Education Priorities for the 83rd Texas Legislature: Policy Recommendations for Public Education and Higher Education

Overview & Synopsis

Texas' ability to create an education system that delivers on workforce and post-secondary readiness for all students is crucial to our long-term prosperity. We must fully transform our state's education system to meet the challenges and opportunities so clearly evident today. Yet, according to a report commissioned by the Houston Endowment from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, only 20 percent of Texas students are earning any sort of postsecondary credential within six years of expected high school graduation. Without a doubt, Texas is losing its workforce competitiveness in terms of education and the implications, given the high correlation between income and education, are dire for our state's ongoing economic vitality. How state leaders respond to this clarion call for education reform will ultimately define our ability to remain globally competitive, create jobs, attract investment and expand our dynamic economy. This paper presents K-12 education policy recommendations.