Texas officials claim that public school funding is at an all-time high, but critics argue that the figures ignore inflation and temporary federal relief funds.
Breaking Down the $15,000 Per-Student Funding Claim
Governor Greg Abbott and Republican lawmakers say that Texas schools receive over $15,000 per student, suggesting that public education is well-funded. However, an analysis shows that this number includes:
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Temporary federal COVID-19 relief funds, which have mostly expired.
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State contributions to retirement systems and administrative costs, which districts cannot spend directly.
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No inflation adjustments, meaning real per-student funding has actually declined.
The base funding per student—the money districts receive directly for education—has remained at $6,160 since 2019, despite rising costs.
Has Texas Increased Education Funding?
While Texas has allocated more funds in recent years, much of the money is:
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Earmarked for specific programs like school safety and teacher incentives.
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Tied to tax cuts, reducing local revenue for schools.
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Not flexible, limiting how districts can address their unique needs.
The Reality for Texas Schools
Due to stagnant base funding, many districts are struggling to cover expenses. Schools have been forced to:
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Adopt budget deficits to keep operations running.
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Cut staff and programs due to financial constraints.
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Increase class sizes and close schools to manage costs.
Education advocates argue that increasing the base funding would allow districts to use money where it’s needed most, rather than relying on state-mandated programs with restrictions.
What’s Next for Texas School Funding?
Lawmakers are debating:
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A proposed $220 increase in base funding, though it lacks inflation adjustments.
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Additional funds for teacher salaries and special education to address funding gaps.
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More school safety funding to help districts meet security requirements.
Despite increased spending, Texas still ranks 38th in per-student funding nationwide. School officials say real investment is needed to ensure quality education for all students.