Governor Abbott announced a 30-day special session beginning October 9 to provide non-public school subsidies. Public schools are underfunded by billions, and any available funding should be prioritized for teacher raises and to help schools pay the bills.
Special Session
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.
According to the Brookings Institute, a decade of studies on non-public school subsidies shows they actually hurt student achievement. Public tax dollars should be used to advance a public good, like improving student achievement. Read the study
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
IT’S FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO GIVE BILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS TO SCHOOLS THAT LACK ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE
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.
MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!
MAYDAY! Press Conference
School Leaders Sound Mayday Alert to Support Additional Funding to Pay Teachers
Supporters of public schools are encouraged to take 15 seconds to send an email to their individual state lawmakers seeking more funding for public education.
Student Safety
A-F Rating System
Recruiting & Retention
