Thread by @ErinForYall

🧵There's a lie going around right now that unless Texas House Democrats go to the floor and pass a bill, funding for virtual learning can't be available to school districts.

I want to be very clear: this a lie, a lie that Governor Abbott is pushing to avoid accountability for his own refusal to protect Texas students -- both from COVID-19 itself and the learning disruptions school outbreaks cause.

In the 2020-2021 school year, Texas Education Agency, working with Governor Abbott, approved revised attendance guidelines and offered school districts a "hold harmless" for lost enrollment due to the pandemic.

What this means:
1. School districts received full funding for virtual students.
2. School districts were protected from rapid revenue losses due to the enrollment unpredictability.

The steps were taken entirely outside of the legislative process. TEA in consultation with the Governor's office made these changes because of the emergency situation on the ground that developed during summer 2020. This was appropriate use of emergency authority.

We are still under the same emergency, and in fact, the situation on the ground right now is in many ways *worse* than it was a year ago. Yet, TEA and the Governor have *not* taken these steps.

There is NOTHING stopping TEA & the Governor from implementing the exact same provisions to provide funding for remote learning options. It is a LIE that Texas legislators need to act for them to do so. The $ is already appropriated. This is about how TEA interprets "attendance".

If my presence on the House floor would result in better outcomes for Texas children, I would be there right now.
Here's what will happen if we go back right now:
The unneeded virtual bill will likely pass, BUT

-A bill banning mask requirements in Texas schools will likely also pass.
-A bill banning Texas schools from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine also *may* pass.

The vast majority of our kids truly need (don't take my word for it, this is the AAP's position) to be in the classroom wearing masks, with a virtual option. SB 15 opens the door to long term virtual education and would have lasting implications for our public education system.

These things are under Governor Abbott's & TEA's control. My body in the Capitol doesn't get us any closer to good outcomes for Texas schoolchildren. In fact, while school districts and counties across the state have to challenge the Governor on masks, it takes us further away.