Senator Ted Cruz

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.

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 think there is no other domestic policy that matters more, and I believe every child in Texas... And every child in America deserves access to an excellent education regardless of their race, regardless of their ethnicity, regardless of their wealth or their zip code. And Texas is on the verge.

I think there is no other domestic policy that matters more, and I believe every child in Texas... And every child in America deserves access to an excellent education regardless of their race, regardless of their ethnicity, regardless of their wealth or their zip code. And Texas is on the verge.

I think there is no other domestic policy that matters more, and I believe every child in Texas... And every child in America deserves access to an excellent education regardless of their race, regardless of their ethnicity, regardless of their wealth or their zip code. And Texas is on the verge.

of passing the largest school choice program in America and it is historic one out of every 10 school kids in America is in the state of Texas so for Texas to lead is a big big deal and I'll tell you I have been engaging so for the past six years I engage in primaries in the state of Texas against state legislators who oppose school choice. And I'll tell you, there are 100 U.S. senators.

of passing the largest school choice program in America and it is historic one out of every 10 school kids in America is in the state of Texas so for Texas to lead is a big big deal and I'll tell you I have been engaging so for the past six years I engage in primaries in the state of Texas against state legislators who oppose school choice. And I'll tell you, there are 100 U.S. senators.

of passing the largest school choice program in America and it is historic one out of every 10 school kids in America is in the state of Texas so for Texas to lead is a big big deal and I'll tell you I have been engaging so for the past six years I engage in primaries in the state of Texas against state legislators who oppose school choice. And I'll tell you, there are 100 U.S. senators.

To the best of my knowledge, 99 of them stay out of primaries in their own state. And there's a reason for that. When you get involved in a primary in your own state, it's bad politics. It's stupid. It hurts you. Why? Because when you do it, the old rule of thumb is you get half their friends and all their enemies.