I have chosen a career in public education because I believe that above all else, the greatest thing we can do in our lives is leave behind a better world than we found. As an educator, I try to change lives for the better, and hopefully change the world. Unfortunately, at some point it was decided that we could measure greatness with multiple-choice questions, expand knowledge through the blunt instrument of bureaucracy, and justify mediocrity through statistics.

If we are to ensure the brightest future for Texas, we must make sure teachers are allowed to teach, students are allowed to learn, and parents are given a voice in their child’s education.

To this end, we must first dispose of the nonsensical, wasteful practice of high stakes testing. Accountability is a great idea, but we do not live in an “A, B, C”, or “Not Here” world. My very first act as state representative would be to push for a law effectively banning any high stakes test that the members of the Legislature cannot pass themselves. If lawmakers believe the TAKS and End of Course Exams are so important, they should practice what they preach.

In order to ensure that teachers are properly compensated for their service to our state, we must first ban all branches of government from dipping into the TRS retirement fund. It is not fair to pay off political debts with the hard earned money of educators.

Lastly, we need to recognize that the one size fits all, state bureaucracy philosophy of education is not working. As state representative, I will demand that local interests; instead of red tape, steer the direction of our public education system. When individual districts and campuses are given the room to solve their specific problems, teachers will be encouraged to be creative, students will be engaged and challenged, and parents will truly have a say in their child’s education.




		2. Education is the Future I have chosen a career in public education because I believe that above all else, the greatest thing we can do in our lives is leave behind a better world than we found. As an educator, I try to change lives for the better, and hopefully change the world. Unfortunately, at some point it was decided that we could measure greatness with multiple-choice questions, expand knowledge through the blunt instrument of bureaucracy, and justify mediocrity through statistics. If we are to ensure the brightest future for Texas, we must make sure teachers are allowed to teach, students are allowed to learn, and parents are given a voice in their child’s education. To this end, we must first dispose of the nonsensical, wasteful practice of high stakes testing. Accountability is a great idea, but we do not live in an “A, B, C”, or “Not Here” world. My very first act as state representative would be to push for a law effectively banning any high stakes test that the members of the Legislature cannot pass themselves. If lawmakers believe the TAKS and End of Course Exams are so important, they should practice what they preach. In order to ensure that teachers are properly compensated for their service to our state, we must first ban all branches of government from dipping into the TRS retirement fund. It is not fair to pay off political debts with the hard earned money of educators. Lastly, we need to recognize that the one size fits all, state bureaucracy philosophy of education is not working. As state representative, I will demand that local interests; instead of red tape, steer the direction of our public education system. When individual districts and campuses are given the room to solve their specific problems, teachers will be encouraged to be creative, students will be engaged and challenged, and parents will truly have a say in their child’s education.



	Pol. adv. paid for, created, and endorsed by the Jason Jordan campaign.