Important+Events+in+Texas+Education

The model of public education in Texas has been shaped by many events in the state's history. With the lack of establishing and funding a public school system listed as one of the complaints against the Mexican government when Texas declared its independence, the importance of a public education system was established. Three of the most important events are the establishment of free public schools in the Constitution of 1845, the Constitution of 1873 which established the named the Permanent and Available School Funds, and Gilmer-Aiken Laws that established a organized approach to state supplementing local taxes in an attempt to adequately fund education.
 * Important Events in Texas Education**

Texas joined the United States in 1845. The new constitution provided for the establishment of free public schools and called for state taxes to support education. This event is important for the the future of education in the state. From this point forward, Texas would have a free public education system ( EDLD 5342, Lecture Notes, Week 1, page 1).
 * The Constitution of 1845**

The Texas Constitution of 1876 changed nearly everly law in the state related to education. It established by name the Permanent and Available School Funds. It has provided the basis for all of the school finance lawsuits that dealt with adequacy, equity, and efficiency that would occur in the state for years to come ( EDLD 5342, Lecture Notes, Week 1, page 2).
 * The Constitution of 1876**

State Representative Claude Gilmer and Senator A.M. Aiken, Jr. led the commite that was established to make education in Texas run more efficiently. The legislation that was passed, known as the Gilmer-Aiken Laws changed how schools operated and how they were funded. The laws increased techer salaries, fomalized the school year, created the structure of the State Board of Education, and established the Commisioner of Education was selected. The law also established an organized approach to how the state supplemented local taxes in order to adequately fund public education ( EDLD 5342, Lecture Notes, Week 1, page 3).
 * The Gilmer-Aiken Laws**

There are many other important events in public education in Texas. Many of the events would occur as a result of lawsuits that are based on the fundamentals of these important events.

Top three historical events in Texas school finance:  In 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico. The commitment of the State to provide free public education to all children and the development of school funding started to take place. In 1845, Texas officially became a state. The State Constitution established free public education for all children with state taxes supporting the funding for education. In 1949, the Gilmer-Aiken Laws established how State and Local taxes would fund public education. Because of this, teacher’s salaries increased, the school year was formalized, the State Board of Education was established and a selection of the Commissioner of Education was made. All three historical events are significant because they helped develop or change how free public education is funded in our State.


 * Carlos**