Texas Rural Education Association

08/11/2026

Rural schools deserve a strong voice in the conversations shaping public education across Texas.

TREA works year-round to ensure the needs, challenges, and successes of rural districts are represented at the Capitol and in statewide discussions. Together, our members strengthen the collective voice of rural education.

Join or renew your district’s membership for the 2026–2027 membership year beginning September 1—and help us continue championing rural schools across Texas.

08/03/2026

Patti Everitt – Rural Impact Award

Recognizing a Lasting Impact on Rural Education

During the 2026 TREA Annual Conference, TREA was honored to present Patti Everitt with the TREA Rural Impact Award.

The Rural Impact Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to rural schools and communities. Patti Everitt is an independent consultant who provides factual information regarding the history of charter schools in Texas, as well as the impact the charter school system has on public school districts in Texas. Patti assists districts in providing Impact statements when a charter system is being proposed in their rural community.

Her dedication to equipping school leaders with the information they need to advocate for their students and communities has made a meaningful difference for rural education across Texas.

Congratulations, Patti, and thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening rural schools and the communities they serve.

07/30/2026

07/24/2026

Your rural voice starts here.

The 2026–2027 TREA membership year begins September 1, and now is the time to join the statewide network built specifically for rural Texas schools.

TREA membership connects your district with year-round advocacy, access to the TREA Legal Services Program, rural education leaders across Texas, and an annual conference designed around the needs of rural schools. Your membership also includes membership with the National Rural Education Association, extending your district’s connections and representation beyond Texas.

Join TREA today and make sure your district has a voice at the table.

Learn more and join: https://www.txrea.com/join-today-

07/22/2026

During the 2026 TREA Annual Conference, we were proud to present State Representative Drew Darby with the TREA Distinguished Service Award.

Representative Darby has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to rural public education through his leadership, accessibility, and dedication to serving Texas schools. His willingness to listen to educators, understand the unique challenges facing rural districts, and take meaningful legislative action has made a lasting impact on students, educators, and communities across our state.

Congratulations, Representative Darby, and thank you for your distinguished service to Texas rural schools!

Drew Darby for Texas

07/15/2026

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

07/13/2026

We were honored to spend time last week with Lubbock Christian University’s Ed.D. cohort for a meaningful discussion about rural education, advocacy, and leadership in Texas.

TREA Executive Director Bill Tarleton, Director of Operations Bonnie Walker, and Administrative Assistant Sheryl Tarleton shared more about TREA’s work, how education policy is formed and influenced, and the role statewide advocacy organizations play in supporting public schools. The conversation also explored how legislative and regulatory decisions affect rural districts and the importance of ensuring rural voices are represented at every level.

Thank you to Lubbock Christian University and this outstanding group of educators and school leaders for inviting TREA to be part of your learning experience. We appreciated the thoughtful questions, engaging discussion, and opportunity to share more about our work on behalf of rural schools across Texas!

07/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 TREA Annual Conference our biggest year ever!

With over 1,000 participants, incredible sessions, meaningful connections, and a record-breaking $100,500 awarded in scholarships and awards, this year was truly one to remember.

We are so grateful for our rural education community, sponsors, exhibitors, presenters, members, and attendees who continue to make TREA so special.

We can’t wait to see you next year, Monday, June 21 - Thursday, June 24, 2027!

07/07/2026

TREA membership is more than annual dues.

Member districts have access to state and federal advocacy, NREA membership, legal support through Powell Law Group, LLP, partnerships and resources, statewide networking, OTY Awards, student scholarships, the Annual Conference and much more!

TREA is year-round support for rural school leaders — because this is where rural matters.

Renew or join by September 1 to secure your membership for the 2026-2027 year!

Learn more: https://www.txrea.com/join-today-

07/02/2026

Will you be there? Hope to see you in San Antonio!

Join us October 19–21 in San Antonio, TX, for the 2026 . Register now: https://cvent.me/nLE24v