Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Public schools continue to face serious challenges such as increased enrollment, decreased funding, aging facilities and changing technology, and the need to hire quality teachers. The problems in our community have continued to be overcrowded classrooms, which puts a strain on our educators and hurts academic achievement rates. Representative Wu consistently fought for legislation during the 83rd Legislative Session that sought to restore $3.9 billion dollars to public education funding which will begin to relieve some of the stress our schools face.

The emphasis of over-testing in the classroom takes away the authentic education experience our children deserve. Representative Wu co-authored HB 5, which reduces the number of state standardized tests high school students must take to graduate. This law will also create a standard diploma that allows every student the opportunity to apply to a four-year university in Texas and gives students the flexibility to pursue diploma endorsements in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), business or arts and humanities.

Another focus for Representative Wu is expanding access to higher education. He authored HB 1409, expanding the course credit by examination options available for students at institutions of higher education. Wu believes increasing access to higher education is critical to the development of a skilled workforce, which will ensure that Texas remains competitive nationally and globally.

One of Representative Wu's priorities for the 84th Legislative Session will be to expand access to Pre-K and Early Childhood programs for all families. Many students, especially from immigrant or lower-income families, being primary school already behind their classmates in terms of language and learning skills. These programs will help every child will begin school on the right foot.

Related Legislation

HB1409 -- expanding the course credit by examination options available for students at institutions of higher education.
HB 1410 -- improving college readiness and student tracking by allowing higher education institutes notify school districts of the amount of students which needed developmental coursework.
HB 2221 -- allowing a compliance report to be submitted to the United States Department of Education containing data concerning certain citations issued on public school property.

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