Letters to the Editor | Week of April 14-19, 2025

Vouchers supported

We have some wonderful public schools in the Rio Grande Valley and dedicated teachers like the ones my children have now. But for some kids, the system doesn’t work. Unfortunately, many students’ opportunities are limited by the ZIP code they happen to live in.

As a mother of two children on the autism spectrum, a special education advocate and a school board trustee at Mission CISD who has served on two school boards, I have seen firsthand how the right environment can make all the difference.

After an incident in my child’s special education unit — and after hearing countless other stories from families in my community — I realized that not all schools can meet every child’s needs. But the way our state education system is structured, our choices and resources are limited.

No parent should feel trapped in a system that isn’t working for their child. Out of desperation, I ran for school board — not just for my children, but for every child being left behind. If we don’t fight for all children, we fail them.

Here in the Rio Grande Valley we take pride in our schools, but we also know that education is not one-size-fits-all. Some children thrive in traditional public schools, while others need specialized instruction, therapy support or alternative learning environments. As parents, we make choices for our children every day — about their health, their safety, their faith. Why should their education be any different?

Our area benefits from open enrollment policies that give families some flexibility in choosing a school that meets their child’s needs. But that’s not the case in many other parts of Texas, where a child’s assigned school is determined solely by their address, leaving parents with few options if their local school isn’t the right fit. Every child, no matter where they live, deserves access to an education that helps them reach their full potential.

That’s why I support House Bill 3. Education Savings Accounts give families the freedom to choose the best education for their child — whether that’s public school, charter school, private school or homeschooling with therapy support. This isn’t about politics; it’s about children. If we keep our focus on them, we won’t lose sight of what truly matters.

For families like mine, this bill means hope. It means a parent who knows their child best can make the decision that’s right for them. It means a student struggling in one school can find success in another.

Texas kids deserve better, and with ESAs, we can give them the opportunities they need to succeed.

Natividad Sosa

Mission

Editor’s note: We welcome your letters and commentary. Submissions must include the writer’s full name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters of 200 words or fewer will be given preference. Submissions may be edited for length, grammar and clarity. Letters may be mailed to P.O Box 3267, McAllen, Texas 78502-3267, or emailed to letters@myRGV.com.

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