My wife is a former teacher and principal. I’ve seen first-hand the commitment and calling that goes into teaching.
I’ve traveled the state, talking with teachers, principals, administrators and parents to learn why students aren’t performing better. A public education system that is too centralized along with too many unnecessary, unfunded mandates from Austin lead to mandates for mediocrity rather than expectations of excellence. Texas is exceptional, and our education system must be too.
As Governor, I want next year’s Pre-K class to graduate from high school in the top ranked school system in the country. We will achieve lasting results by giving our schools and families the tools they need to create a solid foundation for learning in Pre-K 4 through grade three and then building on that foundation, all the way through graduation from high school.
In ten years, we will:
- Attain the highest high school graduation rate in the nation,
- Elevate Texas to the top ten states in math and reading scores, and
- Double the percent of third graders who are doing math and reading at or above grade level.
We will cultivate aspiration and achievement. That means setting expectations of excellence for our children, our teachers, our principals, and our parents, and then giving educators the flexibility to achieve them.
You can learn more about my plan by going to Townhall254.
We can—and will—build the best education system in America. It starts today. And it starts in Pre-K.
