NEW: Hinojosa Holds Press Conference on Abbott-Controlled ISD Introducing AI to the Classroom

Hinojosa: “They took the schools away from the people, so they could have their way with our kids and use them as commodities instead of the children that they are. That’s what is at stake in this election.”

Houston, TX – Today, Democratic Nominee for Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa, joined by ATPE President Eli Rodriguez, HFT President Jackie Anderson, AFT members, Houston ISD parents, and retired educators, held a press conference addressing Texans’ concerns about AI in schools outside of the Houston ISD building. HISD, which was taken over by Greg Abbott and Mike Morath’s Texas Education Agency (TEA) in 2023, has earmarked seven more schools to implement AI this year, costing taxpayers $4.5 million. The state plans to turn 100 public schools into AI schools.

“Greg Abbott’s plan is to convert 100 public schools into AI schools and experiment on our children with AI,” said Hinojosa. “Please understand the motivation: Greg Abbott has received millions of dollars from MacKenzie Price, who owns and operates AI schools. These are schools where teachers are replaced by education guides, where kids spend hours in front of screens, and that is their education. This is a model that threatens our public school kids across this state.”

“I’m a retired principal and a Republican, and I am here to promote a candidate who offers change,” said Retired Conroe and Klein ISD principal Pat Huff. “We have an opportunity to right the ship of public education. First time we’ve had that opportunity in 30 years. Abbott is not listening, and of course, his crony Morath is not listening. I’ve been before them many times. They have their own agenda, and AI is the next part of that agenda. So I urge everyone to get out to the polls, vote for Gina, and let’s have a real shot at getting our education system back.”

“The curriculum in the majority of HISD schools is AI slop. There are incorrect choices on math worksheets, misspelled words on maps, and inaccurate history depictions in social studies,” said HISD parent Marcie Nuñez Jones. “AI curriculum in HISD makes our teachers’ jobs harder just as we’re facing a shortage. We want teachers who connect with our kids – this is what makes learning come to life. There is a place for AI, but it is not a replacement for accurate and interesting curriculum being taught by experienced and caring teachers.”

In June, Gina Hinojosa released her plan to save Texas public schools by firing Mike Morath and appointing an educator to lead the TEA, ending the voucher scam and corrupt STAAR test, returning school districts that have been taken over back to their communities, and wiping clean Abbott’s no-bid vendor contracts and using that money to make Texas teachers among the highest paid in the country. 

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