Hutchison Touts Education Plan In El Paso
Says Perry neglected state dropout rate that costs Texas economy billions
El Paso, TX – At an event in El Paso, Kay Bailey Hutchison today touted her plan to improve education in Texas and tackle the current dropout rate that costs the state’s economy billions of dollars per year. Transportation and education are fundamental to our continued economic success. They have gone unaddressed during Rick Perry’s tenure.
“This election is about the future of our Texas. We must look ahead and implement policies that will ensure Texas remains the greatest state in the nation. That is why I am running for governor so that the Texas of tomorrow is as strong as the Texas of today,” said Hutchison. “I have a plan to improve education and tackle the immoral 30 percent dropout rate that costs our economy $9 billion a year. If we do not improve the dropout rate, we will not continue to attract business and create jobs.”
Hutchison highlighted a recent study by the Alliance for Excellent Education showing that cutting the number of high-school dropouts in half in El Paso County could increase wages by about $33 million and raise state and local tax revenues by about $3 million.
“I am deeply committed to making sure our students enter the Texas workforce with the skills necessary for another century of economic achievement,” said Hutchison. “Education is the most valuable economic investment of all. We need to do better in this area and I have a plan to do so.”
Hutchison applauded efforts of El Paso Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Lorenzo García, who also attended the event, in improving graduation rates during the past several years with new initiatives that target at-risk students.
“When I am governor, my comprehensive education plan will help develop the 21st century classroom, with new e-Learning devices and an electronically accessible curriculum,” said Hutchison. “I will help steer our best and brightest to the teaching profession. I will work with superintendents like Dr. Garcia to stem the tide of school dropouts and prepare students for the 21st century workforce by encouraging all students to graduate from high school and go on to university or, at a minimum, earn community college or career college credit towards a marketable skill or trade during their high school years.”
“I will encourage all schools to implement the practices of the most efficient Texas schools in order to protect Texas taxpayers while spurring necessary reforms. I will restore local control to schools and school districts so they can do what is best for our children with the least interference from state regulation.”
Read Hutchison’s plan to strengthen education here.