One of the most pressing issues in the State of Texas is the state legislature's attempt to pass school vouchers at the expense and dissatisfaction of the citizens of Texas. In a state where public education funding is severely low, 46 of 50 states to be exact, taking more money from public schools is detrimental to public education's security and overall success. In Arlington ISD, the special education program was underfunded by $19 million alone. If a full-scale voucher were to pass in Arlington ISD, the district could be forced to lay off over 400 teachers and increase class sizes, of which some teachers are already subject to classes of 30 or more students. 

If this were to pass in Texas, the obvious results would be districts cutting budgets, teachers losing jobs, class sizes increasing, specialized programs and classes potentially being cut, the closing down of entire campuses, continued practice of unequal accountability systems for public schools, worsening existing inequalities and creating new ones, and the silent dismantlement of public education as whole. In many districts across the state, parents have choices because districts offer countless programs for students to get ahead, from career and technical to dual enrollment early college programs. 

Now is the time to act because now is the time when public education is facing its largest and most dire challenge from the State and Federal levels of government. We must fight as students, parents, and public educators to save public education, as it is a staple to the future success of the country. Education is a right, not a privilege, and under no circumstances should we undermine the future minds who will one day lead this country into new ages and new challenges issued by those who wish to eliminate us in our global leadership.