Fairness

I live in Texas which is tightly controlled by the Republican Party, both in the Legislature and in the Governor's mansion. And I have no issue with that. I am not a voter tied to any Party. I vote for those individuals who profess the same values as I hold dear. So this is not a political post. It is a post on what is fair in education and life.

The Texas legislature and the Governor are pushing education choice as a main topic of this current legislative period. They want various ways for parents to have choices when it comes to their children's education and I am a supporter of that idea.....

But I want it to be a fair fight.....

The current bills in the Legislature (House and Senate) are essentially the same with differences in funding. Each of them call for parents who opt for an alternative education choice to public education will be given either $10,000 or $11,500 if their child is "special". Those are great numbers and in truth, Texas has a surplus of funds that can easily handle these types of stipends.

But, now comes my complaint.....

Public school students are only funded at a $6,160 per student rate. That has not increased since 2019 (and we all know that costs have risen since 2019 for everything). And public schools are obligated to provide services to any student that are not available in private schools. Like dyslexia tutoring, autistic spectrum disorder education accommodations, etc. Those services are free to ANY Texas student regardless if they're being funded as an alternative school student or not.

So, if School Choice passes in Texas in its present state, public schools will be at a $4,000 per student disadvantage. And then they have the added insult of legally having to provide services to those "choiced-out" students who can't get what they need from their "choice" school.....

I am an advocate of education for all. Education is the key to success in any venture of life, whether it be vocational or professional. Education drives innovation which drives business which drives government which protects education. So why is this state punishing public education (which, by the way, is the way most of the Legislature has received its education) ?

Your guess is as good as mine. This seems to be a theme among Republican state governments around the US. And again, I am in favor of school choice. I believe competition is good for most activities and opportunities. But it needs to be fairly administered. Don't tie one hand behind public education's back and expect a fair fight. Let's make it a level playing field and then watch as Texas students reap the benefits.

That's my reflection for today...... God bless you !!!