MJ’s Record on Education

Hegar Is An Opponent Of School Choice And Has Criticized Charter Schools

When Asked About Vouchers And Charter Schools At An AFL-CIO Debate, Hegar Pledged To Oppose “Anything That Diverts Public Funds” From Public Schools. QUESTION: “But the public education system in our country and state remains underfunded and under attack. Will you oppose all forms of private school vouchers, so-called opportunity scholarships, or tuition tax credits? And will you support legislation to increase transparency and accountability and to stop the spread of charter schools?” … HEGAR: “Yes. I am against anything that diverts public funds and tax money to public schools. I am for thinking outside the box. And I think we have some solutions that teachers have brought forward that we should consider.” (MJ Hegar, Remarks At An AFL-CIO Candidate Debate, 1/25/20; 35:45-38:50)

In 2020, Hegar Accused Charter Schools Of “Cherry-Pick[Ing] Their Students” And Leaving Public Schools “Overburdened With A Higher Than Proportionate Numbers Of Special-Needs Students.” QUESTION: “Betsy DeVos awarded $65 million to expand charter schools across the country this past April 10^th. $17.6 million was specifically earmarked for charter schools in Texas. However, current policies allow hiring uncertified teachers, background checks for students as a condition of enrollment, inadequate staffing for students with special needs. … How would you ensure the U.S. Department of Education fosters rural schools and truly protect and enhance traditional public schools which accept all students?” HEGAR: “By not confirming people like that who don’t know what they’re talking about. By making sure that we have teachers at the table for these conversations because sometimes legislation goes through. This is what I mean by we need regular people who have faced everyday challenges to be legislating. Because sometimes legislation will come through that ends up having an unintended consequence that nobody saw because they’ve been in this little ivory tower bubble of D.C. for 30 years. So I think that there are some charter schools doing good. But we cannot allow charter schools to cherry-pick their students, to allow other schools, other public schools to be overburdened with a higher than proportionate numbers of special-needs students. It’s not fair to the students. It’s not fair to the teachers. And I just think, you know, a lot of these missteps can be avoided if we have teachers at the table during the formulation of the legislation instead of after the fact reacting to it.” (MJ Hegar, Remarks At East Dallas Democrats May Virtual Meeting, 5/5/20; 54:20-56:40)

Hegar: “I Think That We Need To Hold Public Charter Schools To The Same Standards Of Financial Transparency, And Health, And Safety, And Academic Accountability – Those Same Standards As We Hold Public Schools To.” HEGAR: “And so you know I oppose policies like vouchers that our position is choice, right? But in reality, it’s really just to cut or siphon funding from public schools. And that really disproportionately hits rural Texas at its core. It’s a big part of why my campaign has enjoyed so much support from rural Texas that has traditionally voted a little bit, you know, well traditionally voted for John Cornyn. They see that he’s not fighting for the things that would help their families, things like defending and investing in public education. I think that we need to hold public charter schools to the same standards of financial transparency, and health, and safety, and academic accountability – those same standards as we hold public schools to. You know, this idea that our politicians they think that they can just pull the wool over our eyes about these issues. We’ve got to hold more events like this. We’ve got to educate the public. We’ve got to involve parents and teachers in these conversations. And stop letting these, you know, often career politicians who have lived their lives in a bubble of privilege make these decisions for us.” (MJ Hegar, Remarks At Virtual Education Town Hall, 9/12/20; 25:02-26:12)
Hegar: “I Oppose Policies Like Vouchers … It’s Really Just To Cut Or Siphon Funding From Public Schools.” HEGAR: “And so you know I oppose policies like vouchers that our position is choice, right? But in reality, it’s really just to cut or siphon funding from public schools. And that really disproportionately hits rural Texas at its core. It’s a big part of why my campaign has enjoyed so much support from rural Texas that has traditionally voted a little bit, you know, well traditionally voted for John Cornyn. They see that he’s not fighting for the things that would help their families, things like defending and investing in public education. I think that we need to hold public charter schools to the same standards of financial transparency, and health, and safety, and academic accountability – those same standards as we hold public schools to. You know, this idea that our politicians they think that they can just pull the wool over our eyes about these issues. We’ve got to hold more events like this. We’ve got to educate the public. We’ve got to involve parents and teachers in these conversations. And stop letting these, you know, often career politicians who have lived their lives in a bubble of privilege make these decisions for us.” (MJ Hegar, Remarks At Virtual Education Town Hall, 9/12/20; 25:02-26:12)