No Place for Politics
What to know: One of Texas’ largest public school districts, Round Rock ISD, was recently caught “teaching that immigration law amounts to the oppression of minorities.” The lesson plan smacks of indoctrination and Marxist thinking.
The TPPF take: Political agendas have no place in the classroom.
“Public schools are supposed to be places where students are taught to read, write, and do math. But increasingly, leftwing activists have been caught propagandizing kids and pushing an oppressed/oppressor worldview,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “This incident should remind parents to be vigilant about their child’s education.”
For more on classroom indoctrination, click here.
Not Ready for Drive Time
What to know: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson criticized self-driving cars in his recent SXSW appearance.
The TPPF take: The technology for self-driving cars simply isn’t mature enough.
“A growing body of research shows that self-driving cars will only reduce traffic congestion if we all give up our steering wheels,” says TPPF’s David Dunmoyer. “Numerous simulations and studies confirm that traffic congestion might actually get worse when self-driving cars are on the road alongside human drivers, even if there is only one human driver to 100 self-driving cars.”
For more on self-driving cars, click here.
If It Ain’t Broke
What to know: Dallas Independent School District says it’s broke, and will have to cut its budget—including its instructional staff.
The TPPF take: Dallas ISD isn’t broke; it’s just misspending its massive budget.
“Dallas ISD is currently paying Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde a base salary of $338,000 per year, plus benefits,” says TPPF’s Mandy Drogin. “She’s presiding over a shrinking district that is losing students—even without school choice. That’s amazing when you realize how many new Texans arrive every day—more than 1,200. It seems the rest of the world is choosing Texas, but not Texas urban school districts.”
For more on Dallas ISD, click here.