Republican leaders have often countered criticism of Texas’ public education funding by saying school districts receive over $15,000 for each student. But the $15,000 does not fully reflect the dollars districts receive from the state, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. 🧵 - ThreadSky

texastribune.org • 38 days ago

Republican leaders have often countered criticism of Texas’ public education funding by saying school districts receive over $15,000 for each student.

But the $15,000 does not fully reflect the dollars districts receive from the state, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. 🧵

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mikwayne.bsky.social•38 days ago

I work for a school district that is simultaneously shuttering and laying off whole departments while also asking the citizens to vote to approve a $600 million bond package. Seems weird.

fortunaswheel.bsky.social•38 days ago

Thank you!
It’s unbelievable that they’re trying to pour money into the voucher scheme now.

texastribune.org•38 days ago

2/ When calculating the per-student funding based on the total Texas education budget, the result is $15,503 — an all-time high.

That number includes federal, state and local revenue sources. It also factors in federal pandemic relief funds that have largely expired.

texastribune.org•38 days ago

3/ But adjusted for inflation, overall per-student funding has actually declined in recent years, according to the Texas Education Agency’s own analysis.

texastribune.org•38 days ago

4/ The $15,503 figure also does not reflect how federal, state and local shares of school funding have changed over time.

Texas's contribution to per-student funding decreased between the ‘13-’14 and ‘22-’23 school years.. Since then, the state has picked up an increasing share.

texastribune.org•38 days ago

5/ When Texas school districts talk about their funding, they often mention the base amount they receive from state and local sources to educate each student — $6,160 — a number referred to as the basic allotment, which has not increased in six years.

texastribune.org•38 days ago

6/ Texas lawmakers have recently increased public education funding, but primarily through programs that require districts to use funds in specific ways.

For example, lawmakers in 2023 gave districts $15,000 per campus and $10 per student for safety upgrades.

texastribune.org•38 days ago

7/ School districts have advocated for raising the base amount because it offers them flexibility to address the unique needs of their campuses, as opposed to money they can only use for specific purposes.

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