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Unearthed clip exposes stunning Talarico claim about 'students of color’ in Texas public schools
Developing
In Short: Former teacher Talarico criticized Texas public schools for not focusing on social-emotional learning, drawing new attention.
Former Texas state representative and public school teacher, Talarico, made controversial comments about Texas public schools in a 2020 discussion with Texas Rising, a progressive youth activist group.
Talarico said he felt trapped in a system that prioritized academics over social-emotional learning, stating, 'Our public education system, particularly here in Texas, is not built for poor students.' He emphasized the importance of conversations that would allow students to live fulfilling lives.
In the same discussion, Talarico noted that he was forced to focus on teaching the school curriculum rather than social-emotional lessons, adding, 'All the things that we all know on this call are more important than whether or not you memorize the quadratic equation.'
Talarico's comments come under scrutiny as Fox News Digital reports that a firm employing him received millions of dollars in contracts from the Texas Education Agency while he served on the committee.
Despite his criticism of the system, Talarico's comments do not specifically address race-related issues, though he did mention that the system is 'not built for students of color.'
Talarico has also faced criticism for his stance on sex education and inappropriate school materials, describing bills addressing these concerns as 'conspiracy theory-driven' and 'kooky stuff.' He led a bill in the Texas House requiring most Texas school districts to hire a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer and for DEI to be explicitly taught in every classroom.
Talarico's education consulting work while serving on the Texas House Public Education Committee has also drawn scrutiny, with his campaign denying any wrongdoing and calling the allegation a 'lie.'
What this adds
The new reporting by Fox News highlights the potential conflict of interest in Talarico's consulting work while serving on the committee, adding to the scrutiny of his past comments.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.