Issues+Impacting+a+State+Formula

There are several issues that impact the funding of public schools in Texas that is distributed to schools through formulas.
 * Issues Impacting State Funding Formulas**

School district funds are comprised of a basic allotment of funds that are calculated using adjustments based on the characteristics of a particular district. The Basic Allotment is the basic amount received per student. The basic allotment is distributed per Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Schools count students in attendance each day and average attendance over the the year. Basic allotment funds are adjusted based on certain characteristics of the district. Adjustments may be made according to the Cost of Education Index, Small District Adjustment, Mid-size District Adjustment, Sparsity Adjustment, Sparsity Adjustment, Property Value Decline, and ADA Decline. These adjustments are designed to allow for the differences in cost to provide education in schools districts with different characteristics.

Adjustments are then made to funding for Special Instructional Programs. These adjustments are made based on Weighted Average Daily Attendance (WADA). WADA provides for additional funding for students with additional educational needs. Students with addtional needs are weighted for funding purposes in recognition of the addition educate these students. Weighted programs include special education, bilingual education, vocational education, gifted and talented, and compensatory education. Different special programs are assigned a different weighted adjustment based on costs of educating students in each special category.

School districts also receive allotments for specific purposes. Special allotments given are: High School Allotment, Career and Technology Allotment, Military Child Allotment, Virtual School Network Allotment, New Instructional Facility Allotment, Transportation Allotment, Technology Allotment, and Optional Homestead Exemtion Allotment.

The state legislatures attempts at an equitable funding system for public schools has placed school districts in adverserial positions. Qualifying districts as either 41 or 42 type schools with the "Robin Hood" funding system now currently in place, has caused districts to lobby for their own interests and not provided a united voice to express our concern to the legislature. Lee

Three issues that impact state funding. The three issues that impact state funding are average daily attendance (ADA), property taxes and special program allotments. There are other factors that impact the state formula but these three are important. Every school monitors student attendance carefully. Unfortunately there are some areas in the state that struggle with attendance. It is up to the district to implement strategies that will improve daily attendance. Property taxes and the collection of those taxes are important. We know that property taxes vary from school district to school district and some districts have an advantage over other school districts. This is one reason why the Robin Hood Act was set by the state. The number students in special programs directly affect the amount of funding the district receives from the state. It is very important that all school districts pay close attention to those programs. Controversy still exists throughout the state. Some school districts receive more money per student than others and it is important that all school districts monitor this closely. Knowing how much money each district receives per student is important in the process of setting a districts budget. Paying close attention to ADA, property taxes and special program allotments will help maintain the amount of funding your school district receives.

Carlos

While the intent of the formula is to level the playing field for students across Texas, the reality is that it has fallen short of the intent. The formula is based on property values, tax collection rates, along with average daily attendance and weighted average daily attendance. What we see happening is that property poor districts usually have lower socio-economic populations who usually have lower attendance rates and higher numbers of at risk students.

Debbie