PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING

Texas Public Education Funding Issues

Abstract

The Americans face numerous issues in public education. The stark contrast between the funding received by public schools in different cities, in independent states has led to quality education becoming affordable for the wealthy only. While, there are schools out there that are in a state of deterioration. This has an adverse effect on the progress of the country. The inadequacy and inequity in public school funds results in a high drop-out rate from public schools.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Major Public Education Funding Issues in Texas2

Federal Issues3

School Desegregation3

Diversity3

School Vouchers3

State Issues4

Equity4

Adequacy4

Conclusion4

References6

Bibliography7

Texas Public Education Funding Issues

Introduction

For the purpose of benefitting public with quality education, the Texas Education Agency spends billions of dollars every year in the form of both state and federal funds, which are supporting a whole selection of educational plans. These funds are generated from different sources, including the state treasury, federal reserves, grants' provision organizations, and the Permanent School Fund endowment to list a few (www.tea.state.tx.us, 2011).

Discussion

The Americans face several issues in public education that could be better understood if we examine how the public schools are funded in the country. The severe disparity between the funding received by public schools across the country has led to public schools becoming a hub for the wealthy only. Whilst, there are schools out there that are in a state of deterioration with infrastructure so bad that the classrooms are overcrowded. For the reason, that the exacerbating conditions due to funding issues lead to ever increasing drop-out rates from public schools.

(www.pbs.org, 2011)

Education is imperative for building a bright future for any country, state, or city. The economic and financial well-being of Texas like any other state depends upon the education level of its workforce. For this reason, public school funding in the state of Texas is a highly serious matter. Some statistics portraying the educational position of Texas are:

The state of Texas is at number 36 for producing high school graduates.

The teachers' salaries in the state are far below from the national average. Consequentially, Texas is at number 33 in teacher salaries.

In the year 2005, Texas cut down on its expenditure for average per pupil educational funding. This results in the state being ranked at number 40 for average per pupil expenditures.

The student growth rate in the state of Texas is so high that it is ranked at number 6 in the United States. Between the school years ...