Texas Rural Education Association

Rural voices are being heard at the Texas Capitol.

Dr. Brandon Enos, Chair of the TREA Legislative Committee, recently provided invited testimony before the Texas House Committee on Public Education during its discussion of special education.

Dr. Enos shared the challenges school districts are experiencing with special education evaluations and testing requirements, including the financial and administrative burdens these mandates can place on rural districts. He also discussed potential solutions to help ensure districts have the resources necessary to provide these services effectively.

During the hearing, Dr. Enos provided committee members with TREA’s legislative brief, “89th Legislative Session: Impacts on Rural Texas Schools.” Developed from survey responses submitted by TREA member superintendents, the brief outlines the top five concerns facing rural districts following the legislative session, with each issue broken down by the reality, the rural impact, and the ask.

While holding up the brief, Representative Helen Kerwin told Dr. Enos, “This is amazing, by the way. Thank you!”

This moment demonstrates the value of listening to our member districts and placing their concerns directly in the hands of policymakers. The TREA Legislative Committee brings rural perspectives to the forefront of critical legislative conversations at the Texas Capitol.

📄 Read the TREA Legislative Brief
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-N4ge3mFwQgpqGDaBYEhJGwBVZ4e6WI9/view?usp=sharing

🎥 Watch Representative Kerwin’s Response
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v9uIuBCGP9ag9_0hU7bow_QZ7cYMw8kK/view?usp=sharing

For 35 years, TREA has been a voice for rural Texas schools.

The 2026–2027 membership year begins September 1, and rural districts across Texas are invited to join the statewide network built to support their unique needs through advocacy, legal services, the Annual Conference, and much more!

Your rural voice starts here.

Join or renew today: https://www.txrea.com/join-today-