AUSTIN – Lieutenant Governor-Elect Dan Patrick promised to advance school choice in the upcoming legislative session saying, “I’m going to pass school choice because I am not going to take ‘no’ for an answer.” To discuss questions about whether students should be entitled to select the school that best fits their needs and how school choice would impact Texas ISDs and the Texas economy, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Education Freedom will host the panel “School Choice and the Texas Economy” at the 13th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature. The panel will take place on Thursday, January 7, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. CST at the Sheraton Austin Hotel in the Capitol View Terrace North.
“Given Judge Dietz’ recent ruling that ISDs are failing to meet the needs of ‘hundreds of thousands of students’ and Dan Patrick’s resolve on school choice, the issue is certain to be debated by next legislature” said TPPF Center for Education Freedom Director Kent Grusendorf. “This exciting panel promises to provide a lively discussion regarding this critical issue which could well shape the upcoming legislative session and the very future of Texas.”
Panelists include:
- The Honorable Donna Campbell, Texas State Senate
- Kevin Chavous, Founding Board Member & Executive Counsel, American Federation for Children and the Alliance for School Choice
- Bill Hammond, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business
- Dr. Art Laffer, Founder and Chairman, Laffer Associates
- Dr. Mike Moses, Texas Association of School Administrators
For thirteen years, the Foundation’s Policy Orientation has been one of the nation’s top policy conferences, selling out each year while bringing together lawmakers, policy experts, and engaged citizens from across the political spectrum to discuss critical issues facing the Lone Star State and America. Last year’s Policy Orientation attracted approximately 700 attendees including nearly 100 state legislators and hundreds of legislative staff from both sides of the aisle.
This year’s program includes more than 35 panel discussions and debates on the major issues affecting Texas’ future. The program will be updated with additional events and speakers in the coming weeks. Members of the public and media who wish to attend may register and view the agenda at: www.PolicyOrientation.com.
The Honorable Kent Grusendorf, Senior Fellow & Director of the Center for Education Freedom at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, represented Arlington in the Texas Legislature for twenty years, focusing on education. Serving on the House Public Education Committee and various Select Committees, he played a significant role in crafting legislative responses to the Edgewood I, Edgewood II, Edgewood III, Edgewood IV, and West Orange Cove school-finance court decisions.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.