Commentary: Texas needs to invest in its public schools, not in a school voucher program.
Rachel Fowler, a kindergarten teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, asks students questions on their first day of school.The actions Texas lawmakers take in the next days will be some of the most consequential of the decade. Our public schools are facing a multitude of challenges ranging from teacher shortages and outdated technology to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.
The pathway to prosperity for Texas runs directly through the halls of our public schools. Prior to the pandemic, Texas legislators seemed to be aligned in recognizing this fact with bipartisan support allocating needed funds and focus into our public education system. Programs to address the needs of our public schools were beginning to take shape including San Antonio’s first public Montessori school at Steele Montessori Academy.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, diverting attention and resources while introducing a new set of challenges that subtly eroded the gains our schools had made. Amid these challenges, we lost our collective focus on the importance of investing in our schools and legislative priorities shifted. As a result, we find ourselves slipping. Texas now ranks 42nd in the nation in per-student spending, trailing the national average by more than $4,000 per student.
The health of our communities is inextricably linked to the quality of our schools. As someone with experience in real estate and community development, I can attest that the strength of our schools directly impacts the value of our homes, the prosperity of our neighborhoods and the availability of amenities and housing options. A strong public education system boosts community engagement, elevates property values, and fosters economic growth.
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