The Texas Legislature meets in Austin from January through May of each odd-numbered year.
A collaborative initiative of urban, suburban, and rural school districts, the business community, and other organizations across Texas.
Tyler ISD encourages our legislators to make significant investments in public education.
Texas school districts, like businesses and families, are struggling with the impact of historic inflation since 2020.
Texas public schools are committed to improving student outcomes, but the buying power of the basic allotment has decreased by $1,340 since 2020.
In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed sweeping school finance reform in HB 3 almost unanimously. Since HB 3 took effect, constant dollar funding for public school districts has decreased by $9.86 billion.
The Comptroller is estimating a massive increase in state revenue over the next two years compared to the past two. There is enough money to fully fund public education!
Public schools build the future workforce that powers the supercharged Texas economy. There is no better return on investment for the future of Texas!
Public schools educate more than 90% of students in Texas. Those students deserve full funding for their schools before any discussion of diverting taxpayer money for non-public school subsidies.
School Choice
School choice already exists in Texas.
State law requires districts to allow students at low-performing public schools to transfer. Public school districts operate magnet schools, career and technical education campuses, virtual schools, and credit-recovery programs, among other programs. Public charter schools provide another form of existing choice. Legislators who want to expand choice should do so within the state’s system of transparent, accountable public schools.
Non-public School Subsidies
Important Facts:
Non-public schools are not publicly accountable for performance or finance.
Non-public school subsidies remove needed dollars from public schools.
Public schools already offer widespread choice to parents.
Only Public Schools Provide the Choice, Transparency, and Accountability That Texas Families Deserve
Ways to Improve ESA and Non-public School Subsidies
Non-public schools taking taxpayer dollars should comply with the following requirements that the state puts on public schools:
Meet state safety standards
Undergo mandatory trainings for staff & Board
Follow Open Meetings Act & Public Information Act
Special education evaluations and services
Funding based on attendance
Teacher certification standards
Adopt a local grievance policy
A-F and FIRST financial ratings
Administer STAAR to gauge performance
School Cost Inflation 2019 vs 2022
Schools, just like our households and businesses, are seeing increased costs for fuel, energy, food, and supplies.
Schools no longer have the same buying power as they did in 2019 when the $6,160 basic allotment was set. Average inflation since August 2019 has increased by 17% according to the Consumer Price Index. That means in order to have the same buying power as they did after HB 3 was passed, the basic allotment would need to be over $7,100.
Public schools need every dollar.
Texas public schools are struggling to recover from the pandemic, which resulted in the need for additional funding to combat learning loss and provide wrap-around services. Schools are also grappling with unprecedented staffing shortages.
Student Safety
A-F Rating System
Recruiting & Retention
