Texas think tank accuses Houston parent coalition of using 'socialist' tactics to push radical agenda

A conservative Texas think tank is warning against a Houston education advocacy coalition, accusing the group of using socialist-aligned tactics to push radical policies in public schools.

In a report released by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), researchers argue that Community Voices for Public Education (CVPE) — which presents itself as a grassroots group of parents, teachers and community members — acts as a front for teachers' unions and far-left organizations working to preserve the status quo.

"There are several policies that they're advocating for which are questionable at best, but very harmful," Kate Bierly, campaign director for TPPF's Next Generation Texas Campaign, told Fox News Digital.

WATCHDOG REPORT EXPOSES TEACHERS UNION 'POLITICAL MACHINE' FUNNELING MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO LIBERAL CAUSES CVPE has been an outspoken opponent of the state's 2023 takeover of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), Texas's largest school district.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) intervened following years of academic underperformance at select campuses — a move that drew sharp accusations of political overreach from critics.

State metrics, however, show noticeable academic gains since the intervention.

Reading and math scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) improved among grades 3 through 8 over the past three school years, while the number of A- and B-rated campuses in HISD jumped from 93 to 197.

SHOCKING PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS IDENTIFY AS 'DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' ACCORDING TO NEW POLL: 'TOXIC POLICIES' "F-rated campuses went from 56 to five, and the whole district moved from a C rating to a B rating," Bierly said.

"The results were amazing.

But from this, several critics emerged ... suggesting destructive replacement policies.

One of the main groups behind these proposals is CVPE." The local group, Bierly said, uses tactics similar to those employed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has gained traction in recent years as a political force with the election of several DSA-endorsed candidates across various levels of government.

DSA CO-CHAIR PUSHES BACK ON SOVIET UNION COMPARISONS, WANTS PRISONS TO BE 'LESS NECESSARY' Beyond opposing the state takeover, CVPE advocates against mandatory STAAR testing and urges parents to boycott the exams .

The group also calls for divesting from campus policing — ending student arrests except in severe cases such as murder — and encourages participation in walkouts and political protests.

TPPF contends that CVPE actively instructs parents on how to organize student demonstrations outside schools, while CVPE maintains that peaceful advocacy is essential to improving school environments and curricula.