This is the first in a trilogy of policy briefs discussing public education and taxes. This brief discusses the challenge facing Texas in funding public education. It also explains why the Texas Supreme Court's recent decision in "West Orange-Cove II" requires increased state appropriations for public education.

Tests an interest-group model of public spending by using variations in spending levels across states and counties. Results provide support for this model, in that education spending increases as the number of parents in the electorate increases. An analysis of Texas counties shows that areas with relatively large elderly populations spend less on…

Texas has had its Robin Hood school financing system in place since 1993, when the legislature adopted the system in response to a state supreme court order to equalize state spending on public schools. Under the arrangement, any district that has taxable property values exceeding $305,000 per student is not allowed to keep all of its property-tax…

This article discusses the inspiring achievements of Zavala and Ortega Elementary Schools. These two schools are examples of "smart money," public dollars that are invested and generate a high societal return, measurable in real, quantifiable results for workers, businesses and society. The author explores ways in improving school…

Contains the full text of the Texas case finding that the current method of funding public education in that State violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. (JF)

The paper examined: (1) the relationship between research into municipal services equalization and current explanations of internal colonialism, and (2) some aspects of the dynamic of racial exclusion and inequality in San Antonio, Texas. Data were obtained from research reviews, census figures, and city, county, and State sources. Characteristics…

This study sought to quantify economic impacts associated with Texas state expenditures on higher education by (1) quantifying the reduction in Texas' economic activity associated with reduced spending by the private sector due to taxes levied for higher education; and (2) quantifying the increase in Texas' economic activity associated with the…

This study examines spending on children and youth in Texas by constructing a comprehensive children's budget for 1978 spending. The study attempts to include not only data on spending through State government sources, but also other public sources of funds, charitable spending, and indirect Federal subsidies through tax exclusions. Total spending…

This document provides summary statistics for public community and technical colleges in Texas. It is divided into two sections. Section 1 contains comparative financial data for all public community and technical college districts and systems, including tax base, collections and total assessed tax rates; total education and general fund…

This report updates developments relating to public school finance legislation in Texas during a special summer legislative session in 1984. Discussion focuses on House Bill 72, which increased teachers salaries, distributed state aid more equitably, increased equalization aid, mandated new programs, and increased state taxes. (TE)

An overview is provided of trends and issues in the financial support of Texas's community colleges. Part I provides introductory comments on the functions, enrollments, and costs of the state's public community college system. Part II reviews nationwide trends in the state and local support of two-year colleges, effects of declining revenues,…

This document contains six papers. The first paper discusses the creation and operation of the Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Conference, a six-college consortium designed to promote competitions, festivals, and other forms of academic and recreational interaction for the students of the member institutions. The second paper reports the results of a…

Actual financial data from audit reports on county education districts (CEDs) are presented as required by the Texas Education Code. In summary, it is noted that the CEDs generally fulfilled their obligations relative to collection and distributions of taxes; and that administrative expenditures were not excessive and the amount of delinquent…

Issues in public school finance are discussed in this research monograph, with an emphasis on Texas. Chapter 1 provides a national historical overview, examining the changing definition of equality. The second chapter examines equity challenges in the courts, specifically, two major types of constitutional issues: (1) equal protection clauses of…

This paper describes funding formulas for the new Foundation School Program in Texas enacted under the Education Opportunity Act (H.B. 72), raises issues that have accompanied its first year of implementation, and provides preliminary data to compare prior and existing law. The state finance system, which previously distributed state aid according…