The Gist
Member, State Board of Education, District 2

Thomas Ray Garcia

Candidate for Member, State Board of Education, District 2

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Professor
Lives in
Pharr
Campaign website
thomasraygarciatx.com

English professor at South Texas College and a former high school teacher; he founded the College Scholarship Leadership Access Program, a college-readiness nonprofit.

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Documented positions

Education

  • Opposes the state's school voucher program.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I am against our state's school voucher program.”
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  • Opposes the state-developed Bluebonnet Learning curriculum.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I am against the state-developed Bluebonnet Learning curriculum.”
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  • Opposes using STAAR results for school accountability ratings.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I am against using the STAAR to grade public schools”
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  • Supports more school funding and pay raises for school workers.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I support funding increases to Texas public schools, especially for school safety and literacy initiatives. … I support pay increases for school workers.”
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  • Supports making health class a graduation requirement.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I support legislation that would require make Health a mandatory credit for high school students.”
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  • Supports counting ethnic studies toward social studies credits.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I support legislation that would make Ethnic Studies courses count toward the Social Studies credits required for high school graduation.”
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  • Supports local decisions on school library books.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I believe local communities should have the freedom to decide what books belong in their own school libraries.”
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Economy & jobs

  • Supports career and technical programs with local employers.

    Thomas Ray Garcia: Platform

    Campaign website · thomasraygarciatx.com

    “I support CTE programs that enable high school students to gain internships and apprenticeships with local industries.”
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All sources (19)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.