Today Governor Abbott (Republican – Texas) asked the Texas Education Agency to form a task force to develop solutions to the state’s teacher shortage. This may be the worst announcement that the governor made during his time in Austin. A recent poll found that 66% of respondents had considered leaving teaching this past year.

The state’s actions are part of a nationwide attack on education by conservatives.

Today Governor Abbott (Republican – Texas) asked the Texas Education Agency to form a task force to develop solutions to the state’s teacher shortage. This may be the worst announcement that the governor made during his time in Austin. A recent poll found that 66% of respondents had considered leaving teaching this past year.

The state’s actions were part of a nationwide attack on education by conservatives.

Abbott wants a remedy for the problem he created. The governor and legislature’s actions bear the responsibility for the shortage.

The state’s actions were part of a nationwide attack on education by conservatives.

• The governor forced school districts to abandon mask requirements. This exposed teachers and students to the Covid virus and helped spread the disease. Rather than suffer from the virus, teachers stayed at home or resigned.

• The legislature and governor issued a demand to remove pornographic literature from public and school libraries. They asked citizens to report any violations. Some of these books were about race and gender issues and included important writings on a variety of topics. Citizens already have the ability to complain about “obscene” books and lessons.

• Abbott’s platform required teachers to provide all classroom materials for the entire year to be placed on the Internet for review by parents and school boards.

• The governor targeted the removal of teacher licenses for those who give students “obscene” content.

• Texas legislators demanded critical the removal of critical race theory lessons and discussions. Evidently, the governor did not know that K-12 schools did not discuss the topic.

• His actions have politicized education and school boards.

• None of the governor’s comments addressed the problem of teachers’ pay and benefits for retired teachers.  re part of a nationwide attack on education by conservatives.

Abbott wants a remedy for the problem he created. The governor and legislature’s actions bear the responsibility for the shortage.