The Arena: Abbott Says School Choice Benefits Parents, Students and Teachers

In a new episode of The Arena with Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO Greg Sindelar, Governor Greg Abbott explains how legislation creating education savings accounts gives parents more options, improves education outcomes for students, and creates better opportunities for teachers.

“What this legislation does is to ensure that every parent, regardless of wealth, regardless of income, regardless of zip code, they’re going to have the same opportunity that a wealthy person would have to choose a school that’s right for their particular child,” said Abbott. “This is truly a game changer for the overwhelming majority of Texans.”

Sindelar recounted that the three things that studies show improve education outcomes are excellent curriculum, great teachers, and parent engagement.

Abbott agreed. “One of the most important determiners of how well a student does at school oftentimes comes down to parental involvement. When parents show an interest in where their child goes to school, it makes a huge difference.”

“Few things are as empowering to a parent and create engagement with a parent as much as school choice,” he added.

Sindelar asked how ESAs would benefit teachers.

“Hardly anything could be better for a teacher and teacher pay than having competition for their services,” Abbott answered.  “[Schools] are going to need good quality teachers and there will be a bidding process to attract the best teachers.”

Abbott also addressed concerns some might have with giving parents greater control over their kids’ education.

“People across the state should know that having a school choice program is not going to disrupt and destroy the public school system. Their public school systems are going to continue to thrive just like they have in the more than 30 states that already have school choice. Just like charter schools haven’t disrupted and destroyed public schools, the school choice program…is not going to destroy public schools in the state of Texas either.” He concluded.  “So we can have both. We can have the best public education system, as well as a thriving school choice system in the state of Texas that will ensure the best future for all of our kids.”

Watch the full episode here.