Governor Rick Perry addressed the State Board of Education on Friday, urging the education leaders to expand technical classes and charter schools.
During his State-of-the-State address earlier in the week, Perry trumpeted evidence of improvements in public education and did so again when speaking to the State Board of Education.
"According to the U.S. Department of Education, our graduation rates are at an all-time high, the third highest in the nation, which represents a significant turnaround from just a few short years ago," Perry said.
The governor went on to outline his priorities for board, including maintaining the rigorous standards and accountability, but Perry avoided mentioning his thoughts about what to do about the controversial STAAR standardized test.
However, he did show his support for expanding charter schools and school choice.
"That future will, by necessity, involve more public charter schools which offer parents a tuition-free alternative to their neighborhood school," he said.
Public charter schools already serve more than 150,000 students across Texas and more than 100,000 students are waiting for their chance to get in.
It’s also time to introduce scholarship programs that give students a choice, especially those who are locked into low-performing schools.
Perry pushed for more programs for students who are not on the college track with additional career tech courses. He endorsed Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick’s call to double the number of approved career tech courses available.
