The title is borrowed from Rep. Bill Keffer. (Thanks.) Let's rethink how we disperse the funds.
It's time the Legislature defined the state’s role in funding public education so precious taxpayer resources can be devoted to the absolutely essential activities of teaching and learning.
The Texas Constitution is clear: “A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.”
Well then, how does the Legislature fulfill its constitutional obligations in this critical matter that has ramifications for the entire system of public education? Conservatives believe the Texas Legislature has generously supported public education:
- $7.1 billion new dollars since 1999.
- Real, per pupil spending has tripled in Texas since 1970 – a tripling even after accounting for inflation and enrollment growth.
- In the 2004-2005 state budget passed last year, legislators dedicated 58.4% of all general revenue dollars to Texas public and higher education.
We believe that the current system of public education funding is not efficient. This shortcoming is not due to the amount of money the Legislature devotes to public education but to the fact that those funds are not tied directly to the critical functions of teaching and learning in the classroom that help us achieve a "general diffusion of knowledge."
The best way to illustrate this point is the current number of teachers is nearly equivalent to the number of non-teaching personnel in our public schools. According to the Texas Education Agency, there are nearly 290,000 teachers in Texas whereas there are almost 230,000 non-teaching employees. The ratio of teachers to non-teachers has declined from 1991-92 to 2003-04. Even with an enrollment growth of nearly 80,000 students per year, the number of support personnel auxiliary staff and campus administrators grew faster than the number of teachers over that time frame. A further illustration of this point is that despite the enormous increase in public education spending since 1990 teacher pay ranks 33rd in the nation. Lastly, the Comptroller and the Texas Education Agency maintain only 52 cents of every dollar spent on public education goes to the classroom. Given this data, we have concluded that the enormous growth of non-teaching personnel prevents the state from efficiently achieving a "general diffusion of knowledge."
The importance of this unsound and unmanageable approach cannot be understated. If classroom instruction is the critical component of public education, then the Legislature must ensure that teaching and learning is the first and foremost priority for state funding and expenditures. All of the other activities carried on outside the classroom should be left to districts to finance.
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We believe the fundamental basis of any school finance plan should clearly define and fund the essential elements of public education: pay and benefits for teachers, teacher’s aides, and principals; learning materials and tools; transportation, and facilities. There are many advantages of this approach:
1. Emphasizes additional funding for instruction. Yes, more money for public education – we just want it to stay in the classroom. The bulk of those dollars would come from reallocating state resources to its highest and most productive use: instruction.
2. Emphasizes learning over bureaucracy. Administrators have an important role to play in the management of the system but they are not specifically involved with classroom teaching and learning. If the state funds only the essential elements of teaching and learning, it sends a very powerful message to local districts about the priority the state places on instruction.
3. Emphasizes support for teachers. Learning does not take place without the involvement of an instructor. State support should be with them, and teachers deserve higher pay.
4. Emphasizes support for principals. Principals are team leaders, largely responsible for creating the positive culture of learning which is so essential to instruction: setting high expectations for students and teachers, offering encouragement to all but never neglecting discipline when necessary, and putting academics and intellectual skills above athletics and extracurricular activities.
5. Emphasizes the importance of the classroom and learning tools. Under this approach the Legislature would appropriate funds for every classroom on every campus in the state.
6. Emphasizes the importance of students. This plan puts achievement first. Programs for special needs and other students would continue to be funded.
This focus, and the funds devoted to supporting it, will propel Texas into the top ranks nationally in term of educational achievement.
Educators and students are being shortchanged because critical resources are diverted from teaching and learning. In short, why not devote all state educational resources to teaching and learning? Texas school children, no matter where they live or what their background is, should get the best education possible, and the Legislature should live up to the letter and spirit of the Texas Constitution.
The S T A R Plan
Specified Funding
Tax Fairness
Administrative Freedom
Reward Excellence
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