Tell the State Board of Education to Support School Choice; Put It On the Legislative Priority Agenda for a Vote

The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) meets this month for the first time in 2023. The meeting will be January 31- February 3.

Last year, SBOE made it a legislative priority to oppose measures that would support “school choice.” Specifically, the SBOE voted to oppose “any attempts to divert public dollars away from public schools” and place more red tape requirements on charter schools.

Yet, both Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick seem support school choice. Both leaders stated in their inaugural addresses this week that they are in favor of school choice, with Lieutenant Governor Patrick emphasizing that school choice legislation will pass this session. Lt. Gov. Patrick noted that he and Governor Abbott received 77 percent of their vote for reelection in rural Texas with school choice as a significant issue of their campaigns. Governor Abbott declared that parents have the freedom to choose the education that is best for their child.

Not all SBOE members were on board with the decision to oppose school choice. Some members want to set aside this bad decision, but they need your help. The deadline to add new items to the January meeting agenda is THIS Friday!

We need you to contact Texas Governor Greg Abbott and SBOE Chairman Kevin Ellis to ask that the topic of the SBOE’s legislative priorities on school choice is placed on the agenda.

Texas Values, along with many parents and other policy groups, will work hard this legislative session to make sure school choice initiatives are passed. Texas Values held an informative panel featuring well known school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis on this issue at our Policy Forum last year. The topic of school choice has gained a lot of momentum recently as a result of the pandemic, falling student performance, and inappropriate curriculum in the classroom.