“The Texas Legislature now has enough votes to pass school choice.”–Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, May 29, 2024
This statement might very well be true based on the success of the Governor in flipping 13 Republican seats in the May 28 Texas Republican primary runoff held by Republican reps who had been NO votes on the issue in the 2023 legislative session. Of course, as Yogi Berra said, “it ain’t over til it’s over”, and there is critical work to be done before there is a bill on the Governor’s desk next spring, but comprehensive school choice in Texas now for the first time seems a very real possibility, which will be a great day for the state and Texas kids.
Jim,
It will only be great so long as those who support it remain in power. The better path is to also move to have it in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas.
I agree, Jim. This will be a good day for parents and for kids in Texas.
I remain disappointed, however, that the day of high standards and accountability basically ended with policy changes at the beginning of the 2010s. The achievement of our kids then began a long slide downward that has not ended to this day.
The commissioner tries a few things here and there, but nothing of the size and scope, nothing that yet moves the needle.
(Maybe the HISD?)
So, if we can make it to the finish line on choice legislation, it will all be riding on the parents.
Let’s pray for them. Let’s pray that they seek out what excels as much as what is popular. Let’s pray that choice begins to lift achievement more than what studies have shown in the past.
We’ve put our bets here – all our bets.
You’re right, Sandy. All of us in “the movement” have been preaching for several decades that the best accountability is parent accountability. Now it’s our only hope!