A new face will represent North Texas on State Board of Education. Here are her priorities
Following the resignation of State Board of Education member Aicha Davis, one name is on the ballot in parts of Tarrant and Dallas counties for the board’s District 13 seat.Democrat Tiffany Clark, a former DeSoto ISD school board member and longtime school counselor, was chosen to complete Davis’ unexpired term through a precinct chair election held in August. Davis, who did not respond to requests for comment, resigned from the position after winning the Democratic nomination for Texas House District 109 in March. She chose to resign early so that a candidate could be nominated to the ballot rather than the governor appointing someone to serve the remainder of her term, according to the Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. With a passion for mental health advocacy, Clark is now running unopposed in the upcoming Nov. 5 election to represent cities like DeSoto, Duncanville, Everman, Forest Hill and parts of Dallas and Fort Worth. The term lasts until 2026.The 15-member State Board of Education’s responsibilities include setting curriculum standards, reviewing and adopting instructional materials, establishing graduation requirements and overseeing the Texas Permanent School Fund. Though her road to the State Board of Education was not one she initially planned, Clark said she wants to build on her legacy of service. After completing six years as a school board trustee, Clark intended to take a break from politics. “I had just finished my term, and I thought, ‘OK, it’s time to step back and regroup.’ I wanted to focus on life outside of the public eye for a bit,” she said. However, Davis, who is now running unopposed for the Texas House seat, approached Clark and encouraged her to run. “I wasn’t planning to jump back in, but when Aicha resigned and asked me to step in, I felt it was important,” Clark said. After winning 68% of the vote in a Democratic precinct chair election involving representatives from both Dallas and Tarrant counties, Clark was officially nominated to fill the vacancy.Clark’s experience on the DeSoto ISD board helped her develop a unique understanding of the challenges educators, students and administrators face, she said. “In 2017, I ran for the school board because I wanted to push academic achievement in a district that was heavily focused on sports,” Clark said. While the DeSoto High School varsity football team won the 6A Division II State Championship in 2022, the district also noticed academic growth during Clark’s tenure on the board.In 2018, 31% of students met grade level in all subjects on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, test. By 2023, 36% of students met grade level in all subjects.During her time in DeSoto, Clark said she led several initiatives, including passing mental health policies for staff and adopting African American and Mexican American studies. As the State Board of Education is expected to review new social studies standards in 2025, new board members will play a role in deciding what schools teach in history classes.“We were proud to do that,” Clark said. Clark also spurred the “Return Home Initiative,” she said, which incentivized DeSoto alumni to return and teach in the district. The program slowed teacher turnover rates, she said.“We wanted to show that education could be a career path that’s fulfilling while giving back to the community,” she said. A counselor by profession, Clark emphasized that mental health will be her top priority as part of the State Board of Education, especially considering new state school safety laws enacted in 2023.“We hear about mental health all the time, especially in connection with school violence,” Clark said. “But the issue is, school counselors aren’t licensed professional counselors. So how can we start bringing in those services our school districts don’t have?”Clark also stressed the importance of aligning academic policies with mental health — it isn’t just about supporting students emotionally, she said.“If a kid is struggling with anxiety that directly affects their school performance, they’re more frustrated, then you’re creating a circular effect without actually solving the problem,” Clark said. “We need reputable people who can engage with our students’ mental health. Who’s going to be that bridge for those students?”She also voiced concerns about the STAAR test. Clark cites both personal and professional frustrations with the test.“I see students break down when they fail the STAAR, and it makes me question whether this test truly reflects their abilities,” Clark said. “I know from experience — when I was in high school, I almost didn’t graduate because of standardized testing. But here I am, with four degrees.”Clark believes the key is to align testing more closely with classroom curriculum, which she doesn’t see being done.“If we’re going to test students, the test needs to match what they’re learning. We shouldn’t define success with a single test score,” she said. Though Clark has not yet confirmed whether she will run for a full term in 2026, she hinted she is leaning toward it. “This seat gives me an opportunity to continue advocating for policies that align education with real-world needs and mental health support,” she said.For now, Clark is focused on listening to constituents and preparing for her term. Regardless of their path, whether it be college, trade school or something else entirely, Clark hopes to make education relevant and accessible to every student, she said.“I want to be a voice for students,” Clark said.The 2024 election is the first under a redrawn map that expanded District 13 to include more parts of north Dallas.Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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