WATCH: KRBC’S Exploring School Choice in Texas Special
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Political leaders and school superintendents in the state of Texas are discussing the heated topic of school choice and vouchers. As the election is near, school choice will be one of the main topics in Texas as many will decide whether to make it a law.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has shown he’s a big school choice advocate. He believes that diverting money away from state public education funding into vouchers for private school tuition would give parents a choice to send their children to a private or charter school.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz is also a staunch supporter of school choice and says that it gives the same rights to the poor and middle class as the rich always had.
In Abilene, many elected officials and local superintendents share their beliefs on whether school choice is good or not. One concern educational officials have with school choice is that it leaves kids with disabilities with nowhere to go.
Abilene ISD and Wylie ISD superintendents share their beliefs on school choice and vouchers. Joey Light, the Wylie ISD superintendent, said his school district hasn’t seen any increase in funding in public schools, and they’ve struggled to operate at the same level in reality with fewer dollars.
Dr. John Kuhn, the Abilene ISD superintendent, is also concerned about school choice as he says it may affect a variety of students in his district. Kuhn says private schools won’t be affected because they can serve the students they want. Meanwhile, public schools serve every student.
Both superintendents said regardless on how they feel about school choice, they will continue to serve the students the best way they can.
Chris Martin, a homeschool parent in Abilene, favors school choice. Martin believes they can provide the best education at home and claims he and his wife Melissa are the doctors of their education.
Walt Landers, the Founder of Abilene TLCA, wants his school involved in school choice and facility funding. He also wants charter schools to be included in the conversation. “Our students are not worth any less than they are in an ISD,” said Landers. Martin hopes the money follows the students no matter where they go.
KRBC’s Abby Green and David Bacon hosted a forum with Texas HD 71 State Representative Stan Lambert, Former AISD School Board Member and member of the Taylor County Democratic Party Sammy Garcia, Runnels County home school parent Chris Martin, Newly Elected HD 65 State Representative Mitch Little, and Founder and CEO of Texas Leadership Public Schools Walt Landers.
Here is a list of states that are in favor of private school choice
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Utah
Georgia
North Carolina
Maryland
Ohio
Indiana
Wisconsin
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine
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