ATPE statement on Gov. Greg Abbott’s May 9 campaign remarks on “school funding following the student”

Privatization | Vouchers
Date Posted: 5/10/2022
“While Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed what we have long suspected in his campaign rhetoric yesterday—that he supports private school vouchers—ATPE has been steadfastly opposed to vouchers by any name for decades. Our legislative program states: ‘ATPE opposes any program or initiative, tuition tax credit, or voucher system that would direct public funds to private, home, or for-profit virtual schools.’
“What’s more: The Republican-led Texas Legislature has rejected vouchers by any name for decades. Voters believe that sending taxpayer dollars to private entities without taxpayer oversight is the furthest thing from ‘conservative.’
“The governor is again attempting to capitalize on trendy political rhetoric by mislabeling vouchers as a ‘parental right’ and again ignoring the facts: Texas voters support Texas public schools. Texas voters elect lawmakers who support Texas public schools. And Texas voters know the truth about Texas public schools.”
About the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)
Founded in 1980, ATPE is the leading educators’ association in Texas with approximately 100,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, and future, retired, and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for Texas’ five million public school students. | atpe.org
CONVERSATION
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

05/09/2025
Texas politicians are treating professional educators like babies … again
Some Texas legislators and elected officials spent Teacher Appreciation Week trying to strip your constitutional rights and silence your voices.

05/08/2025
House Public Education Committee considers payroll deduction bill
As Monday deadline looms to report bills out, the committee also heard bills that would criminalize educators who assist in “social transitioning” of a student as well as give parents access to student library records.

05/07/2025
How will HB 4 improve testing for Texas kids?
The key change? Teachers will quickly receive data on student performance, making it actionable.
VOTE HIM OUT