Texas Public Policy Foundation, January 14, 2008

PRI's Vicki Murray participated in this policy orientation event sponsored by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Other presenters included Texas Rep. Scott Hochberg, The Honorable Ron Wilson, and Dr. Bruce Shortt. The moderator was Jamie Story.

From school finance reform in Texas to No Child Left Behind at the federal level, policymakers have tried to improve public schools by implementing new testing requirements and accountability measures, along with efforts like incentive pay to reward the best teachers. This panel will explore past and current efforts at public school reform and where we stand today. Are these reforms enough and are they working? How are Texas public schools performing? Do public schools need wholesale reform like school choice, or is more funding enough to improve public schools? Who should take the lead on these reforms?

 Texas Public Schools: Top in the Class, a Few Rotten Apples, or Mired in Mediocrity?