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On Saturday, three Texas state representatives expressed their belief that the upcoming special legislative session regarding education holds the potential for enhanced school funding and improved teacher compensation. These ideas are in high demand and of utmost importance for numerous public schools grappling with a shortage of teachers.
During a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival, the three participants found common ground on only one aspect: “school choice.” This proposal allows parents to withdraw their children from public schools and use taxpayers’ money to enroll them in private institutions, commonly known as school vouchers.
The matter is a legislative priority of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has promised political consequences for lawmakers who stand in the way of a bill’s passage. The special legislative session is expected to begin next month.
Nodding the governor’s persistence, Democratic Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, of San Antonio, said lawmakers should be open to negotiate and focus on securing what they want out of the deal if a “school choice” bill is inevitable. She said teachers need to be paid better and the basic amount of money schools receive per student should increase.
Gervin-Hawkins emphasized the undeniable truth that both our majority party and state leadership are in favor of vouchers. She acknowledged that engaging in endless battles over this issue will only result in wasting valuable time, to the detriment of our teachers struggling to make ends meet and our children who are being deprived of necessary resources.
Gervin-Hawkins’ willingness to compromise on one of the most polarizing issues in the state juxtaposed the stance of her Democratic colleague Rep. James Talarico of Austin, who said vouchers of any size would be a threat to public education. Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, on the other hand, said such a school voucher program would give parents more power to make decisions about their children’s education.
Gervin-Hawkins addressed her two colleagues, acknowledging their perspective. However, she emphasized that she witnesses the need for a raise among teachers on a daily basis and emphasized the importance of taking action to fulfill that need.
According to Talarico, the issue is so significant that lawmakers must take a stance as it poses a substantial threat to public education.
He stated that we are currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis in our educational institutions. When the well-being of our children and teachers is at stake, compromise should not be seen as a virtue.
Frank believes that when parents express concerns regarding their children with disabilities, they should be empowered with the option to select an alternative educational institution for their child.
He expressed, “If a public school is already fulfilling your requirements, what would be the motive behind relocating them? You would only consider moving them if you believe they will receive better assistance. I fail to see how offering them the choice to do so would be detrimental to their well-being.”
As The Texas Tribune’s signature event of the year, The Texas Tribune Festival brings Texans closer to politics, policy and the day’s news from Texas and beyond. Browse on-demand recordings and catch up on the biggest headlines from Festival events at the Tribune’s Festival news page.
