Two Sides of the Education Industry

 

The education sector comprises two primary segments: public and private institutions. In the quest for educational options, families in Texas are not without choice, with the existence of magnet schools offering specialized programs such as construction, engineering, and more. These unique schools can be found as separate wings or even standalone buildings within established high schools, and some have extended their reach to middle school campuses.

Nevertheless, the choices for families are often constrained by school district boundaries. However, the ongoing school reform debate in Austin may bring a game-changing development, where the taxes paid by families could follow their students outside these borders. This shift would empower parents to have a more direct and intimate role in shaping their children’s education, moving beyond the confines of mere votes in elections or school board meetings.

On the flip side, there are “professional educational fundraisers” who vigorously guard their control over the lion’s share of property tax bills. Education savings accounts, for instance, aim to level the playing field and reduce the monopoly’s stronghold.

This entrenched establishment, bolstered by activists and tax interest groups, often lacks any personal or business stakes in the state, and astonishingly, they may not even have children in schools. In contrast, parents who are deeply invested in the welfare of their children’s education deserve a more prominent role in shaping policy decisions. The current monopoly seeks to perpetuate its control by retaining funding, even in cases where its performance fails to meet expectations.

For families eager to direct funding towards their chosen schools, the battle at hand is not a simple dichotomy between supporting children and the wealthy. It’s a struggle between institutional taxation and the freedom to choose.

If you believe in empowering parents with greater K-12 education choices, and in bridging the equity gap between the affluent and the less affluent, now is the time to raise your voice. The Texas Legislature is currently in a special session addressing this very issue. The Senate has already shown support, and it’s crucial to contact your House representative to ensure they make the right choice in history. Urge them to vote in favor of giving all parents an equal opportunity to select the best schools for their children.

If you’re unsure about your representative, you can find their information here. If you’re already familiar with your representative, their contact details are readily available for your convenience.

Together, we can champion a more inclusive and choice-driven education system in Texas.

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If you believe in empowering parents/yourselves with more choice in K-12 education … leveling the playing field between the wealthy and not-so-wealthy in the name of equity … now is a the time to MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!  Our Texas Legislature is currently in a special session to address exactly this issue. 

The Senate agrees with you, and has passed it.  Contact your representative in the House and urge them to join the right side of history, and approve it as well.  Urge them to vote to give ALL parents equal opportunity to choose the best school for their children. 

If you don’t know who represents you, find them here.  If you do, here are their contacts.