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FEATURED NEWS

Texas schools facing lowest funding since 2020

State officials say Texas is investing an unprecedented amount in public and charter schools. But inflation-adjusted numbers in a recent Austin American-Statesman analysis show the value of funding per student has decreased in recent years.

The analysis found that on average, Texas public schools have received $10,387.03 in the 2023-24 school year for each of the 5.07 million students from state and local allocations — 1% more than the $10,290.19 per student last year and 5% more than the $9,897.55 in 2020, according to Texas Education Agency data. However, adjusted to 2024 dollars, per-student funding from state and local sources is down by 12.9% — $10,387.03 this year compared with $11,919.13 per student in 2020.

The state allocates at least $6,160 per student, an amount known as the basic allotment. On top of that baseline value, the state determines how much extra funding to allocate to districts for certain additional categories such as special or bilingual education or the district's size and technology requirements. Those allotments combined give districts a total average annual funding per student.

Apply for Fulbright Teacher Exchange program by Feb. 19

The Fulbright Teacher Exchange program provides an opportunity for K-12 educators to conduct research and engage in other professional learning experiences abroad for three to six months. Shorter trips between two and six weeks also are available. Selected participants work on individual research projects, take courses at a host university and collaborate with colleagues on educational practices to improve student learning. Applications for the 2024-25 Fulbright Teacher Exchanges are due Feb. 19.

Click here to learn more and apply.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Student inmate assaults teacher, appeals conviction

A literacy teacher in the Windham School District was conducting classes in a prison when she was assaulted by one of her students, who was an inmate. She alleged that soon after she started her class, she saw the inmate engaging in disruptive behavior and asked him to stop. Because he did not cease his conduct, she started writing a referral on him for violating a classroom rule.

When class was dismissed, the inmate grabbed the teacher's head by the hair, pulled her out of her chair and slammed her head against the classroom door. He then threatened to harm her and her family.

The inmate was convicted of retaliation and assault on a public servant and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The inmate appealed his conviction. Click here to read why the court of appeals upheld his conviction.

OTHER NEWS

Check out new resources to support special ed students

The Texas Education Agency recently published a new Universal Design for Learning Implementation Guide for Educators. Included in the guide is a UDL Classroom Implementation Rubric, which outlines the progression of UDL implementation and growth, as well as strategies and tips for educators to use as they build their capacity to implement UDL. 

The National Center on Educational Outcomes recently published a tool on Multi-tiered Systems of Support for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities. It includes a fact sheet that identifies strategies parents can use to help ensure their child benefits from MTSS, as well as a set of frequently asked questions that provide details about MTSS.

SBOE establishes new process to review instructional materials

The State Board of Education set the framework for a new process for adopting high-quality instructional materials for Texas students at its meeting last week.

Members adopted several items related to the implementation of House Bill 1605, including final approval on the suitability rubric for the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process under the bill. This rubric outlines the criteria to be used to determine the suitability and appropriateness of instructional materials for a particular subject and grade level.

During the meeting, the board approved IMRA rubrics in the following subjects: English and Language Arts for grades K-3 and 4-8; Spanish Language Arts for grades K-3 and 4-6; and math for grades K-12.

Last week's meeting agenda did not include discussion of statewide curriculum standards for an American Indian/Native Studies course as anticipated. Advocates are calling on the board to put it on the agenda for the next meeting in April. Click here to read more.

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• Feb. 10 is the start of the Lunar New Year.
• The TRS Board meets Feb. 15-16 in Austin.
• The State Board for Educator Certification meets Feb. 16 in Austin.
• TCTA's 2024 Annual Meeting is Feb. 16-17 in San Antonio.
• Presidents Day is Feb. 19.
• Early voting in the March 5 primaries starts Feb. 20 and ends March 1.