What Bold Education Reform Actually Looks Like from Inside the Capitol | Rep. Caroline Fairly

Texas education is at a turning point, and the leaders shaping that future matter more than ever. Representative Caroline Fairly of Amarillo is one of those leaders. A faith-driven West Texas native with a background in business, federal policy, and healthcare, Rep. Fairly came into her freshman legislative session ready to work — and work she did.She carried HB 1481 — the bill that enabled phone-free learning environments in Texas classrooms — because she was blown away by what she saw: a generation of kids unable to engage, disconnected from their peers, and distracted from the reason they showed up in the first place. What happened after the bill passed may surprise you.We also get into TEFA accounts and what the early rollout of school choice in Texas is actually telling us about what families want, her visit to Success Academy in New York — the school founded by Eva Moskowitz — and what Texas could learn from that model. Plus: the real conversation about screens in classrooms, the research on short-form content and the reading crisis, and what it means to legislate on objectivity instead of emotion when the stakes are this high.Rep. Fairly sits on the House Appropriations Committee, the Natural Resources Committee, and the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education. She is not just checking boxes — she is building a legacy of practical, community-centered leadership.Doctors warn Senate that Gen Z cognitively underperformed previous generation — screen time could be to blameA+ Parenting: The Surprisingly Fun Guide to Raising Surprisingly Smart Kids by Eva MoskowitzAbout The Ashley B. Cash Show: The Ashley B. Cash Show features conversations with education leaders, policy experts, parents, teachers and reform advocates who are working to transform K-12 education. Host Ashley B. Cash brings her perspective as both a parent and business owner to explore systemic education issues and practical solutions for creating better outcomes for students, families, and communities.About Ashley:  As both a mother and business owner, Ashley brings a unique dual perspective to education reform advocacy, driven by her desire for better educational outcomes for future generations and informed by her firsthand experience with the skills gap facing employers today. Her passion for transforming K-12 education stems from witnessing the real-world consequences of educational failures and recognizing the critical need for a system that prepares students for diverse career pathways, not just college. Through this podcast, Ashley champions solutions including aptitude-based education tracks, expanded school choice, practical skills integration, and alternative career pathways that align with students' individual strengths and interests.Follow @AshleyBCashOfficial on Instagram & @Ashley Bowes Cash on Facebook.Visit www.AshleyBCashOfficial.com for more content and features.