Blog Election Issue - Sarah Seeliger

Education and Criminal Justice

Beto's Views on Education

  • Believes that every person in Texas deserves to have a good education made available to them, which will allow them to reach their full potential.
  • Believes that education is the best path to individual success as well as the combined success of Texas and the US. 
  • Opposes tax money being given to private schools
  • Believes funding for low income and underserved communities should be increased
  • Believes that the retirements of teachers should be protected, and that things such as the Windfall Elimination Provision should be gotten rid of
  • Believes classrooms should have more control and that teachers should have the independence to teach their class
  • Believes that "arbitrary, high-stakes tests" should have reduced emphasis
  • Opposed bills like the Senate Bill Six and believes it should be eradicated
  • Believes there should be no bills that discriminate agaisnst students because of their gender identity and sexuality

Cruz's View on Education

  • Believes that all kids deserve a good education that will help them be sucessful
  • Believes that school choices gives childeren more options, improves public schools, and makes schools stronger, effective, and accountable
  • Opposes Common Core
  • Believes education choices should be made on state level because it gives parents and communities a chance to be more involved
  • Believes in giving teachers fair retirement pay
  • School Security Enhancement Act
  • Student Empowerment Act

Testing

Testing is a current issue in Texas education. Lots of parents are currently questioning the Texas education system's fondness of "high stakes testing". The fact that the amount of end of year exams for high schoolers was decreased was a triumph during the last legislation period. The problem still remains in the amount of these tests given in elementary school, as many people are wanting the number reduced. The amount of tests was reduced from 15 to five in elementary schools already, and there is still more work expected to be done in regards to the situation.

School Choice
School choice is another issue that Texas education is currently facing. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick wanted to set up a voucher like program so that parents could use public money to pay for their kids to go to private school. As Kent Grusendorf said, "School choice is about kids and the ability of every parent to select the very best school for their individual child's needs." The problem with the voucher solution is the fear that it will take money away from public schools, but supporters of this idea hope the issue will gain "momentum" with support from certain officials. 

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