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Eric earned an associate's degree from Houston Community College, a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Eric Dick is a Department of Education board member in Harris County, Precinct 3. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his 2nd term. 

Candidate website

Supports bilingual education programs, especially in early grades.

Supports providing bilingual education programs, especially in early grades.

Believes schools must teach safe, ethical, and responsible technology use, addressing privacy, security, and digital citizenship.

Believes schools must teach safe, ethical, and responsible technology use.

Wants to incorporate more technical training in the school curriculum to prepare students for alternative career pathways.

Plans to increase STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) offerings to prepare students for the modern world.

Supports more opportunities for students to engage in local issues through service learning projects, student government programs, and partnerships with community organizations.

Advocates for more hands-on opportunities for students to engage in local causes, including service projects and partnerships with community organizations.

Supports the right of students to voluntarily express their religious beliefs at school as long as such expressions do not disrupt the educational environment or infringe on the rights of others.

Believes in separating religion from the school curriculum. 

- Supports providing bilingual education programs, especially in early grades.
- Believes schools must teach safe, ethical, and responsible technology use.
- Wants to incorporate more technical training in the school curriculum to prepare students for alternative career pathways.
- Plans to increase STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) offerings to prepare students for the modern world.
- Advocates for more hands-on opportunities for students to engage in local causes, including service projects and partnerships with community organizations.
- Believes in separating religion from the school curriculum. 

School Curriculum

Supports equitable funding formulas that consider each school's and student population's unique needs.

Plans to implement fair funding formulas that consider each school's and student population's unique needs.

Supports personalized learning technologies, such as adaptive software and intelligent tutoring systems, to help students learn at their own pace and receive targeted support based on their individual needs.

Supports personalized learning technologies, such as adaptive software and intelligent tutoring, to help students learn at their own pace and receive targeted support based on their individual needs.

- Plans to implement fair funding formulas that consider each school's and student population's unique needs.
- Supports personalized learning technologies, such as adaptive software and intelligent tutoring, to help students learn at their own pace and receive targeted support based on their individual needs.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports integrating mental health services in schools and has advocated for increased staffing of counselors, social workers, and psychologists and implementing evidence-based practices like trauma-informed care and social-emotional learning.

Plans to hire more counselors, social workers, and psychologists in schools.

- Plans to hire more counselors, social workers, and psychologists in schools.

Student Wellbeing

Supports competitive salaries and benefits for teachers, as well as pay scales that reward excellence and offer career advancement opportunities.

Wants more competitive salaries and benefits for teachers, as well as pay scales that reward excellence and offer career advancement opportunities.

Supports professional development and continuous learning opportunities for teachers.

Advocates for professional development and continuous learning opportunities for teachers.

Supports initiatives to recruit and retain a diverse, highly skilled teacher workforce, particularly in high-need schools and hard-to-staff subject areas.

Supports efforts to attract diverse, highly skilled teachers, particularly in high-need schools and hard-to-staff subject areas.

- Wants more competitive salaries and benefits for teachers, as well as pay scales that reward excellence and offer career advancement opportunities.
- Advocates for professional development and continuous learning opportunities for teachers.
- Supports efforts to attract diverse, highly skilled teachers, particularly in high-need schools and hard-to-staff subject areas.

Teachers

Supports targeted interventions and support services to address systemic barriers for students from low-income families, English language learners, students with disabilities, and students of color.

Wants assistance like "targeted interventions" and "support services" to address obstacles for students from low-income families, English language learners, disabled students, and students of color.

- Wants assistance like "targeted interventions" and "support services" to address obstacles for students from low-income families, English language learners, disabled students, and students of color.

Access to Education

Eric Dick

Eric Dick is currently a Department of Education board member in Harris County, Precinct 3. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his 2nd term. 

Believes effective financial management includes strategic allocation and utilization of economic resources.

Believes in using taxpayer dollars efficiently to benefit students and families.

Supports using a research-backed curriculum that emphasizes developmentally appropriate practices, social-emotional learning, and family engagement.

Supports a diverse curriculum that includes academic programs, career and technical education, fine arts, and extracurricular activities.

Believes all schools should be held to high academic standards and have the necessary resources to help every student achieve their full potential.

Believes in teaching students the "fundamental principles of American democracy, including the rule of law, individual liberty, and equal rights."

Supports expanding Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual credit courses, especially in schools with underrepresented students.

Supports a strong emphasis on core academic subjects like math, science, language arts, and social studies, as well as technology integration across the curriculum.

Believes in using technology in ways that enhance human interaction and instruction.

Believes using technology with good teaching will make schools more equitable, engaging, and effective, preparing students for 21st-century success.

Supports using evidence-based instructional strategies, like sheltered instruction, that provide language support while teaching grade-level content.

Supports integrating health education into the curriculum at all grade levels, covering topics such as nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and disease prevention.

Supports investing in school technology infrastructure, including high-speed internet and device access programs, and partnering with community organizations to provide technology resources and training for families.

Believes the average cost per school is $50,000.

Believes in "ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency" when managing school funds and budgets.

Believes the average cost per student is $7,500.

Supports using data and program evaluation to assess the impact and effectiveness of Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) initiatives.

Supports a $15 million annual budget for special education initiatives.

Supports the use of the $8 million annual budget for adult education initiatives to generate an estimated $40 million in long-term benefits, resulting in a 400% return on investment.

Advocated for constructing and renovating Early Head Start facilities to increase capacity and quality of care, expanding centers in Humble, Barrett Station, and La Porte to serve more children and families in need.

Supports establishing a regional flood control district to fund and oversee flood mitigation efforts in greater Houston, prioritizing projects based on risk and need and ensuring equitable resource allocation.

Supports investing in state-of-the-art facilities and resources for schools.

Supports using green infrastructure projects like permeable pavement, rain gardens, and green roofs for flood mitigation.

Supports investing in flood mitigation projects to protect school facilities.

Supports enhancing school facilities, including expanding and improving special education schools.

Advocates for child wellbeing and has been a steady hand and a tireless advocate for the students, families, and staff of HCDE during his tenure on the HCDE Board of Trustees.

Supports the Harris County Department of Education's (HCDE) Center for Safe and Secure Schools, which provides services to help prevent and respond to school emergencies.

Believes in continuously improving school safety initiatives to meet evolving needs and best practices.

Supports initiatives that prepare educators to protect students during emergencies.

Supports child wellbeing and safety, citing an 80% success rate in identifying and addressing potential threats through threat assessments.

Believes in assisting schools with developing emergency response plans to ensure coordinated and effective emergency responses.

Supports using data to evaluate and enhance school safety programs, focusing on effectiveness, satisfaction, and student outcomes.

Supports comprehensive active shooter training for educators, covering prevention, response, recovery, situational awareness, emergency communication, and trauma-informed care.

Supports customized threat assessment services for schools, collaborating with experts and professionals to address unique needs and enhance child safety.

Believes in implementing active shooter training and threat assessment programs to enhance school safety.

As a trustee, supported increased funding for school-based physical, occupational, and music therapy programs for special needs students.

Supports threat assessment services in schools to identify and address potential threats, believing this proactive approach fosters safer learning environments and reduces traumatic incidents.

Advocated for expanding mental health and social-emotional support services to help students and families address pandemic-related stress and trauma.

As a board member, collaborated with the superintendent and other board members to develop a plan to ensure the health, safety, and continuity of learning for HCDE students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wants to invest in teacher preparation and professional development programs.

Supports hiring more teachers and support staff.

Supports initiatives like teacher residency programs to address the teacher shortage, especially in high-need areas.

Supports efforts to elevate the teaching profession and help teachers succeed.

Believes in creating supportive school environments that value teacher expertise and autonomy, and wants to see more opportunities for teachers to have a voice in school decision-making, work together in professional learning communities, and receive meaningful feedback and support from school leaders.

Supports providing teachers with ongoing professional development and resources, including training in second language acquisition, cultural competency, and differentiated instruction.

Believes early childhood education programs should be staffed by skilled, well-compensated educators with specialized training in early childhood development and instruction.

Supports investing in professional development, coaching, and mentoring programs for early childhood educators.

Supports investing in recruiting, training, and retaining highly qualified teachers and support staff.

Supports ongoing professional development opportunities for K-12 educators to effectively integrate STEM, vocational, and arts education into their classrooms.

Supports fair, multi-measure evaluation systems to provide meaningful feedback and support for teachers, while identifying those needing assistance or considering leaving the profession.

Supports providing more professional development opportunities for teachers to learn how to effectively integrate technology into their practice.

Believes HCDE's early childhood education programs are essential for low-income families, saying "In 2020, HCDE ensured that over 1,300 children from low-income families received quality early education despite the challenges posed by the pandemic."

Believes in advocating for innovation, equity, and excellence in education.

Supports diverse educational programs, including CASE for Kids, CASE Debates, Equine Therapy, and the Coolwood Head Start Center.

Supports access to education for all ages and abilities.

Believes access to education improves student behavior and social skills, citing that "80% of students demonstrate improved behavior and social skills..."

Supports adult education and workforce development programs.

Believes in providing every student in Harris County access to a high-quality education.

Supports providing students access to cutting-edge technology and equipment, such as 3D printers, robotics kits, and computer-aided design software, to help develop the technical skills needed for success in STEM fields.

Supports investing in high-quality early childhood education to promote educational equity and ensure children are prepared for kindergarten.

Supports the HCDE Adult Education Program, which offers services like ESL classes, GED preparation, and workforce training.

Supports using technology to create engaging, personalized, and effective learning experiences for all students.

Supports providing high-quality education and support services for English Language Learners (ELLs).

Believes in a collaborative approach for special education programs, involving teachers, therapists, families, and community partners to ensure comprehensive student support and success.

Supports using evidence-based interventions, such as applied behavior analysis, social skills training, and assistive technology, to support students with special needs.

Supports more hands-on opportunities for students to engage in local causes, including service projects and partnerships with community organizations.

- Supports providing bilingual education programs, especially in early grades.
- Believes schools must teach safe, ethical, and responsible technology use.
- Wants to incorporate more technical training in the school curriculum to prepare students for alternative career pathways.
- Plans to increase STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) offerings to prepare students for the modern world.
- Supports more hands-on opportunities for students to engage in local causes, including service projects and partnerships with community organizations.
- Believes in separating religion from the school curriculum. 

Believes in providing bilingual education programs, especially in early grades.

- Believes in providing bilingual education programs, especially in early grades.
- Believes schools must teach safe, ethical, and responsible technology use.
- Wants to incorporate more technical training in the school curriculum to prepare students for alternative career pathways.
- Plans to increase STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) offerings to prepare students for the modern world.
- Supports more hands-on opportunities for students to engage in local causes, including service projects and partnerships with community organizations.
- Believes in separating religion from the school curriculum. 

- Supports equitable funding formulas that consider each school's and student population's unique needs.
- Supports personalized learning technologies, such as adaptive software and intelligent tutoring, to help students learn at their own pace and receive targeted support based on their individual needs.

Supports assistance like "targeted interventions" and "support services" to address obstacles for students from low-income families, English language learners, disabled students, and students of color.

- Supports assistance like "targeted interventions" and "support services" to address obstacles for students from low-income families, English language learners, disabled students, and students of color.

As of September 12, 2024, Eric Dick’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Eric Dick is the founder of Dick Law Firm, PLLC in Houston, Texas, specializing in representing homeowners and business owners against insurance companies. He is also a Board Trustee at the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE).

Eric Dick was elected in 2016 to represent Precinct 4 at the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) and has served as Vice President and President of the Board.