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.
Testimony on Substitute Language for Plank 101, the School Choice Plank
The substitute language for Plank 101 is as follows: “Promoting Parental Choice: We support the right of parents to enroll their child in a traditional public school, private school, charter school, or to homeschool as they choose and believe all state funding for K-12 education should follow the child. We oppose any attempt to regulate...