Texas Children Betrayed
Generally speaking, Texas Educrats are self-aggrandizing, self-important, and self-serving. Because many legislators in the 79th Texas Legislature were indifferent, they perpetuated the problem.
On May 24, 2005, 19,000 Texas children were told their lives meant nothing. The children learned that the continued employment of failed teachers in failed schools was more important than their futures. To the detriment of all Texas children, the Texas House has decreed that Texas public education will have no accountability.
Texas House Bill 1263 was a lifeline for Texas’ most vulnerable children. This modest proposal would have allowed fewer than ½ of 1% of Texas children to flee only the worst public schools in Texas.
That was too much for Texas teachers.
They know, as we know, that those children can learn. They know, as we know, that those children can excel. They know, as we know, that they’ve failed those children miserably. Thanks to the Texas House, these 19,000 children are heading for oblivion.
Let’s review. What do we get for the $33+ BILLIONS we spend every year on Texas public education?
Do we get accountability? Absolutely not! When it’s time to name names and give our most vulnerable citizens the option to flee failed public schools, the Texas Education Agency steps in. Commissioner Doctor Shirley Neeley values cronyism over children.
Maybe there were extenuating circumstances. When you say “Failed,” what do you mean? How bad can these bad schools really be? How about a school that arguably inflicts statutory child abuse on Texas children and has done so for 40 years under the jaundiced eye of the Texas Education Agency?
How about Texas schools that turn a blind eye to children who are assaulted because they dare to excel? Is that bad enough for you? For details, review Jose’s public testimony.
You say you’re certain your Texas school’s OK? You like your children’s teachers; they work really hard, and you’re sure they’re doing a good job.
Are they? How do you know? Consider this:
A May 18, 2005 editorial in the Austin American-Statesman revealed that a full 50% of the freshmen entering state colleges require remediation in math, reading, or writing.
In the words of The Statesman, this statistic is:
“A harsh condemnation of public education in Texas”
These are the children that made it to college. These are the children that had every advantage. These are the children that passed the TAKS. These are the children that got their Texas High School Diploma. These are the children that are the apple of their parents’ eye. These are the children Texas teachers point to with pride. These are the children Texas is banking on to lead us into the 21st century.
As revealed by the Austin American-Statesman:
Fifty Percent of Our Best Can’t Read, Write or Compute.
How did these kids manage to get a high school diploma when they can’t read, write, or compute? One reason a Texas High School Diploma is worthless is that some schools create “Miracles Through Malfeasance”.
Are you still sure your children are receiving an education? Don’t be.
The self-absorbed arguments Texas Educrats’ use to defend their turf are galling. Educrats insist Texas parents, children, and educators prove that the free market works for education.
Newsflash for Educrats, it’s already working.
Because of the free market, Texas colleges and businesses can remediate huge percentages of Educrat product. The free market, not Texas schools, has prevented a slide into third-world poverty. By any objective measure, Texas Educrats are an abject failure. Thanks to the 79th Legislature, Texas children will continue to suffer at their hands.
I know there are good Texas teachers. The only way to identify them is to watch your child learn. If your child isn’t learning, you need to move him immediately. To empower parents, children, and educators, we need fully funded education vouchers that let all Texas children maximize their potential.
With vouchers, good Texas teachers will triple their salaries.
Texans lost the battle, but not the war. At this stage, Texas Educrats have it all. They’ve got 100% of our children, 100% of our cash, 100% of the books, 100% of the buildings, 100% of the buses.
It’s time we held their feet to the fire.
Texas Educrats Have 100% of the resources.
Texans Demand 100% Success.
Work with us to keep the heat on the Legislature and the Educrats. Let’s make No Child Left Behind mean “No Child Left Behind”.
Contact your State Senator, State Representative, Governor, Lt. Governor, and State School Board Representative. Ask them to say YES to education, YES to achievement, YES to 100% fully funded Texas Education vouchers. Contact Your Rep – Click Here.
