Senator Ted Cruz

Look, that's absolutely right. And to understand the level of waste, since the Department of Education was created in 1979, it has spent over $3 trillion. $3 trillion. Now, what has the result been? The result is, despite per pupil spending increasing by over 245% since the 1970s, Math scores have continued to decline.

Look, that's absolutely right. And to understand the level of waste, since the Department of Education was created in 1979, it has spent over $3 trillion. $3 trillion. Now, what has the result been? The result is, despite per pupil spending increasing by over 245% since the 1970s, Math scores have continued to decline.

Look, that's absolutely right. And to understand the level of waste, since the Department of Education was created in 1979, it has spent over $3 trillion. $3 trillion. Now, what has the result been? The result is, despite per pupil spending increasing by over 245% since the 1970s, Math scores have continued to decline.

Reading scores have continued to decline, particularly among low performing students. Eighth grade reading proficiency has fallen to its lowest level in 32 years, with over a third of students failing to demonstrate basic reading skills appropriate for their grade. Only 67% of eighth graders meet basic reading skills. Only 60% of fourth graders meet basic reading skills.

Reading scores have continued to decline, particularly among low performing students. Eighth grade reading proficiency has fallen to its lowest level in 32 years, with over a third of students failing to demonstrate basic reading skills appropriate for their grade. Only 67% of eighth graders meet basic reading skills. Only 60% of fourth graders meet basic reading skills.

Reading scores have continued to decline, particularly among low performing students. Eighth grade reading proficiency has fallen to its lowest level in 32 years, with over a third of students failing to demonstrate basic reading skills appropriate for their grade. Only 67% of eighth graders meet basic reading skills. Only 60% of fourth graders meet basic reading skills.

Reading scores on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress fell two points on average for both eighth and fourth graders, and there's been a steady decline in reading that predates COVID-era disruptions. I'm going to give you a stat that is stunning. In 2023, 13 high schools in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reading scores on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress fell two points on average for both eighth and fourth graders, and there's been a steady decline in reading that predates COVID-era disruptions. I'm going to give you a stat that is stunning. In 2023, 13 high schools in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reading scores on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress fell two points on average for both eighth and fourth graders, and there's been a steady decline in reading that predates COVID-era disruptions. I'm going to give you a stat that is stunning. In 2023, 13 high schools in Baltimore, Maryland.

How many students in 13 high schools in Baltimore, Maryland do you think tested proficient in mathematics?

How many students in 13 high schools in Baltimore, Maryland do you think tested proficient in mathematics?

How many students in 13 high schools in Baltimore, Maryland do you think tested proficient in mathematics?

Zero. Wow. 13 high schools had not even a single student, not a single senior, not a single junior, not a single sophomore, not a single freshman. Had zero students in the entire high school test proficient in math. 13 schools. Now, look. If you were a leader in Baltimore, Maryland, you ought to be really unhappy about this. You ought to be demanding change.

Zero. Wow. 13 high schools had not even a single student, not a single senior, not a single junior, not a single sophomore, not a single freshman. Had zero students in the entire high school test proficient in math. 13 schools. Now, look. If you were a leader in Baltimore, Maryland, you ought to be really unhappy about this. You ought to be demanding change.

Zero. Wow. 13 high schools had not even a single student, not a single senior, not a single junior, not a single sophomore, not a single freshman. Had zero students in the entire high school test proficient in math. 13 schools. Now, look. If you were a leader in Baltimore, Maryland, you ought to be really unhappy about this. You ought to be demanding change.

You are graduating students who can't read. You're graduating students who are not proficient in math. And what is happening, the Democrats, they have a basic choice. Do you care about the kids or do you care about money from the teachers unions? Now, as you mentioned, I'm in Austin today.

You are graduating students who can't read. You're graduating students who are not proficient in math. And what is happening, the Democrats, they have a basic choice. Do you care about the kids or do you care about money from the teachers unions? Now, as you mentioned, I'm in Austin today.

You are graduating students who can't read. You're graduating students who are not proficient in math. And what is happening, the Democrats, they have a basic choice. Do you care about the kids or do you care about money from the teachers unions? Now, as you mentioned, I'm in Austin today.

I went to the state capitol, and I went on to the floor of the House, and I'll tell you, the floor of the House, they actually read a commendation thanking me for my leadership in school choice. School choice for me has been a passion for 30 years. I've spent 30 years fighting for school choice. I believe school choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.

I went to the state capitol, and I went on to the floor of the House, and I'll tell you, the floor of the House, they actually read a commendation thanking me for my leadership in school choice. School choice for me has been a passion for 30 years. I've spent 30 years fighting for school choice. I believe school choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.