FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 15, 2023
CONTACT: press@texasaft.org
Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on a leaked audio recording of the Texas Education Agency deputy commissioner advocating for school vouchers.
“’Maybe that’s one less fourth grade teacher.’ Is that how the conversation normally goes inside TEA?
Inside the state agency charged with overseeing our public schools, is it typical to advocate for defunding them and laying off teachers?
Is this the kind of wisdom we can expect if TEA’s Teacher Vacancy Task Force ever releases its report?
The deputy commissioner should damn well be fired or resign, but his comments really put a final puzzle piece in place: There is a statewide push — even among presumably non-political agencies — to dismantle public education.
That ought to be the headline in every town across this state.”
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The Texas American Federation of Teachers represents 66,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. Texas AFT is affiliated with the 1.7-million-member American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.