October 20, 2016

Educator group opposes taking money away from public education

The following is a statement from Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Executive Director Gary Godsey regarding Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s press conference this afternoon:

“Education savings accounts are a misleading attempt to take public tax dollars and direct them into private schools with no accountability to the taxpayer. Whether you call it a voucher, a tax credit, or an ESA, it doesn’t change the fact that it takes money away from an already cash-strapped public education system. Public schools have a constitutional mandate to be ready to serve and educate all Texas kids.

“We need our legislative leaders to stop chasing reform fads and focus on the hard work that we know is needed to improve our public schools, starting at the community level and working our way up. That includes properly funding our public schools in an equitable manner, setting the bar high for our educators, and treating them like professionals with the pay and benefits they deserve.”

With more than 100,000 members, ATPE is the state’s largest educator group and the voice of public education. To schedule an interview, please contact ATPE Media Relations Specialist Stephanie Jacksis.

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The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has been a strong voice for Texas educators since 1980. It is the leading educators’ association in Texas with more than 100,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, future, retired and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for 5 million public schoolchildren. ATPE is the ally and the voice of Texas public education.