EDLD+5342+-+Finance

__**Week One**__

Assignment Part One After reviewing the history of Texas school finance, it is easy to see that there have been many events and laws that have shaped school finance as we know it today. I believe the three events that impacted school finance the most are Texas declaring their independence from Mexico who had not established a system of education, making school attendance mandatory, and the Gilmer-Aiken Laws. Texas education was established in 1845 in the Texas Constitution that was written after Texas become its own republic. The constitution called for one-tenth of the state tax to become dedicated to education and is the basis for school funding. Without this event taking place, public education may not have started. After the civil war, in 1869, the new Texas Constitution called for mandatory school attendance for all children between the ages 8-14 and started voters having the right to vote on school taxes. Making school attendance the law, eliminates excuses that parents or children may have to not go to school, and therefore makes education truly available to all. The Gilmer-Aiken Laws in 1949 impacted state funding for schools and how they operate in regards to increasing teacher salaries, a formal school year, and established the State Board of Education and election requirements for the commissioner. All of these are important facets to public education in Texas today.

I agree with these signifcant periods in history. Without the events that you noted here, we would not have the system of school finance in Texas as we know it today. -Andrea

Assignment Part Two Three issues impacting the state formula are property taxes, average daily attendance (ADA), and special program allotments. Although these are not the only things impacting the state formula, I believe they are the most critical. Property taxes are not equal throughout the state because property values vary from district to district. This inequality has led to much controversy and is the basis for the Chapter 41 wealth sharing that is another issue impacting district budgets. ADA is also an issue because districts have different populations depending on where they are located. Therefore schools with fewer students get fewer dollars. Finally, the number of students that qualify for special instructional programs vary from district to district creating an issue of districts getting more money than others because they have more students that qualify for these special programs. These formula elements determine how much money a district gets to spend per student. They are issues though because of the inequalities they can create from district to district.

Assignment Part Three

**__Equality: __** Every student has the same access to the same type of basic educational program. Examples: 1) All districts have to fund reading, math and other basic academic programs as determined by the TEKS, 2) All districts must provide instruction the same number of days so that students across the state have access to an equal amount of instruction each school year. **__Equity: __** The education system is fair and responds to the needs of individuals. Examples: 1) Compensatory funds provide for the needs of economically disadvantaged students, 2) Special education funds provide for the students with disabilities, 3) Bilingual funds provide for the needs of English Language Learners.  **__Adequacy: __** The school district receives financial support sufficient to meet state accreditation standards. Examples: 1) Equalizing teacher salaries when they are too low, 2) Providing adequate funding when the costs of textbooks increase.

In reflecting on what these terms mean and looking at examples of each has helped me to understand the complexity of trying to have a state formula that can reduce the differences in each district in order to have an equal, equitable and adequate funding for education for all students in Texas.

Assignment Part Four

In reflection, I do not believe that Austin ISD’s plan addresses specific goals or how they will be funded. I believe the budget amounts on the Appendices are arbitrary. Without specific goals being laid out with personnel and budget allocations needed, the goals more than likely will not be met and either they will not use all their budget effectively or they will go over their budget allotments. I believe Sheldon ISD plans, while not perfect, at least lists the goals and the personnel and budget amounts it will take to achieve those goals which will ultimately lead to district improvement.

Denise, I agree with you on Austin's plan (or lack thereof). The specific goals are missing to really give the plan any accountability. Your district's plan is set up similar to mine, which makes it much more user-friendly. Laurie