10.1 Education policy

Texas education policy is complex, balancing state and local funding through property taxes and the Robin Hood plan. The system aims to provide equitable resources across districts, but debates persist over funding adequacy and fairness.

The Texas Education Agency oversees public education, while independent school districts have local control. The State Board of Education sets curriculum standards and approves textbooks, often sparking controversy over content in subjects like science and social studies.

Funding for public education

• Public education in Texas is funded through a combination of state and local sources, with the state providing a baseline level of funding and local districts supplementing through property taxes
• The balance between state and local funding has been a contentious issue, with debates over the adequacy and equity of the current system

State vs local funding

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• State funding for public education comes primarily from the General Revenue Fund, which is generated through sales taxes, franchise taxes, and other state revenue sources
• Local funding is primarily generated through property taxes levied by school districts, with wealthier districts able to raise more revenue due to higher property values
• The state provides a guaranteed level of funding per student, known as the Basic Allotment, which is then adjusted based on factors such as district size and student demographics

Property taxes and recapture

• School districts in Texas levy property taxes to fund their local share of education costs, with tax rates set by local school boards
• The state has implemented a "recapture" system, also known as "Robin Hood," which requires property-wealthy districts to send a portion of their local tax revenue to the state for redistribution to property-poor districts
• The recapture system aims to equalize funding between districts and ensure that all students have access to a basic level of educational resources

Robin Hood plan

• The "Robin Hood" plan, officially known as the Foundation School Program, was implemented in 1993 in response to a series of court rulings on school finance equity
• Under the plan, districts with property wealth per student above a certain threshold are required to send a portion of their local tax revenue to the state for redistribution
• The plan has been controversial, with property-wealthy districts arguing that it unfairly penalizes their local tax efforts and limits their ability to provide enhanced educational programs

Structure of Texas education system

• The Texas education system is overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and is structured around independent school districts and a variety of state-level boards and agencies
• The system serves over 5 million students in grades K-12, with a mix of traditional public schools, charter schools, and private schools

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

• The TEA is the state agency responsible for overseeing public education in Texas, including the distribution of state funding, the implementation of state education policies, and the accountability system for schools and districts
• The agency is led by the Commissioner of Education, who is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate
• The TEA provides a range of support services to schools and districts, including curriculum resources, professional development, and technical assistance

Independent school districts

• Texas has over 1,000 independent school districts, each governed by a locally-elected school board responsible for setting district policies, hiring superintendents, and overseeing district operations
• School districts range in size from small rural districts with a few hundred students to large urban districts with hundreds of thousands of students (Houston ISD, Dallas ISD)
• Districts have significant autonomy in areas such as curriculum, staffing, and budgeting, within the framework of state regulations and accountability requirements

State Board of Education (SBOE)

• The SBOE is a 15-member elected board responsible for setting curriculum standards, approving textbooks, and overseeing the state's Permanent School Fund
• The board is elected from single-member districts across the state, with members serving staggered four-year terms
• The SBOE has been the focus of controversy over issues such as the teaching of evolution, the inclusion of historical figures in the social studies curriculum, and the adoption of specific textbooks

Curriculum standards and textbooks

• The state of Texas has a significant influence on the national textbook market due to its large student population and centralized textbook adoption process
• The curriculum standards and textbook adoption process have been the subject of political and ideological debates, particularly in areas such as science and social studies

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

• The TEKS are the state's curriculum standards, outlining what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and in each subject area
• The standards are developed through a multi-year process involving input from educators, subject matter experts, and the general public, with final approval by the State Board of Education
• The TEKS cover a wide range of subjects, including English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and elective courses such as career and technical education

Textbook adoption process

• Texas has a centralized textbook adoption process, with the State Board of Education responsible for reviewing and approving textbooks and other instructional materials for use in public schools
• Publishers submit materials for review, which are then evaluated by teams of educators and subject matter experts for alignment with the TEKS and other quality criteria
• The SBOE makes final adoption decisions, with districts then able to choose from the approved materials list for their local use

Controversies over curriculum content

• The curriculum standards and textbook adoption process in Texas have been the subject of various controversies, often reflecting broader political and cultural debates
• In science education, there have been ongoing debates over the teaching of evolution and the inclusion of alternative theories such as intelligent design
• In social studies, there have been controversies over the representation of historical figures, the emphasis on patriotism and American exceptionalism, and the coverage of issues such as slavery and civil rights

School choice and alternatives

• Texas has a diverse educational landscape that includes traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling options
• The issue of school choice and the role of alternatives to traditional public schools has been a contentious one in Texas education policy debates

Charter schools in Texas

• Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate independently of traditional school districts, with increased flexibility in areas such as curriculum, staffing, and school calendar
• Texas has a growing number of charter schools, with over 700 charter campuses serving more than 300,000 students as of 2021
• Charter schools are subject to the same accountability and testing requirements as traditional public schools, but have more autonomy in their operations and are not subject to some regulations such as teacher certification requirements

Homeschooling regulations

• Texas has a relatively permissive environment for homeschooling, with no specific requirements for curriculum, testing, or teacher qualifications
• Parents who choose to homeschool their children must follow the state's compulsory attendance law and provide a bona fide curriculum, but there is no state oversight or regulation of homeschooling
• Homeschooling has grown in popularity in Texas, with an estimated 350,000 to 400,000 students being homeschooled as of 2020

Vouchers and school choice debate

• The issue of school vouchers, which would provide public funding for students to attend private schools, has been a contentious one in Texas education policy debates
• Proponents argue that vouchers would increase educational options for students and promote competition and innovation in the education system
• Opponents argue that vouchers would divert funding from public schools and undermine the public education system, while also raising concerns about accountability and the separation of church and state

Higher education in Texas

• Texas has a diverse higher education landscape that includes public universities, community colleges, and technical schools, serving over 1.6 million students
• The state has made efforts to increase access to higher education and improve completion rates, while also grappling with issues of affordability and workforce alignment

Public university systems

• Texas has six public university systems, each with multiple campuses across the state: The University of Texas System, the Texas A&M University System, the University of Houston System, the Texas State University System, the University of North Texas System, and the Texas Tech University System
• These systems include a range of institutions, from flagship research universities (University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University) to regional comprehensive universities and specialized institutions (medical schools, law schools)
• The state has also established goals for increasing the number of Tier One research universities, with a focus on elevating the national rankings and research output of institutions such as the University of Houston and Texas Tech University

Community colleges and technical schools

• Texas has a robust community college system, with 50 public community college districts serving over 700,000 students across the state
• Community colleges offer a range of programs, including associate's degrees, workforce certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities
• The state has also established the Texas State Technical College System, which includes 10 campuses focused on providing technical and vocational education aligned with workforce needs

Funding for higher education

• Higher education funding in Texas comes from a combination of state appropriations, tuition and fees, and other sources such as research grants and endowments
• The state legislature sets formula funding rates for public institutions based on enrollment and other factors, with additional funding provided through special item appropriations and other targeted programs
• Tuition and fees have risen significantly in recent years, as institutions have sought to offset declining state support and maintain educational quality
• The state has implemented various financial aid programs to help improve affordability and access, including the TEXAS Grant program for low-income students and the Texas B-On-Time Loan program for students who graduate on time

Education policy challenges

• Texas faces a range of education policy challenges related to demographic shifts, achievement gaps, and resource constraints
• Policymakers and educators are grappling with how to ensure educational equity and quality in the face of these challenges

Demographic shifts and enrollment growth

• Texas has experienced significant population growth and demographic shifts in recent decades, with a growing Hispanic population and an increasing number of English language learners
• Enrollment in Texas public schools has grown rapidly, with the state adding nearly 1 million students since 2000 and projecting continued growth in the coming years
• These demographic shifts have placed pressure on schools and districts to adapt their programs and services to meet the needs of a diverse student population

Achievement gaps and equity issues

• Texas has significant achievement gaps between student groups, with African American, Hispanic, and low-income students lagging behind their white and more affluent peers on measures such as standardized test scores and college readiness
• The state has implemented various initiatives to address these gaps, including targeted funding programs, expanded pre-K access, and college and career readiness standards
• However, equity concerns persist, with critics arguing that the state's school finance system and accountability policies may exacerbate disparities between districts and student groups

Teacher recruitment and retention

• Texas faces challenges in recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers, particularly in high-need subject areas and geographic regions
• The state has implemented various initiatives to address these challenges, including alternative certification programs, loan forgiveness for teachers in high-need areas, and efforts to improve teacher pay and working conditions
• However, teacher turnover remains a significant issue, with the state losing roughly 10% of its teachers each year and facing shortages in key areas such as bilingual education and special education

Recent education policy developments

• Texas has seen a range of education policy developments in recent years, including major school finance reforms, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing litigation over the adequacy and equity of the state's education system

House Bill 3 (2019) reforms

• In 2019, the Texas legislature passed House Bill 3, a comprehensive school finance reform package that included increased funding for public education, teacher pay raises, and property tax relief
• The bill provided an additional $6.5 billion in funding for public education, including increases to the basic allotment per student and targeted funding for programs such as early education and college and career readiness
• The bill also included provisions to reduce recapture payments for property-wealthy districts and to compress local property tax rates, providing relief for taxpayers while maintaining funding for schools

COVID-19 impacts on schools

• The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Texas schools, with widespread closures and a shift to remote learning in the spring of 2020
• The state provided guidance and resources to support districts in the transition to remote learning, including funding for device and connectivity needs and waivers of certain regulations and requirements
• As schools began to reopen in the 2020-21 school year, the state implemented various health and safety protocols, including mask requirements, social distancing guidelines, and options for continued remote learning
• The pandemic also highlighted disparities in access to technology and educational resources, with concerns about the impact on student learning and achievement gaps

Future of school finance litigation

• Texas has a long history of school finance litigation, with multiple lawsuits challenging the adequacy and equity of the state's education funding system
• In 2016, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that while the state's school finance system was flawed, it met the minimum constitutional requirements for adequacy and efficiency
• However, the court also noted that the system was in need of reform and urged the legislature to address issues of equity and sustainability
• As the state continues to grapple with issues of educational equity and funding, there is the potential for future litigation and ongoing debates over the structure and funding of the public education system