Exclusive: Former Gov. Rick Perry on School Choice, Gov. Greg Abbott, Future of Education in Texas
In an exclusive interview, former Gov. Rick Perry expands on school choice being the future of Texas education and what it means to parents and students.
Cameron AbramsMarch 27, 2023

Former Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. U.S. Department of Agriculture photo by Lance Cheung.
https://thetexan.news/exclusive-former-g...ation-in-texas/

Former Gov. Rick Perry gave an exclusive interview with The Texan to discuss his thoughts on the current state of school choice, the options being proposed, and what is different this session about getting school choice legislation passed.

The Texan asked Perry about his decision to come out publicly now in support of school choice and what school choice would mean for Texans.

“I have historically been a proponent of school choice in a lot of different iterations. I think in 1999 when I was lieutenant governor, we just could not get it across the finish line.” he said. “The rural legislators were concerned that this was going to negatively impact their schools in these smaller counties. I never thought that was the case.”

“I understand the rural schools, I understand the rural mentality. I understand the rural communities. I’ve watched it continue to get smaller and smaller and smaller as people left and moved into the cities,” Perry said.

Rural districts have continued to be a point of contention in the movement to establish a school choice framework; opponents have contended that vouchers would divert money from rural public schools. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has assured that there will be a “bracketing out” option for rural schools, and Sen. Brandon Creighton’s (R-Conroe) bill proposes those provisions for rural schools to receive compensation if students transfer to other schools.

“The main reason I’m for [school choice] is because I think parents do have the best viewpoint to guide their children’s education,” Perry stated. “It’s public schools that are funded by the citizens in the state. And parents should be empowered to decide where their children go to school, what they study, and in the preparation for them to step out into the world as adults.”

Perry also gave his thoughts on what makes school choice the best option for parents and why rural communities are such a focus for school choice advocates.

“It’s the old vocational education system and to many of our rural communities the kids are not staying there. They’re not trained up in the technical fields, and technical skills that pay substantially better than what they might get the opportunity to go do after a four year college degree,” he said.-- excerpt, rest at link above --

HT @mimi2020

Gov. Greg Abbott is turning up the pressure on passing school choice. Will it pay off?
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/04/..._eid=6276fc82d6
by Patrick Svitek April 4, 202316 hours ago


Six years ago, Gov. Greg Abbott riled up a crowd of school choice supporters on the steps of the Texas Capitol, calling on lawmakers to send him a bill that would allow parents to use tax dollars to take their kids out of public schools.

“I hope and I urge that that law reach my desk,” Abbott said, donning a yellow scarf — the uniform of school choice advocates — to mark National School Choice Week.

That never happened, and soon enough, the proposal lost momentum as state leaders realized just how uphill of a battle it was. For the next two legislative sessions, Abbott skipped the Capitol rallies for National School Choice Week and was more muted in his support for the proposals.

But now, Abbott is pushing harder than ever for school choice as part of a broad focus on “parental rights” this session, strongly signaling that the issue is his top legislative priority. He has crisscrossed the state speaking at a dozen “Parent Empowerment” events often at nonpublic schools in more rural communities, laying out why he believes the Legislature should back so-called education savings accounts for every Texas parent.

But passage of a school choice measure is anything but a sure bet, as there is little evidence that he’s been able to convince rural Republicans in the Texas House — who have for years been a reliable firewall — to drop their opposition. (What are they talking about?!!)

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a rally at the Capitol for school choice January 24, 2017. Both Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick spoke in favor of expanding school choice options. Students, educators, activists and parents marched on the south lawn to show their support for expanding school choice options during National School Choice Week.

To go all in on such a risky bet is an unusual play by Abbott, a cautious operator who’s used to getting his way when it comes to his highest legislative priorities — and who tries to avoid waging losing battles. On issues that have split his own party, Abbott is known to withhold wielding his political capital until there’s a clear path for victory — as was the case with the 2021 passage of permitless carry of handguns, as one example.-- excerpt, rest at link above --