Making Texas Schools the Best in America

Last session, Texas made a historic commitment to public education. As a co-author of House Bill 2, I was proud to help deliver $8.5 billion in new funding for our public schools, including significant investments in teacher pay. But we cannot look at that investment as the finish line. If we want Texas to have the best schools in the nation, we need to keep investing in our teachers, our classrooms and our students. Next session, I will be pushing for even more funding for public education.

I have a personal connection to our public schools. Before serving in the Legislature, I was a substitute teacher and served on my local school board. I have spent time in the classroom, sat in board meetings, and seen the challenges our educators face up close. And I can tell you this: our rural teachers are some of the best in the business. They know their students. They know their families. They care deeply about their communities. Many do far more than what is asked of them because they want to see their students succeed.

We should build on what we accomplished last session while also taking a hard look at what is working and what needs to change. We need to make sure teachers have the tools they need to teach, students are learning the basics, and schools are focused on education instead of unnecessary distractions and bureaucracy.

We also have a responsibility to keep our children safe. Parents should be able to send their children to school knowing they are protected. There is no room in our schools for anyone who would take advantage of a child, and we need strong accountability when someone violates that trust.

As we look toward the next legislative session, I want to keep the focus where it belongs: on our students and the teachers who work with them every day. That means continuing to increase funding, supporting and retaining great teachers, improving student outcomes, reducing unnecessary burdens such as excessive screen time, and making sure our schools are safe.

Texas WILL be #1 in the nation for education, just like we are in so many other areas. I believe we have the teachers, the students and the communities to make it happen. Our job at the Capitol is to give them the support they need to succeed.

If we get this right, our kids’ futures, and the future of our entire state, are bright.

Thank you for reading my weekly column! Make sure you stay connected and informed by calling our Capitol office at (512) 463-0600 or by following my social media page at www.facebook.com/AngeliaOrrForTX

– Conservative State Representative Angelia Orr