Solutions:
Many Texans wonder is it even worth saving? It is the Governor's Texas Constitutional duty to provide for an efficient public education. This commitment to public education goes back to Texas’ second President, Mirabeau Lamar. Considered by some the father of Texas Education. Going back to America’s founding, our forefathers well knew a Representative Republic requires an educated electorate.
As Governor, I will accept this role of preserving public education with an emphasis on a total restructuring. A restructuring to put the “I” back in Independent School District and less TEA.
The current appointed Texas Education Agency Commissioner has served the governor’s education agenda for 10 years. The whole School Choice, Voucher, Education Savings Account, Money Follow the Child, is a blatant admission by both the Governor and his appointed TEA Commissioner that under their direction, Texas public education has failed. Their solution, establish a new Education Bureaucracy in the Comptroller’s Office and establish a subsidy to pay people to take their children out of public education and put them in private or home school. Simply put, they have failed the children of Texas, the parents of Texas and the Taxpayers of Texas.
Every single Texan, outside of the eduacracy, is fully aware of this bloated commission’s dismal performance. Over the last 10 years, the only metric that has increased is the spending. Spending up 48%; headcount increase 57%. Overlay the out-of-control spending on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) charts on reading (-5) and math (-20) Texas, there is only one conclusion, our governor and his appointed commissioner have completely botched the education of our children.
Solution – Those who know me, know I am not some politician that simply throws out problems declaring elect me and I will fix it. So much so, someone actually criticized me for “just being about solutions.”
Elected NOT Appointed- The Texas Education Commissioner should be elected not appointed by the Governor. This position should be accountable to the parents and taxpayers, not the Governor. Texas public education would be much more amenable to parents and teachers if the commissioner had to campaign to be elected. If they heard first hand the abuse our teachers get in the classrooms because of failed legislation restricting discipline in our schools. Or hearing the accounts from parents the depravity that are on the bookshelves in school libraries and classrooms.
Consolidate Texas Education Agency Regions – There are 20 regional offices under the TEA. There are 15 State Board of Education districts with elected representation. These regional offices would be consolidated into the 15 SBOE Districts. The elected position of the SBOE Member would be revamped to have more oversight over the ISD’s within their district. Possibly turning into a compensated position. The expense of which could be covered by savings in the consolidations and a reduction in force in the TEA Austin offices.
Result – Texas will have an elected Public Education Commissioner working with elected State Board of Education Members (no change there). This would give parents and taxpayers an elected official to more closely align the education delivered in their district and a more powerful intermediary in the grievance process. Which has become so complex, I have met lawyers who specialize in pursuing public school grievances. In essence, putting the “I” back in Independent School District.
Here is your Quick Guide to Texas Public Education players.
TEA, Texas Education Agency
TASB, Texas Association of School Boards
TASA, Texas Association of School Administrators
SBOE. State Board of Education)
Sadly, some parents must live with whatever these bureaucrats derive. These parents are left with decisions as to whether they can allow their children to remain under such tutelage. A tutelage diametrically opposed to their faith, their patriotism and their principles. Such is the morass of Texas Public Education.
The issue for ALL Texans is now that our public education is in this condition, what course of action can parents take? Parents of school children are left to choose, avail themselves to the public education or look to alternatives in private schools or home schools. That is, those parents fortunate enough to have the luxury of a choice. But what about our fellow Texans in a poverty of choices? Their only option is the public school system regardless of the values, the instruction or even the self-worth that seems to dominate current public education instruction debates. This whole curricula under review is nothing but a dispiriting agenda stripping young minds of pride in their country, its founding and our special position in the world. What are the options for these parents?
It only gets worse for Texas. Because those who can afford it, find alternatives for their child’s education and leave. The public schools continue to see their enrollment decrease (Houston ISD is seeing just such deterioration). Leaving those relegated to the public education system at the behest of decisions made by bureaucrats. Bureaucrats who seemingly hold them in disdain. How else can one explain this completely dispiriting curriculum? Stripping pride, self-worth and values of self-initiative from a child. And these bureaucrats have the temerity to ask why are child suicides increasing?
The answer isn’t an indoctrination of some modern mores of child equalization and grotesque destruction of their innocence. Those wanting such instruction for their child are the ones who should be taking their children out of the public schools to expose their children to whatever behaviors they choose. That is not the instruction set desired by most parents. We know this because enrollment in public education in Texas is down or not keeping pace with the growth in population.
The answer is a solid foundation of language, mathematics, science, history that reveals the greatness of their country. That defines how their country has overcome evils and triumphed in glorious achievements for the world. Insure a healthy appreciation for the vast creative arts. The kind of foundation the rest of the world follows to indoctrinate their youth. That is foundation Texas had at one time. That is until this current administration of appointees has brought in all this extraneous unnecessary curricula of sexual indoctrination.
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