Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker has spoken up about one of the hottest topics in Texas politics, voicing her approval for school choice and the expectation that it will be passed in the Lone Star State.
Parker made an appearance on Inside Texas Politics to discuss a wide variety of different topics, including the potential for school choice to be implemented in the state.
“I do think school vouchers, ESAs, will pass this session. All the writing is on the wall,” said Parker, per WFAA.
“So, I want to work with leadership at Fort Worth ISD, all 12 districts across the city of Fort Worth, to advocate on what they need to be successful as a traditional public school.”
Parker’s statements about school choice come shortly after the mayor presented critical remarks about the performance of the Fort Worth Independent School District, stating that “A great city demands a great public education system.”
“Fort Worth ISD is one of 12 public school districts in the city of Fort Worth, our largest ISD, and unfortunately, it has not kept pace with our city’s rapid ascent,” wrote the mayor in a letter to the nine-member school board, according to KERA News.
While the Republican mayor did not indicate whether she believes school choice could help Fort Worth ISD with these issues, she did instruct the school board to determine ways in which the district can improve.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has presented similar thoughts on the implementation of school choice in the state, stating in the past that he believes school choice should be passed in the state
Abbott made an appearance in Tyler, Texas, in November and said that school choice is “wanted by all demographic groups in the state of Texas.”
“Hispanics and African-Americans in the state of Texas, they strongly support school choice. Those parents want an option. They know their child better than any government employee does, and they want to put their child on the pathway toward success. School choice improves educational opportunities for minority and low-income students. Texas is going to make sure they have that opportunity,” said the governor, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Abbott’s desire for school choice in Texas has become a consistent fight for the governor after he also included the topic as one of the priorities for lawmakers in 2023 and called multiple special sessions in an attempt to pass legislation.
The governor said last year that passing school choice would “chart a brighter future for all Texas children by empowering parents to choose the best education option for their child,” per The Texas Tribune.
However, lawmakers clearly disagreed with the governor as school choice was not passed and is now expected to be one of the most discussed topics during the upcoming legislative session.
Texas lawmakers will now turn their attention to the 89th Texas Legislative regular session that is scheduled to run from January 14, 2025, until June 2, 2025.