This study evaluates howTexas public schools are meeting the challenge of educating children today,while considering the cost of public education outcomes on the lives ofindividual Texans, their communities, and the state economy. The evidence iscompelling that many Texas public schools are failing the public trust. Despitedecades of reform, massive infusions of funds, aggressive efforts of policymakers,and commitment of educators, there has been no significant improvement inacademic proficiency of high school graduates, closure of the achievement gap, andincrease in high school graduation. The study notes that the current speciallegislative session on school finance reform offers Texans an opportunity tofundamentally change the delivery of public education. To boost the state economyand provide all children with the opportunity for success, the author concludes thatTexans must choose school choice.
A Double “Return” on Education
From across the political spectrum, voters rural and urban and suburban, everyone I talk to has a theory about what has gone so wrong with American education. From cellphones to laptops, the culture wars and the pandemic, teacher pay and teacher burnout, weak discipline and bad curriculum to collapsing standards, there are no shortage of...