1. History of Public Education in
Texas

2. History of Public Education in Texas
Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836 lists
failure of Mexican government to establish
system of public schools, despite nearly limitless
resources.

3. History of Public Education in Texas
• Lack of school system listed as one reason
Texas decides to break ties with Mexico.

4. History of Public Education in Texas
• First public school law in Texas enacted in
1840.
• Provided for surveying and setting aside four
leagues (17,712 acres) of land in each county
to support public schools.

5. History of Public Education in Texas
• 1845 – Texas Constitution of 1845 provided
that one‐tenth of the annual state tax revenue
be set aside as a perpetual fund to support
free public schools.

6. History of Public Education in Texas
• 1854 – New law creates Texas Permanent
School Fund with $2 million appropriation.

7. History of Public Education in Texas
• State constitution of 1876 sets aside 45 million
acres of public domain for school support and
directs that income from the Permanent
School Fund be invested in bonds.

8. History of Public Education in Texas
• 1884 – School law rewritten again to re‐create
office of state superintendent, affirm the state
ad valorem tax, and mandate that the
Permanent School Fund invest in county and
other bonds to increase income.

9. History of Public Education in Texas
• Additional laws gradually granted cities and
towns more freedom in the development and
administration of their schools, resulting in
the formation of independent school districts.

10. History of Public Education in Texas
• System of accreditation was created in 1885
when high schools sent selected test papers
for examination by the faculty of the
University of Texas.

11. History of Public Education in Texas
• If found satisfactory, the high school was
considered to be affiliated with UT, and the
school’s graduates were admitted without
examination.

12. History of Public Education in Texas
• 1911 – A rural high school law established
county boards of education. Also permitted
was creation of rural high schools and the
consolidation of common school districts.

13. History of Public Education in Texas
• 1917 – New law authorizes state purchase of
textbooks. Expansion of rural aid to schools
helps improve the education provided to
children on the state's farms and ranches.

14. History of Public Education in Texas
• 1949 – Gilmer‐Aikin laws establish present‐
day structure of Texas’ public education
system.

15. History of Public Education in Texas
• Also created an elected State Board of
Education that appointed a commissioner of
education, and reorganized the administration
of state public school policy through the Texas
Education Agency.

16. History of Public Education in Texas
• Foundation School Program created to
apportion state funds to local school districts.

17. History of Public Education in Texas
• Want more information?
• www.tea.state.tx.us