DFER TX: “Attempts to divert resources that public schools — including traditional district schools, magnet schools, career academies, and public charter schools — need to innovate and meet the highest possible standards only serve to further the barriers so many Texans have faced for generations”.…Texas should be “passing policies to expand public school choices…”

Austin, TX – Today, Democrats for Education Reform Texas (DFER TX) Executive Director Garry Jones released the following statement on the need to create opportunities for public school choice and opposing Senate Bill 8:

“High-quality public schools are essential to ending generational poverty and preparing the workforce of tomorrow. This legislative session, the Texas Legislature, with a record budget surplus, has an historic opportunity to prioritize innovative public educational opportunities, especially for students that have faced the greatest barriers and have historically been denied chances to succeed. 
 
“Attempts to divert resources that public schools — including traditional district schools, magnet schools, career academies, and public charter schools — need to innovate and meet the highest possible standards only serve to further the barriers so many Texans have faced for generations. We can ensure every child has access to a high-quality school that meets their unique needs by passing policies to expand public school choices and ensuring ALL public schools — traditional district schools, magnet schools, career academies, and public charter schools — are equitably funded.”
 
“DFER TX is opposed to Senate Bill 8 and is committed to championing policies that advance an innovative and robust system of public school choices within Texas. Over 5 million Texas students attend a public school and DFER TX is committed to advancing student-centered policies to grow public education funding overall, level it up for those currently disadvantaged, and hold our system accountable to ensure results for students.”

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About Democrats for Education Reform 

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that increase educational equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. It is a partner organization of Education Reform Now Advocacy, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that supports DFER’s legislative and policy advocacy work. DFER maintains state chapters in Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.  www.dfer.org.