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Ext. PublicationInvesting in the Future: Massive School Finance Changes in Texas | Podcast
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The Business of Government
Texas passed the largest school finance bill in state history. In this episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, The Business of Government, host Adam Jones dives deeply into the details with school finance expert with Amanda Brownson, Ph.D., deputy executive director at TASBO, about intended goals, unintended consequences and how the bill may shape the future of public education.
Key Points:
- Texas delivered a substantial teacher compensation increase, but critics of the plan argue that the funding lacks flexibility, creating challenges as districts balance compensation with other funding needs.
- Texas public school enrollment is declining and competition for students is increasing: “market share” has become a major consideration to ensure the success of both public and private schools in Texas.
- Hidden behind the headlines, Texas made major reforms to special education funding, early literacy and numeracy and educator preparation.
Amanda notes that the legislature should be applauded for their commitment to major funding increases across the board. But the proscriptive delivery method for teacher salary increases will certainly create short-term labor market disruption as districts compete for a fixed pool of quality educators.
“We don’t need the legislature to make school districts give the teacher pay raise. They’re eager to enhance salaries to remain competitive for a limited supply of teachers,” said Amanda.
Competition for students is more intense. Texas has historically offered multiple choice options for students, including a robust charter school environment and an active inter-district transfer market; several school districts are also open-enrollment, meaning families are not locked into campus attendance zones. Texas has now passed an education savings account (ESA) program that will further competition with private schools. Amanda notes that as overall public school enrollment declines, the emphasis on student recruitment takes center stage for Texas districts. Amanda concludes the podcast with a discussion of national trends in school finance.
Listen to the full episode to explore these themes and gain a deeper understanding of these nuanced policy shifts.
Subscribe and listen to future episodes of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, The Business of Government, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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