Former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus is concerned with Texas schools. Despite historic budget surpluses, the state has made insufficient investments in the...
Local school districts have a tremendous responsibility, but they need appropriate state support to meet that responsibility, writes Joe Straus.The ratings may come out in due time, providing a data point by which communities can learn about the performance of their local public schools. However, we already know that schools across Texas face a larger challenge: a shortage of funding that has led to job and program reductions in districts across the state.
Local school districts have a tremendous responsibility, but they need appropriate state support to meet that responsibility. They also need support from the rest of us. The start of the new school year is a time to express our appreciation for the work educators do and for us to acknowledge the very real challenges they face.
We should also remember to celebrate, and build upon, the many things that public schools are doing well. For example, public schools in Texas today — with help from the Legislature — are far more adept than they used to be at working with businesses in their communities to create career-and-technology programs that not only help fill local workforce needs, but also offer clear paths to success for students who are not heading to four-year universities.
Walk through many Texas high schools today and you will see students learning the skills they need for successful careers in technology, robotics, health care, law enforcement and countless other fields. Students are exploring their own potential in classes that hold their interests.These programs result from educators, business leaders and elected officials working together to meet needs in communities and students’ lives.
In order for our schools and students to reach their full potential, our elected state leaders need to prioritize public education — with the investments to prove it.
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