The
best possible education of everybody is the most important ingredient
to a society that functions well, and is in the best interest of us
all.
In
Texas, in the 21st century, our population (including that
of school age students) has grown rapidly. We are now the second
most populous of these United States.
Schools
in Texas have had reasonable success as well as significant problems.
Noteworthy examples of said shortfalls that need to be properly
addressed:
School
funding that has been in the courts since 1968 (start with this brief
timeline from the Houston Chronicle -
https://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/A-timeline-on-the-Texas-school-funding-battle-5816607.php
);
The
state has backed away from it's commitment to the funding of public
education in, at least, 2006 and 2011;
The
state has tried to make believe that competition will improve our
schools and has siphoned off some of the reduced funding to charter
schools and voucher programs to private schools;
The
State Board of Education has edited text books in a variety of
subjects while abstaining from the use of experts/scholars in those
academic endeavors...
To
understate, Texas has a massive public education system that is
working, but is in need of serious attention and support.
Our
students (selves, children, grand children, etc...) deserve better
than we are doing... Our education professionals (teachers,
professors, administrators, support staff, etc...) deserve better
than we are doing...
Perfection
is a stretch goal that none ever actually attain; everything can
always be done at least a little bit better. To get better we must
strive to solve the problems listed above, and any of the other
challenges one might discover along the way.
We
can, and should, do better.
