Education in the state of Texas is in peril. Politicians, including Governor Greg Abbott, continue to enforce dictator-like legislation, or the lack thereof, to serve their personal agendas.
With the state still reeling from the teacher shortage that spiked during the COVID pandemic, quality educators continue to flee the career as testing and behavior problems increase and pay remains stagnant.
Abbott has stated that he will not approve the inflation adjustment rate for public school funding unless his voucher legislation passes.
This legislation would grant families who choose to send their children to private school tax dollars even though private schools have no state oversight or regulations.
In a society where public education is overregulated and scrutinized to the point children have to be taught to take a test instead of how to imagine, explore, and discover speaks to how much freedom would be given to private schools with the same tax payers’ money.
These funds would also purely serve as a discount to affluent families as they would not cover the full cost of tuition.
With these funds reallocated away from public schools, public classrooms will continue to suffer and fall behind.
Public school education is vital for society as it provides a means for all children to receive an education and be afforded opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
The best way to combat generational poverty is through education. Providing all students with quality teachers, supplies, facilities, and accommodations is a vital requirement to move society in a positive direction.
Education should not be controlled by politicians who may know about running a business but have limited insight into what it means to connect with students and help them find their path.
Though this country has made great strides in moving toward equality, the state legislature seems to covet the division that money can create.
Access to a quality education should be a right, not a privilege afforded to a select few.
As proud Texans, it is painful that many politicians view public education as an obstacle families must avoid instead of embracing the opportunity that is provided to all students to better themselves.
–The Norseman Staff
