Legislature, Hochberg, Bond Programs, Politics

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Public Education information and articles can be found at: www.texasisd.com

More articles and information can be found at: www.texastribune.org

The Legislature – Best and/or Worst

Currently the House and Senate have displayed a complete lack of unity to address and move Public Education funding to a full vote.  With the current tax structure needing a complete overhaul so that a sustainable system can fund the most important component of the State Budget, a standstill in the Legislature, during the Regular Session, is great for those who want change.  This stalemate provides time to educate, inform, and possibly develop better legislation to fund public schools.  A stall could mean that public education will be funded under the current system and school districts would have money until February 2013. A “no decision” on school funding could mean that everyone could focus their energy, time and resources on a failed funding system during a Special Session.

But, a lack of action, in the Regular Session, is the worst for school districts trying desperately to equip classrooms, keep teachers, and develop budgets.   Board Members and School Superintendents cannot plan with uncertainty in revenue.  District and campus Administrators cannot prepare for the safety and education of students.  Schools cannot operate without money!

Hochberg - Distribution of Funds

Since the distribution of Public Education Funds is not applied fairly or equitably, all school districts remain hesitant to form an opinion on any plan until they analyzed the system that will distribute the funds.  Under Rep. Hochberg’s newest plan, the “winners” lose the smallest of percentages in revenue while the “losers” have their revenue reduced by 10%.  Hochberg claims that this updated system of distributing funds will ease the pain for many districts.  His statement is strictly dependent on which side of the fence the district stands!  Districts that lose 3% or less should feel good about their funding.  Districts that lose 8% or greater should demand a more equitable reduction in revenue.  Districts that lose 4% - 7% should do everything they can to make certain they do not lose more.  And so, school districts really are divided on their perspective of the distribution of public education funds.  Remember, battles are usually won if your opponent can be divided!

Local Citizens Spend on Local Education

About 70% of May 2011 Bond Elections passed!  This rate of success on referendums is the highest since 2008.  Many experts, who predict the outcome of elections, must be surprised since their forecast of failure was based on the conservative movement of the 2010 elections.  Texas Legislators might want to spend some time talking with citizens who vote.

The Fight for Public Education

Public educators are generally civil people who possess a positive attitude and a “can-do” mentality.  Educators accept and move-on no matter the situation.  Educators are not politicians.  They serve in communities and schools to prepare students for a better future.  So, fighting for public education in this political environment is unknown, unfamiliar and strange. 

The Effects of Public Education Cuts

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Public Education information and articles can be found at: www.texasisd.com

More articles and information can be found at: www.texastribune.org

The Effects of Public Education Cuts

As the Senate tries to pass a State Budget, school districts continue to develop plans for the unknown.  The House has stripped $10 Billion from Public Education.  The Senate appears serious about a reduction of $4 Billion from Public Education.  What will be the effects of large cuts to Public Education? A common statement by some taxpayers, and even some Legislators, is “If the school district can cut 20 or 100 or 400 employees and still operate then they must have had too many employees.”  This statement seems to suggest that some people believe the operation of schools will not change and the product of Public Education will not be different when the State Budget drastically reduces public education funds.

The cuts to Public Education will directly effect:

Academics – Student-to-Teacher ratios will increase above the level prior to 1984 when the State instituted the famous 22-1 Law.  While that Law will remain in effect for the future, saving elementary teacher jobs, the bulk of teacher layoffs will occur in Middle Schools, Junior High Schools, and High Schools.  Classrooms with 25 students will balloon to 30 or even as high 35 students next year.  Teachers will grade 24% to 40% more papers.  Attention to individual students will decrease.  Individual plans for student learning will be substituted with “one size fits all” teaching.  The effect will be a “class” education where only the strongest few survive.  And there will not be enough skilled students to sustain the Texas workforce.

Pre-Kindergarten – No longer will 4 year old children access full day education.  Parents will be required to find baby sitters, day care, or work part time so that their children are not left at home alone.  As this group of students move through the educational system, there be a further separation of the “haves’” and” have not’s”.  And the “have not’s” will be the majority!  School ratings will drop, school dropouts will increase, and college prepared students will decline.

Safety – Due to less money, campus assistant principals, directors, and facilitators will be released, school police forces will be reduced, and school resource officers will return to their local police departments.  The priority of schools, safety of the students, will be jeopardized and compromised.  Because educating students is a priority, every school district will choose between the lesser of two evils – cut a teacher who directs learning or cut the person who keeps kids safe. 

Transportation – As school districts look to the service side of their operations, school buses will carry more students to and from school in fewer buses.  Bus routes will be condensed adding time to the route causing students to get up earlier and get home later.  Extra-curricular activities will send student athletes and participants to events on one bus.  Teachers, after spending a full day in the classroom, will be forced to drive buses. 

Extra-Curricular Activities – The number and amount of coaches, sponsors, and directors will decrease while the number of student participants will continue to rise.  The research and evidence indicates that now more students, than ever before, are involved in sports, the arts, clubs, and after school programs.  The success of these programs will diminish as participation increases but adult guidance decreases.

Who really believes there will not be an effect on Public Education?