North Texas private school headmaster gives her perspective on school choice vouchers
CBS News Texas is dedicated to keeping you informed on the current state of education in Texas with a new segment called "The Learning Curve." You can watch "The Learning Curve" every weekday morning during CBS News Texas Mornings at 6 a.m. If you have something education-related you would like us to look into, send us an email at
texaseducations@cbs.com
.
If Texas'
proposed school choice bill
is passed, it could send shockwaves through private and public schools.
With the bill
, most students would receive just over $10,000, with
higher amounts available
for those with disabilities. Homeschooling families could receive up to $2,000.
The money would come from state tax dollars, with lawmakers proposing to allocate $1 billion from Texas' budget surplus for the program. If passed, the program would go into effect during the 2026–2027 school year, giving the Texas Comptroller's Office one year to implement the logistics and educate the public.
Still,
opposition remains
, particularly from rural lawmakers who fear the measure could siphon funds away from public schools.
Deborah Hof, headmaster at Selwyn School, an independent day school in Argyle, recently sat down with CBS News Texas to talk about how the program would impact her students. Selwyn School is K-12th grade and has 135 students enrolled.
Lacey Beasley
: From a bird's eye view, how do you see this potentially impacting Selwyn?
Hof
: You know, that's a really good question because I don't know. As far as I can tell from the legislation I've read so far, it seems like it's going to be really a small number of kids. I'm not anticipating an influx of applicants. I think this, no matter how well this legislation is written, is going to be confusing for a long time.
Beasley
: Some students could get $10,000 with [the vouchers]. There's also the question of, would tuition rise along with that? Would those kind of cancel out?
Hof
: I'm certainly not going to talk about other private schools because I promise you, I've heard the conversation as well. The answer for Selwyn is absolutely not. That is not the goal. The goal is not to use public tax money to raise our tuition.
Beasley
: Would Selwyn consider declining the vouchers?
Hof
: Absolutely. Without a doubt. The way the law is written [it] says this is about giving parents choice. It's not about the state deciding what curriculum is used. Very few, I'm not going to say none, I think it might be none, but very few independent schools take any state or federal money, and we're not going to take any money if it means that we have to sidestep our mission. And when we finally get a decision and we can read every single word in the legislation, we can make an informed decision. I think you're going to find that more private schools say no than you think.
Beasley
: How do you think this will impact public education?
Hof
: OK, so this is a little more personal and a little less professional. I don't know how else to say that. It a little bit breaks my heart. I said earlier, I'm going to say it again. Public schools have to be fabulous for any of us to be fabulous. And so, as I think it through, I can't imagine how it's not going to hurt the public schools.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Michael Beasley shares why he hates the narrative that Luka Doncic is out of shape: "When I'm scoring 50, tell me then to get in shape"
Luka Doncic may be a transcendent talent, but two significant flaws have overshadowed the Los Angeles Lakers superstar's career. One is his lack of effort on the defensive end, which was abundantly apparent in their first-round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in this year's NBA Playoffs. Another is his lack of conditioning, which fans and analysts have pointed to as the main reason the Dallas Mavericks stunningly traded him to the Purple & Gold before this season's trade deadline. Advertisement However, one former NBA veteran, Michael Beasley, has pushed back against that popular narrative, claiming that if the Slovenian ace doesn't have optimal physical conditioning, he wouldn't be able to put up the numbers he regularly does or even lead the Mavs to the NBA Finals last season. You have to be in shape to put up a lot of shots in the NBA The NBA is a grown man's league, wherein getting a shot off takes a lot of strength and stamina. In his eight-year NBA career, the 6'6" guard has averaged over 20 shots a game, proving his ability to handle the physical demands of the league. It's a point that Beasley, the second-overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, champions. "I hate this narrative on Luka, right? It's just something that I'm hearing in the news. I hate this like "out of shape" narrative that I'm hearing, 'cause it's like everybody that's saying he's out of shape is the same ones that's cheering hurrah hurrah when he's scoring 50 points or 60 points," the left-handed forward said. Advertisement Beasley, who last played in the Association for the Lakers in 2019, added that this critique of Doncic's game only comes out of the woodwork whenever his team loses. However, it all fades when the native of Ljubljana, Slovenia, drops 73 points on defenses designed to stop his every move. "In order to score 50, you got to be in shape to shoot 30 shots at least, right? Especially in the NBA. When it works, what shape are we speaking about? It's like you always got to find something bad to say about him. And it's like—why? Like bro, sometimes the other guy was just better and just bust their ass. And just really bust their ass. And it's as simple as that," "Beas" pointed out. Related: Michael Jordan warned the NBA about pushing the "next MJ" narrative: "There's a danger to that, the credibility of the game can take a hit" Don't try to ruin a man's reputation Luka was keen on staying a member of the Mavs organization for his entire career. He had helped build something special in Dallas after the team acquired him in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, the Mavs' decision-makers did not believe in "The Don" as much as the latter believed in his team. And not only did Dallas trade him, but they also tried to assassinate his character on his way out with talks regarding his subpar physical conditioning. It was something that Beasley certainly took offense with. Advertisement "It's like, when I'm scoring 50, tell me then to get in shape," the "Walking Bucket" stressed. "The second I get a turnover, or the second I don't win one of the games that you clearly been paying me — now I'm out of shape?" "That s**t messes up the players' money. And the organizations know what they're doing. That's not fair," he added. With the Lakers' offseason starting earlier than they would have liked, it seems like Doncic has not wasted any time getting to work. He recently attended a basketball game of his former team, Real Madrid, and looked to be in great shape. While there is no doubt that "Luka Magic" has natural talent, his dedication to staying fit and improving his game only bodes well for him and the Lakers moving forward. Related: "Keep putting him in trade rumors for second string centers" - Austin Reaves' agent issues warning amid constant trade rumors
CBS News
29-05-2025
- CBS News
School discipline bill passes Texas House, heads to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk
The 89th Texas legislative session ends in less than a week. Here are outstanding bills The 89th Texas legislative session ends in less than a week. Here are outstanding bills The 89th Texas legislative session ends in less than a week. Here are outstanding bills A bill that would allow suspensions for students from pre-K to second grade passed in the Texas House late Wednesday night and is off to the governor's desk. House Bill 6 details how to discipline students in pre-K through second grade and homeless students when there is a repeated and significant disruption. It would overturn Texas laws that previously protected those students. Senators have previously softened those guidelines, which gives individual schools more autonomy to discipline students. The latest version allows in-student suspensions for as long as the school sees fit, as long as principals review placements every 10 days. Under HB 6, students can be suspended if there's an offense related to weapons; if students threaten the immediate health and safety of others; or if they repeatedly or significantly disrupt the classroom, as determined by the campus administrator. "It's common sense to give teachers the authority to remove disruptive students from classrooms," Gov. Greg Abbott posted on social media after the bill was passed. "We must restore discipline in our schools." Two Kennedale ISD educators recently told CBS News Texas their pros and cons of the bill. "I watched a 5-year-old tear up a kindergarten classroom, and when I say tear it up, I mean destroy it. It's real," said. Kennedale ISD superintendent Dr. Chad Gee. "And how are those teachers supposed to educate all the students in their classrooms with that going on?"
CBS News
29-05-2025
- CBS News
The suspects in the deadly Grapevine Lake jet ski crash are in the U.S. illegally. What's next in the investigation?
What could happen to the suspects in the deadly Grapevine Lake jet ski crash? What could happen to the suspects in the deadly Grapevine Lake jet ski crash? What could happen to the suspects in the deadly Grapevine Lake jet ski crash? Since the suspects in the deadly Grapevine Lake jet ski crash were confirmed to be in the country illegally, federal immigration officials are now involved in the investigation. The investigation into the watercraft death of Ava Moore is ongoing, according to investigators. The current criminal charges for Daikerlyn Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo do not reflect capital murder. Contrasting statements from authorities on the severity of charges and immigration proceedings highlight the complex legal and immigration issues surrounding the case. What we know about the legal hierarchy in the Grapevine Lake jet ski crash: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott revved up criminal responsibility in the death of Moore. He posted on social media, "Welcome to Texas. Here's your death penalty." CBS News Texas pressed Abbott for clarity because the suspects' charges and the facts, as written by investigators, have not reflected a capital crime. In response to the inquiry, Abbott's press office shared the following statement: "The State of Texas has no tolerance for heinous criminals who kill Texans. The victim's family deserves swift justice, and the criminal illegal immigrants should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. All Texans deserve protection from unchecked criminal activity." Moore was killed, according to the Grapevine Police Department and Texas Game Wardens, on May 25. Investigators said Daikerlyn Gonzalez and a passenger, who does not face criminal charges, were riding on a jet ski. Witnesses, police said, told them Gonzalez was speeding and driving recklessly. Investigators said she hit a kayak with Moore in it. Police said Perozo helped Gonzalez flee the area, allegedly crashing into two vehicles to escape. A joint investigation led to the arrests of the two Venezuelan nationals, who were in the country unlawfully. Gonzalez faces a charge of manslaughter. Perozo faces charges of collision involving a vehicle and hindering an arrest. Dallas ICE agents said the two had been in the country illegally since 2023. They were caught and released, according to ICE's leader in Dallas. "They were arrested at the time of entry, processed for a notice to appear, and then released on their own recognizance," said Joshua Johnson, the acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas. But federal involvement doesn't mean agents have taken over. Grapevine PD is the lead investigative agency with layers of support from the state and federal government. Nor does it mean the suspects' immigration issues will outweigh what they currently face in state court, especially Gonzalez. "[When] there sort of like a loophole where folks are charged with serious state crimes, they bond out, get put into immigration custody, and then are whisked away back to their country as a means to avoid the state charges," Daniel Stewart said. The Carrollton-based immigration attorney spoke with CBS News Texas about what happens next in a high-stakes criminal case involving a felony, a death, immigration, and a joint investigation. "In my experience, while there are some gaps in communication between the state and federal immigration, typically, especially with charges this serious, that doesn't happen," Johnson said. ICE said that it has immigration detainers and has initiated removal proceedings for Perozo and Gonzalez, but that does not mean that agents can take over. ICE's scope is limited to immigration, not manslaughter or other criminal charges. He said the case could provide perspective to an immigration judge eventually. ICE was open about its stance, which Johnson spoke about in a news conference on Wednesday. "Once the State of Texas goes through the process and the criminal charges, we'll take custody of them," Johnson said. A victim's advocate for Grapevine PD read a statement from Ava Moore's family. It snuffed the fire of Abbott's statement with a note of mercy:
