The Problem- Despite billions of dollars being spent on education in Texas, our schools are in disarray. Almost two-thirds of Texas teachers seriously considered leaving education for good at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

At the same time, the quality of education in Texas continues to drop. District 47 is no exception. Of all the students in HD-47, 3,999 (21.8) are below grade level in Reading. 4,752 (29.9%) are below grade level in Math. Once they fall behind, 97% of students do not catch up. This effects their whole life.

What college can they get accepted at? Are they employable after high school? Statistics show in the highest in-demand trades like automotive, carpentry and electrical that have around 1835 job openings per year, only 73 of those 1835 vacancies are filled by ISD completers.

Students are supposed to graduate high school ready for college or a profession or the military. It’s clear, for most, this is not happening.

Solution(s)- Parents need to be empowered. Parents know all too well that every child is different. They have different learning styles, different passions, different strengths and weaknesses.

Then why do we impose a one size fits all approach?

The money should follow the child, and the parents should determine their child’s future, not a zip code.

This is an issue of grave importance for the ongoing economic prosperity of Texas. If we fail to implement necessary changes promptly, businesses in sectors such as healthcare, finance, technology, and education will struggle to fill both their existing and future job openings..

Why Scott? He has vast experience in education:

• Ran a private K-12 school in Pretoria, South Africa that followed both a British and US curriculum.

• Co-owned the Aerospace Leadership Academy to help educate and train future aviation and aerospace leaders.

• Familiar with other successful overseas systems like Switzerland’s vocational education and training (VET).

• Spent many years as a professor and researcher.

• Served three years on the University Aviation Association Board and chaired the flight education committee, working with some of the best higher education institutions in America.

• Well versed in new technology such as virtual technology and the value it brings to learning (Read Scott’s March 2024 article on flight training taking off with VR) .

Scott advocates for solutions that do not entail the abandonment of public schools; rather, he supports their enhancement. Having attended public school himself, he currently has four children in middle and high school who are all enrolled in public education.

It is essential our public schools establish stronger collaborations with industry. Our diligent and talented students should be acquiring meaningful experience through apprenticeship programs. Additionally, we should utilize the expertise of retired professionals in the Austin area. They possess valuable skills and knowledge that should be passed on to the next generation. Moreover, industry can help develop more specialized schools, public and/or private, in specific high-demand sectors.

Scott holds a strong conviction regarding the importance of practical experience as a means of learning, as well as a catalyst for innovation. This is irrespective of the educational institution. As we enter 2025, it is evident that numerous technologies exist that could be effectively integrated into the classroom, yet they aren’t.

If Texas wants to start solving our education-related problems, voting for Scott is your logical choice.

Scott’s story- Watch Scott talk about the experience he had with his eldest son Matthew, who was on his way to failing his freshman year of high school and then changed to a new private school in downtown Austin. Today, Scott and his wife Taylor are proud to report that Matthew is studying engineering at Texas A&M.