I am Jorge Borrego, postsecondary analyst for Next Generation Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and I am testifying in support of HB 1859. I would like to thank the members of this committee for the opportunity to provide comments on HB 1859. The Foundation recently conducted research examining the state of career and
technical education in Texas public schools. What we found was that there are large gaps between workforce needs and programs of study across multiple sectors but in particular the skilled trades, such as electricians and HVAC technicians.
Who’s Serving Who? Controversy Swirls Around Education Foundations
In Texas, education foundations are supposed to support public school districts through fundraising, making donations, and offering other supportive services. However, as documented in a recent report, these foundations sometimes blur the line when it comes to their own operations and the districts they serve. In a few cases, troubling evidence shows that they’ve grown...