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Tiffany Clark
2025 - Present
2027
0
Tiffany Clark (Democratic Party) is a member of the Texas State Board of Education, representing District 13. She assumed office on January 1, 2025. Her current term ends on January 1, 2027.
Clark (Democratic Party) ran in a special election to the Texas State Board of Education to represent District 13. She won in the special general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Tiffany Clark earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in 2011, a graduate degree from the University of North Texas in 2013, and a Ph.D. from Abilene Christian University in 2020. Clark's career experience includes working as an adjunct professor, small business owner, independent beauty consultant, co-founder, and high school counselor.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Texas State Board of Education election, 2024
General election
Special general election for Texas State Board of Education District 13
Tiffany Clark won election in the special general election for Texas State Board of Education District 13 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tiffany Clark (D) | 100.0 | 418,823 |
| Total votes: 418,823 | |||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Clark in this election.
2017
Three of the seven seats on the DeSoto Independent School District board of trustees were up for general election on May 6, 2017. Place 3 incumbent Karen Daniel defeated former board member Van Stripling and challengers Demetric Brown and Jeremy Woods. Tiffany Clark defeated Place 4 incumbent Jerry Hall, DeAndrea Fleming, and Krystal Denise Sams in the race for the Place 4 seat. In the race for the Place 5 seat, incumbent Aubrey Hooper defeated challengers A'Londa Barber, Laneshia Jordan, and Darrell Porter.[2][3]
Results
| DeSoto Independent School District, Place 4 General Election, 3-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Tiffany Clark |
52.45% | 1,091 |
| Jerry Hall Incumbent | 22.84% | 475 |
| DeAndrea Fleming | 16.35% | 340 |
| Krystal Denise Sams | 8.37% | 174 |
| Total Votes | 2,080 | |
| Source: Dallas County Elections, "2017 Joint Election," accessed September 20, 2017 | ||
Funding
Clark reported no contributions or expenditures to the Dallas County Elections Office as of May 1, 2017.[4]
Endorsements
Clark was endorsed by community leaders and former officials. Click here to see a list of her supporters.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tiffany Clark did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2017
Candidate website
Clark highlighted the following statement on her campaign website:
| “ | Why Tiffany for DeSoto ISD School Board?
Academics
Accountability
Achievements
|
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[6] | ||
The Dallas Morning News survey
Clark participated in the following survey conducted by The Dallas Morning News. The questions provided by The Dallas Morning News appear bolded, and Clark's responses follow below.
Why are you running for this office, and why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
| “ | I am running for the school board because we can do better. Our students in DeSoto deserve a top-notch education right now. My experience as a graduate of DeSoto High School, a science teacher at DeSoto West and an active member of the DeSoto community, gives me a unique insight into what our schools need in order to become high achieving. DeSoto is one of the strongest communities in Texas and there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t have a top school district. We need school board members that understand the urgency of providing our students with the best education – period. Right now.
My entire life has been dedicated to education and young people. I received my Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Houston, Masters in Education from UNT and I am now pursuing my Doctorate in Education from Abilene Christian University. There’s only one candidate in this race who has attended, graduated and taught in DeSoto ISD schools. We need that insight on the school board now more than ever. I am ready to serve.[5] |
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
If elected, what two issues would you give the most attention and resources?
| “ | 1) Focus on Academics by Investing in the Classroom. I will work to strengthen our curriculum and raise the expectations for our students when it comes to academic performance, while also giving our teachers the support they need to facilitate a strong learning environment in the classroom. Although DeSoto students matriculate to post-secondary institutions of learning at a strong rate, far too many of our graduates are forced to complete remediation courses in their first year. If elected, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the curriculum aligns with the education best practices and sets a standard that all DeSoto students deserve.
2. Accountability – DeSoto ISD must raise our Accountability Standards and I will work to: •Give our students the tools needed to be academically and socially successful; we will expect and demand personal accountability from every student, every day! •Hold our administrators accountable for results. DeSoto is too strong of a community to not have excellent public schools- in every sense imaginable. Once elected, my goal will be to push DeSoto ISD to become a model school district not just for minority students but all students in the state of Texas, regardless of race or income. DeSoto has all the tools needed to achieve the very top of the accountability ratings, and working together- we will get there! •Continue to be financially responsible and good stewards of taxpayer money with transparent records of budget items and more funds that go directly to the classroom to benefit students. When the economy is strong, we must increase fund balance (savings account) and lower property taxes when it is financially prudent. •With increased accountability, we must also RAISE TEACHER PAY so that our most important employees know that they are valued and respected.[5] |
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
For non-incumbent trustees: Have you attended any school board meetings? If so, what have you learned about how a board member can be effective?
| “ | Yes, I have attended or watched every school board meeting for the past three years. Effective school board members always consider this fundamental question: What is best for the students? Our school board must work together as one body to advance the interests of our students and our schools. We don’t need school board members who are focused on individual agendas, we need results – and that’s exactly the approach I will bring to the school board.[5] | ” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
As you look around the country, what innovative ideas would you recommend for improving classroom performance?
| “ | We must give teachers the academic freedom to use their creativity in the classroom. This also means we should not continue teaching to the test. We already have great teachers experimenting with innovative ideas. For example, we should expand the ‘flip classroom’ concept where teachers assign class lectures for students to watch at home, and have student’s complete homework during the class day with the assistance staff – so they can ask questions and receive help right away. This technique has been especially helpful for students with disabilities. We also need a stronger connection with our city and community counterparts in order to get professionals into our classroom and in front of our students – the real world learning experience will make the lessons come alive for our students and will improve classroom performance.
Finally, we need to perfect the collegiate, technical and magnet programs and expand our offerings so that every student has an individualized education plan that maximizes their talents and skills. DeSoto has the academic framework in place to be an academic powerhouse. Now we have to spend the time, energy and resources needed to make sure the programs run like a well-oiled machine. I am confident that my experience as a science teacher and counselor will help improve these programs and increase student performance.[5] |
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
Given the current funding structure, how does your district meet the academic needs of its low-income students? Are you willing to ask voters to approve a tax increase to create or expand these programs?
| “ | We do not need a tax increase. Our financial standing is one of the highlights of the school district and our community should be proud. I am especially encouraged by the nearly $17 million in the District’s rainy day fund. The District has invested and found programs that supplement the needs of our low-income students, such as the Breakfast for All program and the expansion of Pre-K to include all students that qualify. We need to do a better job of making sure that more funds are going towards the classroom, and less money is spent on overhead costs. We also need to continue to aggressively go after federal, state and private grants like the Gear Up grant aimed at college readiness for low to middle income students. These programs and finances are creative ways to supplement our local budget and I will advocate for expanded grant opportunities once elected.
DeSoto’s taxes are already high enough and it makes sense financially to lower taxes, we should consider that option.[5] |
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
Many districts are exploring creative ways to save money or shift costs to parents and students. What creative measures would you favor or oppose and why?
| “ | Our parents are already tax-payers and while our national economy is doing well, there is no need to burden families with additional costs or taxes.[5] | ” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
The state has adopted an A through F accountability system for district and campuses. Do you favor or oppose this system and why?
| “ | In its current state, the A-F takes a narrow approach on how our schools are graded. There are teachers every day who are giving 110% to improve student achievement and any accountability system that we use should reflect this hard work. That said, whatever system the Texas Education Agency uses to grade public schools, DeSoto must do everything we can do to make sure that we are the very BEST. This means we must hold our administrators accountable for the results our schools receive. I will work tirelessly to make the community understands what our schools are doing well and what areas we need to improve. We can’t make excuses and we must always rise to the occasion when it comes to student achievement.[5] | ” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
How would you assess the district’s efforts to improve graduation rates and increase the number of students prepared for college? What further improvements would you advocate?
| “ | Our graduation rate has remained fairly steady even with our changing demographics – but we can do better. We must continue to focus our curriculum on college and career readiness, so that every student has the chance to be successful at the next level – whether military, college, or the job market. Early intervention and attention for students who are at-risk for dropping out must take place. My experience as a high school counselor and insight in the field will be an asset as we continue to find ways to increase our graduation rate and college readiness. One of my main focuses on the school board will be reducing the number of students that take remediation courses in college. We must end this now by raising our academic offerings.
Additionally, I will take personally accountability to improve Alumni Relations. We have very successful DeSoto Alumni and we need to galvanize their talents and resources in order to help the current students plan their next career moves. I created a very successful program called Project E.D.G.E., which brought DeSoto Alumni back to the classrooms to speak to students about their personal experiences in a variety of careers. Our students need to see, touch and feel what a DeSoto High School Alumni can achieve. I will make it my personal mission to inspire our students by working hand in hand with DeSoto Alumni to provide real support.[5] |
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
What schools in your district have been particularly effective in getting every child up to grade level in reading and math?
| “ | Cockrell Hill elementary does a fantastic job challenging our students to be successful and on grade level. We must expand practices that work and spread those to schools throughout the District.[5] | ” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
How would you assess your district’s current school choice efforts, and what changes are needed?
| “ | Currently, DeSoto offers an array of school choice options. Fine Arts Academy at Woodridge, Linguistics at Cockrell, Science and Technology, Business and Law – you name it and DeSoto has a program. Right now, we must perfect these programs. It’s not enough to have a name attached to a school. But we have to give our schools the resources to make sure our teachers have the training and our principals have the tools needed to make our concepts a reality. In five years, we should have a goal of every student participating in an internship that corresponds to their endorsement pathway to help them to start working right away. We also need more community buy-in for our academy programs. DeSoto is too strong of a community to expect anything less.[5] | ” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
How would you assess your superintendent’s performance?
| “ | Dr. Harris and his staff have brought a lot of good programs to DeSoto. Now is the time to move from implementation to results. As a board member, I will look at the results – in academics, finances and student performance to determine the Superintendent’s performance.[5] | ” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
Where do you stand on the importance of early-childhood education? Would you support increasing class-size ratios at other grade levels in order to introduce or expand pre-K?
| “ | Early childhood education is vital; as we know that the human brain development happens most critically at the age of three. I do not support increasing the class size ratio and we are blessed in DeSoto to have Amber Terrace as an early childhood center to help with over-population. Now that we have all of our youngest learners in one location, it is time to make sure that they are getting the very best start possible. We should immediately start introducing them to a second language and STEM-based learning so that they enter Kindergarten with the skills needed to SOAR.[5] | ” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
What resources are lacking in schools in your district? How could the district deliver services in the most cost-effective manner?
| “ | We need to make sure more money is invested in the classroom and not in overhead. We also need to focus on college and career readiness that is relevant to the 21st century economy. We have a great opportunity to restructure our school day with the recent legislation passed by the Texas Legislature that no longer requires a set number of school days as long as students receive 75,600 minutes of instruction time. This means that we can structure our school day to replicate a collegiate setting, so that project-based programs like iSTEAM can produce better outcomes. Right now, there is a disconnect between the needs of students in the 21st century economy and the structure of a college/vocational education. For example, while our students benefit from group and team projects, higher education is not set up for group learning. Each student is required to earn their grade the old fashion way. So we have to structure our school day to prepare our students for success in college / vocational training and ensure they have experience solving problems in a team environment. With new flexibility we can create learning labs that accommodate time for both lectures and projects. This while ensure that we use time efficiently and achieve better results long term.
We also need to have more student, teacher, parent and community involvement in the budgeting process. The school board needs to listen to what the stakeholders think is more important to help set priorities about how we spend money as a District.[5] |
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
In what ways can your district’s communications with parents be improved? Likewise, how can parental involvement in your district improve?
| “ | District communication through social media and phone calls has improved and is helpful. DeSoto should be more creative in how we deliver messages, especially when we talk about the success of DeSoto students and academic programs. We have to use the connections of the community to make sure we are getting out our accomplishments beyond the traditional outlets.
Parental involvement is the cornerstone of a good school district. We can’t just ask parents to show up, we also have to meet parents where they are. From sporting events to recitals to neighborhood meetings, the District has to be creative in how we disseminate important information to our parents. And we need parents to understand how important their involvement is to the success of our schools. We are living in a fast-paced society and it is crucial that the District partner with parents because it’s the only way to ensure our students are well served[5] |
” |
| —Tiffany Clark (2017)[7] | ||
Campaign finance summary
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See also
| Texas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
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Candidate Texas State Board of Education District 13 |
Officeholder Texas State Board of Education District 13 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Dr. Tiffany Clark," accessed October 25, 2024
- ↑ DeSoto Independent School District, "Board Member Election," accessed February 19, 2017
- ↑ Dallas County Elections, "Unofficial Cumulative Results," accessed May 6, 2017These election results are unofficial and will be updated after official vote totals are made available.
- ↑ Dallas County Elections, "Campaign Reporting," accessed May 1, 2017
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Tiffany Clark, "Why Tiffany?" accessed April 19, 2017
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 The Dallas Morning News, "Voter Guide: DeSoto ISD, Place 4," accessed May 3, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Leslie Recine (R) |
Texas State Board of Education District 13 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
DeSoto Independent School District, Place 4 2017 |
Succeeded by - |
 |
State of Texas Austin (capital) |
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