Texas State Agencies | Texapedia

Education State Agencies

Texas State Board of Education

Comprehensive overview of the structure of the 15-member board that sets curriculum for public schools in Texas.

Texapedia StaffNovember 19, 2022

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State Agencies Taxes & Finance

Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Overview of the role and operations of Texas' public pension system for educators.

Texapedia StaffNovember 19, 2022

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Executive Branch State Agencies

Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office manages millions of acres of public land. This article provides a summary of the GLO's structure, governance, and functions.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

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Education State Agencies

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Texas's sprawling public university system coordinates through this agency tasked with long-range strategic planning, eliminating redundancies and data collection.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

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Integrity & Efficiency State Agencies

Texas Facilities Commission

TFC is a state agency that manages a portfolio of real estate on behalf of other state agencies, improving the overall efficiency of state government.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

State Agencies

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Understand the role of Texas' leading environmental regulatory agency, its programs, structure, and history.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

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State Agencies Taxes & Finance

Employees Retirement System of Texas

ERS serves over 500,000 active and retired state employees and manages assets worth about $30 billion.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

Texas Emergency Operations Center

State Agencies

Texas Division of Emergency Management

TDEM is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System, which coordinates disaster response among local, state, and federal agencies.

Texapedia StaffMarch 5, 2025

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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