School Choice Editorial |Valeria Gurr| La Prensa Texas San Antonio
22 de October 2023
Originalmente publicado en La Prensa Texas San Antonio
The school choice debate has reached a fever pitch in Texas, and the state legislature is one step closer to making history by passing private school choice in the Lone Star State for the first time.
During the special session, which Governor Greg Abbott called for to advance school choice, Senate Bill 1 has now passed the Senate. This bill would enact an Education Savings Account for nearly all Texas families, providing $8,000 per student to cover educational expenses.
I proudly testified in support of SB 1, but there is still work left to be done in the House. As a Hispanic leader and mother, I know education freedom is a dire necessity for the state of Texas. It was disheartening to see Texas teachers’ unions advocate against giving needy families the ability to choose the school that works best for their children, but that's nothing new.
Passing school choice in Texas will take bravery. It will take putting students first and not the interest of the teacher’s union, who are more concerned with holding power than helping students or educators. I know this firsthand because I worked for a teacher’s union and left the organization after coming to the realization they were not moving the needle to help students or teachers then, and they still aren't doing so now.
In spite of the misinformation campaign the union is dishing out, the need for school choice programs is especially serious in Texas, where students of color have suffered the consequences of a broken public education system that has been failing them for decades. The pandemic exacerbated the problems more making students’ education suffer even further.
According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, the Lone Star State has serious achievement gaps. Black and Hispanic fourth-graders are almost two years behind their white peers in reading and math.
When families are able to choose the best school for their children, students thrive. As a matter of fact, just a few weeks ago while visiting River City Christian School— a San Antonio education institution serving a high percentage of Latino children with disabilities— I met a parent who told me she has to work two jobs to afford that school, but it has been the best decision she has ever made for her child. This students’ previous school had said the child could not learn; yet, now, her child is learning and thriving.
It's not just stories like these that prove school choice works. Florida, a longtime leader in school choice, has been thriving and recently went from 43rd in the education rankings to 1st, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Academics are not the only reason parents are seeking options. They want their children to feel safe in school, they want additional support, less overcrowded classrooms, extracurricular activities, shared values, and an escape from bullying.
The wealthy already have school choice because they can afford it, but often, low-income students lack the same options. Unfortunately, they must endure a system of ZIP code-enforced, persistently underperforming schools.
As a first generation Chilean-American, I understand my community's struggle because I faced the same challenges growing up. I was the child of a poor, single mother that could not read. I needed extra support because I didn't have it at home, but never received it. I remember growing up feeling like a failure— being passed from grade to grade, but not really learning as I should have. I lost self-confidence.
And although my mother wanted better for me, we didn't have the financial means to afford another school. I came to the United States seeking opportunity, and after lots of hard work I persevered and will soon graduate with a Ph.D. in Public Affairs.
To my surprise, I have found that stories like mine are not uncommon in this nation. That is why I work daily, so the next generation has more opportunities than I did. I advocate for families hoping to escape poverty by giving their children access to quality education. But in order for America to offer hope and a chance at success, we must fix the K-12 education system.
Therefore, now is the time for leadership in Texas. Now is the time to check in interests at the door and work with Governor Abbott to take bold action and join the education revolution sweeping America. It is time to respond to the parents and families demanding educational freedom and put the American Dream within reach for all Texans.
- Valeria Gurr serves as a Senior Fellow for the American Federation for Children. She is a passionate advocate for educational choice, particularly for underserved families, and founded la Federación Americana Para los Niños. For more information, visit https://www.federationforchildren.org/staff/valeria-gurr/.
Published in Spanish at la Prensa San Antonio CREDIT:
La Prensa de San Antonio.cid:mailto:9d7b272d-f3e3-4ba6-9ca9-b73a91bbd631@namprd17.prod.outlook.com]