FIRST ON FOX: Texas Senate candidate James Talarico once criticized the Texas public school system for focusing too heavily on academics while arguing that social-emotional learning should receive greater attention, and also declaring that Texas schools were “not built” for “poor students” or “students of color.”
“I was trapped in a system that was focused purely on academics, reading, writing, arithmetic. And there wasn’t time to talk about social-emotional learning,” Talarico said in a 2020 discussion with Texas Rising â a progressive youth activist group.
“All the things that we all know on this call are more important than whether or not you memorize the quadratic equation,” he continued.
‘FAKE’ MODERATE TALARICO’S TEXAS SURGE TESTS PAXTON IN FIGHT TO HOLD CRUCIAL GOP SENATE SEAT
Talarico made the comments while serving in the Texas House of Representatives, representing the 52nd District, after working as a public school teacher for just two years. His time working in education became a central point in his work in the legislature and now in his Senate campaign.
In the unearthed discussion, Talarico said that he felt like he wasnt able to have “the really important conversations” with his students that “would allow them to live a fulfilling life.” He said that he was, instead, forced to focus on teaching the school curriculum rather than “social-emotional” lessons.
He also used the discussion to slam the Texas public school system as “not built” for “poor students” and “students of color.”
“Our public education system, particularly here in Texas, is not built for poor students,” Talarico said. “It’s not built for students of color. “
UNEARTHED CLIP SHOWS TALARICO CALLING PARENTS ‘ABUSIVE’ FOR DENYING CHILDREN’S GENDER IDENTITY
Talarico claimed this motivated him to introduce his “Whole Student Agenda” in 2019 â a series of 24 bills which pushed for a variety of reforms including modifications for “scientifically-accurate” sex education and encouraging restorative justice programs. Despite Talarico saying the system is “not built for students of color,” the package does not specifically address race-related issues.
The Texas Democrat has repeatedly been under fire for his progressive education work in the legislature, particularly his push for sexual education, DEI policies, law enforcement reforms and climate conversations.
Talarico described sex education as “maybe the most important topic” for Texas students to learn during a Texas House hearing in 2022. He also characterized bills addressing concerns about inappropriate school materials as “conspiracy theory-driven” and “kooky stuff.”
TALARICO CAMPAIGNS WITH SURGEON WHO OPERATED ON TRANSGENDER MINORS: WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING
