History+of+Texas+School+Finance

= = ==== After listening to the lecture and reviewing the History of Texas School Finance several events have impacted the way our state funds public education. Three top events occurred in 1873, 1949, and 1995. Major funding events seem to occur about every seventy years. It seems the next major change in school finance will happen within the next couple of years. The top events are: 1) 1873, the Reconstructionists were voted out of office and a new Texas Constitution was adopted in 1876, 2) 1949, passage of the Gilmer-Aiken Laws during the 51st Legislative Session, and 3) 1995, Senate Bill 1 approved by the Texas Supreme Court. ==== ==== The first event in 1873 ultimately lead to the adoption of a new Texas Constitution that changed almost all laws related to education. The Permanent and Available School Funds was established and the stipulation that 25% of general revenues would be dedicated to education greatly impacted school funding. This event gave the Legislature the duty to establish suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. This provision though not intended became the foundation for litigation involving public school dealing with adequacy, equity, and efficiency. ==== ==== The second event in 1949 was prompted by the need of new school facilities and additional school funding. The passage of the Gilmer-Aiken Laws affected how Texas funded school and operated schools. The school districts were reduced from 4500 to 2900, teacher salaries were increased, and the structure of the State Board of Education and selection of the Commissioner of Education were impacted. The major impact of Gilmer-Aiken was the establishment of local taxes supplementing school funding. ==== ==== The third event in 1995 was the approval of the final plan Senate Bill 1 by the Texas Supreme Court. This was a major attempt to implement an equitable system for funding school districts and the process became known as the “Robin Hood Plan” which established revenue recapture. School districts were identified as Chapter 41 and Chapter 42 school districts based on property wealth. In 1995 wealth would be distributed by having property rich districts distribute revenue to property poor districts. This legislation lead to a majority of districts by 2005 setting the tax rate cap of $1.50 for Maintenance and Operations which ultimately resulted in the courts decision that a de facto statewide property tax was established, which is unconstitutional. ==== Future court involvement is inevitable and the Texas Legislature will have the ultimate voice in the decisions regarding school funding. With all districts having difficulties in establishing adequate funding for programs, along with unfunded mandates, the issues involving school funding will continue to be scrutinized by educators and the general public.