This document summarizes information from a presentation on school finance in Texas. It shows that there are huge disparities in property wealth between the richest and poorest school districts. In 2014, children in wealthier districts were considered to have more value than others. A judge ruled the current system inequitable, inadequate and unsuitable. Proposed bills like HB 3671 aimed to provide more adequate and equitable resources, but the issue remains unfinished. The document advocates for comprehensive school finance reform to ensure educational opportunity for all children in Texas.

1. School
Finance
LATINO SUMMIT 2015
David Hinojosa,
National Policy Director
Director of the South Central Collaborative
david.hinojosa@idra.org
Intercultural Development Research Association
October 10, 2015
@DavidGHinojosa
@IDRAedu
#AllMeansAll

2. HUGE DIFFERENCES IN PROPERTY WEALTH
AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS (2012)
1
GAP
$1,010,403
Poorest
$76,068
$128,987
$158,993
$188,880$213,756
$252,513
$300,220
$378,486
$508,175
Wealthiest
$1,086,471
GAP Poorest Decile 2nd 10% of Districts 3rd 10% of Districts 4th 10% of Districts 5th 10% of Districts
6th 10% of Districts 7th 10% of Districts 8th 10% of Districts 9th 10% of Districts Wealthiest Decile

3. IN TEXAS, CHILDREN IN WEALTHIEST
DISTRICTS ARE CONSIDERED MORE VALUABLE
THAN OTHERS (2014)

4.  Judge Dietz: “Inequitable, Inadequate, and
Unsuitable” and loss of Local Control over Taxes
 Hundreds of Findings on Inadequacy and Inequity
 “Rather than attempt to solve the problem, the State
has buried its head in the sand.”
 Equity: “These disparities can be seen in various
regions throughout Texas and have much more to do
with what is above and below the ground than with
educational need.
 Adequacy/Suitability: Instead of increasing
resources for programs targeting at-risk students,
the State eliminated funding for such programs.
TEXAS SCHOOL FINANCE CASE-
UNFINISHED BUSINESS?

5. Increased Inequities
Eliminated Cost of
Education Index
Failed to Address
the Compensatory
and ELL weights
Only $226/WADA
average increase
HB 1759- THE TROJAN HORSE
5000
5200
5400
5600
5800
6000
6200
6400
6600
6800
Current Year FY 2016 Current Law FY 2017
+273
+481
+267
+…
LBB Model 68771- "Wealth Groupings"
(Equity Gap)
Under $100K/WADA Above $504K/WADA

6. HB 3671 (WALLE/GONZALEZ)- THE
SOLUTION
Opportunity
and GDK
Provides Adequate
Resources
Increases Weights
Increases Basic Allotment
Studies Cost of GDK
More Efficient and Equitable
Closes revenue/tax gaps
Eliminates Platinum Pennies
Reduces Target Revenue
Studies Equity Local Meaningful Discretion
Raises Copper Yield
Updates CEI
Reduces Recapture
All of the Above

7. Senate Bill 1 (2015)
$1.5 billion
Homestead exemption (-$3.8B)
Texas Supreme Court Argument
Special Session?
Regular Session
HB 3671- Comprehensive & Fair
WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE MS. CANALES,
HER CHILDREN AND MILLIONS OF
OTHERS?

8. Intercultural Development Research
Association
210-444-1710 • contact@idra.org
www.idra.org
Assuring educational opportunity for every child
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