Who We Are

Who We Are

Founded in 1995, the Coalition for Public Schools is comprised of religious, child advocacy,and education organizations representing more than 3,000,000 Texans statewide. A description of the Coalition’s members follows.

The Coalition opposes expenditure of public funds to support private and religious schools through mechanisms such as tuition vouchers and tax credits. The Coalition supports school choice options within Texas public schools, including approaches such as magnet schools, open-enrollment campuses, and public school transfers. We believe vouchers are a political distraction from the state's top priority: providing high quality neighborhood public schools that meet the educational needs of every Texas child.

Religious Organizations

The American Jewish Committee has worked since 1906 to safeguard and strengthen Jews and Jewish life worldwide by promoting democratic and pluralistic societies that respect the dignity of all peoples.

The American Jewish Congress is an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy - using diplomacy,
legislation, and the courts.

Since it was founded in 1981, Americans for Religious Liberty has steadfastly supported the constitutional principle of separation of church and state that is the indispensable guarantor of religious and intellectual freedom, religiously neutral democratic public education, and individual freedom of conscience.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State was founded in 1947 by a broad coalition of religious, educational and civic leaders. At that time, proposals were pending in the U.S. Congress to extend government aid to private religious schools. Many Americans opposed this idea, insisting that government support for religious education would violate church-state separation. The decision was made to form a national organization to promote this point of view and defend the separation principle.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. ADL’s mandate is to “stop the defamation of the Jewish people” and to “secure justice and fair treatment for all.”

The Christian Life Commission was established in 1950 with the assignment of speaking to and with, but not for Texas Baptists on a wide range of ethical, moral and public policy issues.

The Jewish Federation of San Antonio is the coordinating and convening body dedicated to building Jewish Community, to nurturing the quality of Jewish life, and to securing a favorable Jewish future in San Antonio, Israel and worldwide.

The National Council of Jewish Women is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Pastors for Peace is a special ministry of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization, and was created in 1988 to pioneer the delivery of humanitarian aid to Latin America and the Carribean.

Texas Impact is a statewide religious grassroots network whose members include individuals, congregations, and governing bodies of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. Texas Impact exists to advance state public policies that are consistent with universally held social principles of the Abrahamic traditions.

Advocacy Organizations

The ACLU of Texas is proud to be the eighth largest ACLU affiliate in the United States, with more than 17,000 card-carrying members across our state. The ACLU of Texas and its predecessor, the Texas Civil Liberties Union, have been at the forefront of the struggle for civil rights in Texas since 1938.

Advocacy Inc. is dedicated to advocating for, protecting and advancing the legal, human and service rights of people with disabilities.

Founded in 1950, the Arc of Texas is the oldest and largest nonprofit, volunteer organization in the state committed to expanding opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is the largest and oldest Hispanic Organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy.

People For the American Way is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way.

The Texas AFL-CIO is a state federation of labor unions representing 220,000 members in Texas. Texas AFL-CIO advocates for working people—union and non-union alike—in the political and legislative arenas.

Texas Parent Teacher Association is a grassroots organization made up of parents, teachers and others around the state who have a special interest in children, families and schools. PTA membership is as diverse as Texas is in cultures, education levels and parenting skills — over 630,000 strong across Texas.

The Texas Freedom Network advances a mainstream agenda of religious freedom and individual liberties to counter the religious right.

Education Organizations

Since its first meeting in 1881, American Association of University Women has been a catalyst for change. Today, with more than 100,000 members, 1,300 branches, and 500 college and university partners, AAUW contributes to a more promising future and provides a powerful voice for women and girls—a voice that cannot and will not be ignored.

Association of Texas Professional Educators, with the strength of more than 112,000 educators as its foundation, ATPE is a constant champion for public education. ATPE members are committed to making positive contributions to the education profession and to the lives of students.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Parents for Public Schools is a national organization of community-based chapters working with public school parents and other supporters to improve and strengthen local public schools. We believe that quality public education is vital to our democracy and to America’s future.

The Texas AFT is the Texas State Affiliate of the 1.3 million-member American Federation of Teachers and represents more than 57,000 members statewide.

The Texas Association for Bilingual Education promotes equal education opportunities through educational policies and bilingual-bicultural programs for ESL/Bilingual students.

The Texas Association of Community Schools represents school districts with no more than one high school. The organization’s membership is comprised of the small, mid-sized and rural school districts in Texas. There are 986 school districts eligible for membership.

The Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is an organization of educators and parents dedicated to meeting the unique needs of gifted and talented students. Chartered in 1978, TAGT is the nation’s largest state advocacy group of its kind, providing nearly 3,500 members and friends of gifted youth a forum for exchanging ideas and information about the education of gifted and talented students.

The Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools promotes equitable funding of education resources while addressing disparities in size and diseconomies of scale.

Texas Association of School Administrators was founded in 1925. The association's membership includes public school superintendents and administrators, education service center staff, college and university professors and students, and others interested in public education.

Created in 1949, the Texas Association of School Boards is a voluntary, nonprofit, statewide educational association that serves and represents local Texas school districts.

The Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators promotes the support of human resources administrators in the public education system.

The Texas Association of Secondary School Principals is an association formed by and for over 5,000 campus level administrators. Established in 1922, its purpose is to build an active network of educators that want to take responsibility for the quality of school leadership.

The Texas Classroom Teachers Association was founded in 1927 by a group of classroom teachers committed to the idea that Texas teachers should have an independent advocate looking out for their best interests.

The Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc. is a professional society comprised of nearly 1,200 members who administer and support special education programs throughout the state of Texas.

The Texas Counseling Association provides leadership, advocacy and education to promote the growth and development of the counseling profession and those who are served.

The Texas Educational Support Staff Association is the only professional association for educational support personnel in public schools, educational service centers, private schools, colleges and universities in Texas.

Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association is a diverse and supportive community of professional leaders committed to providing quality education for all Texas elementary and middle school students. Founded in 1917, TEPSA represents more than 5,300 school administrators who supervise over 100,000 teachers who direct the activities of more than 2.3 million school children.

Founded in 1953, Texas Retired Teachers Association is the largest association for retired public school and higher education employees.

The Texas School Public Relations Association is a professional organization whose members are dedicated to improving public education in Texas by: promoting effective public relations practices, providing professional development for members and improving communications between Texans and their public schools.

The Texas State Teachers Association will unite, organize and empower public education advocates to shape public education in Texas thus providing a quality public school for every child.