The Facts: Educating Texas

14 Public Education Questions for Officials

How do your state and local officials stack up when it comes to supporting high-quality public education? Below are fourteen questions for mayoral, state legislature, and school board officials to help you assess their commitment to high-quality public education in Texas.

How much of a priority is it for you to ensure adequate funding for all Texas public schools?
Do you have a plan in place for doing this?
Do you plan to help in the recruitment and retention of highly effective teachers to Texas public schools?
How important is helping our students prepare for success after graduation to you?
Did you attend public schools growing up?
Are your children currently enrolled public schools?
Do you believe in fostering and adopting dropout prevention strategies?
In the course of your political career, how much time have you spent talking to PTA leaders, superintendents and school board members and learning about their legislative concerns?
Do you believe in local control of schools?
Do you support taking money out of the public school system to for use in experimental or private programs?
When looking for expert advice, are you likely to ask your PTA and your district superintendent?
Do you plan to support the meeting of accountability mandates so that all students may graduate from high school?
Do you plan to develop programs to help retain the most gifted and experienced teachers?
Do you believe in the lasting effects of high-quality full-day pre-k and would you like to see these programs expanded?