Cohen: Towards healthier and more robust public schools for all Texas kids

We knew that the 89th Legislature would be a pivotal 140 days for our public schools. Indeed, lawmakers have repeatedly referred to this session as a historic one for public education. 

It’s hard to disagree. After years of bipartisan opposition, Texas finally has a school voucher program, and the eight and a half billion dollar school funding package includes the largest permanent pay raise the state has ever provided directly to public school teachers. 

But while history has been made, the story has yet to be written for students and families. Will Texas voucher programs deliver real choice to parents looking for other education options, or like other universal voucher programs, will it primarily benefit those who already had their children in private school? Will the program remain limited in size and scope, or will it balloon in response to those who would see vouchers become a new entitlement? Lawmakers would do well to keep a close eye on the hard fought safeguards in the final version of Senate Bill Two. 

On the school funding front the legislature’s substantial investment is welcome news for cash strapped school districts and teachers struggling to pay bills. But the best question is not whether or not eight and a half billion dollars is a historically large sum, but whether or not it is enough to meet a historically challenging moment. Eight and a half billion dollars is not even half of the $19.6 billion schools needed simply to maintain their purchasing power from 2019. It will help, but it will not solve the budget woes of too many school districts. 

And then there is the history that wasn’t quite made. In the final weeks of the session, it looked as though lawmakers might finally set aside the STAAR and an outdated accountability system in favor of nimbler testing instruments and more holistic measures of school quality. But House Bill 4 died in conference committee, leaving parents, students and teachers still waiting for Texas to truly measure what matters in our public schools. 

Texas has the resources to do better. Our state regularly tops lists for job creation, economic growth and business investment, and even after the 89th session, continues to maintain a historically large rainy day fund. The best moments for public education this session came when lawmakers walked across the aisle and across chambers to respond to the concerns and hopes of their constituents. 

Raise Your Hand Texas thanks state leaders, members of the Legislature and their staffs for the long hours and grueling work that went into the 89th session. We are optimistic that if we work together, this session will be historic, not as an apex of legislative achievement, but as the beginning of a long and productive journey towards healthier and more robust public schools for all Texas kids. 

Editor’s Note: The above commentary was provided by Libby Cohen, executive director of Raise Your Hand Texas, during a webinar the group hosted to review the 89th Legislative Session.

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