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Students still have learning gaps four years after the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of teachers entering the classroom without rigorous training is increasing. Administrators say they’re struggling to pay for security upgrades after the Uvalde massacre. And now, Texas is at the center of debates over whether public funds should be used for private schooling.
These are just a few of the major issues at play in Texas schools as the 2024 election approaches.
Where are decisions about education made?
Decisions about your neighborhood public school are largely made by the locally elected board of trustees.
School board elections are typically held in May. These are the folks who pass the district’s budget, hire (or fire) the superintendent and decide on school policies – such as whether kids can have cellphones on campus or how library books are chosen.
Important decisions are made at the state and federal level, too. That is where voters will have a chance to select their representatives in the Nov. 5 general election.
Members of the Texas Senate, House of Representatives and State Board of Education decide how local public schools are funded and what students are required to learn to graduate.
In Washington, federal agencies control things such as the enforcement of students’ civil rights and how schools spend federal dollars.
Local property tax revenue makes up the bulk of Texas public schools’ funding followed by state money. Generally, Texas schools get less than 10% of their money from federal sources, not including major one-time grants such as pandemic aid.
Who are the key elected officials impacting policy?
State lawmakers significantly drive education policy. They are likely to weigh in during the 2025 legislative session on the idea of using public money to help families pay private school tuition through a voucherlike system supported by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Abbott plays a major role in shaping decisions. He’s not up for reelection this year. However, he has backed several Republican candidates for House seats whose views align with his on school choice.
State Board of Education members are more directly involved in what Texas students learn. They give their approval to textbooks and new classes, such as ethnic studies courses. They also approve or deny proposed charter schools.
Their elections are staggered, so some areas of the state will vote on board members this fall, including parts of North Texas.
What decisions have been made recently that have had an impact on education?
Public school funding: The way Texas public schools are funded is based on complicated formulas. The foundational building block is called the “basic allotment.” It’s the amount of money schools receive for each child who attends. Since 2019, the basic allotment has remained stagnant at $6,160. School leaders are frustrated that the funding hasn’t kept up with inflation. Efforts during the last legislative session to boost this allotment failed when they were caught up in the fight over school choice.
School safety: Texas lawmakers’ response to the state’s deadliest school shooting on May 24, 2022 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, was a mandate for armed personnel on every public school campus. This person can be a school resource officer or a staff member trained to carry a gun. To pay for this requirement, along with other security upgrades, schools get $10 per student. Each campus also gets a $15,000 allotment. District leaders say this isn’t nearly enough money to cover the true cost of safety needs.
Textbooks: The State Board of Education reviews lesson plans and textbooks based on Texas standards. Currently, board members are in the midst of considering state-crafted learning materials that include religious stories. State officials believe this would help students more deeply understand literary references and historical events. But critics are concerned about the growing influence of Christianity in public schools.
DEI bans: The Legislature prohibited public colleges and universities from having DEI offices and holding diversity, equity and inclusion activities and programs. The bill’s author, Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, sent a letter to university leaders in the spring, informing them that changing names of programs but still pursuing the same DEI work would not be considered compliance with the law. Schools risk millions in state funding if they break the mandate.
What issues are likely to be at the center of this election?
Many of the key issues related to education in Texas were left unresolved in the last session and subsequent special sessions. These topics will likely be the center of debate when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
Voters got a preview of the tensions during recent hearings held by the House Public Education committee that focused largely on education savings accounts and the infusion of Christianity into textbooks.
Education savings accounts: ESAs would allow families to access public funding to pay for private schools. The idea was blocked last year by a coalition of House Democrats and rural Republicans who were concerned the policy would funnel money out of the schools that serve the vast majority of Texas children. They noted private campuses aren’t held to the same accountability standards and don’t have to serve students with disabilities. But Abbott and others say the voucherlike measure gives families the choice over how their children are educated and a way out of schools that fail their kids.
Free speech on college campuses: Protests over the war in Gaza roiled campuses last spring, with dozens of students arrested. The demonstrations prompted Abbott to issue an executive order requiring all public colleges and universities in the state to lay out punishments for antisemitic rhetoric and enforce their policies. Some student groups say the order violates their right to free speech.
Teacher quality: Lawmakers have been repeatedly presented with data from state education officials showing how many Texas teachers are entering the classroom with little training. Roughly 1 in 3 new teachers hired across Texas were uncertified, meaning the state has no way to know if they received rigorous training. That’s up from 12% in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The state’s teacher vacancy task force put together an array of recommendations for how lawmakers could tackle recruitment and retention problems. Ideas include raising teacher pay and training educators like doctors in a “residency” model.
What North Texas races should I be paying attention to?
Your state House and Senate races are significant when it comes to education. Whoever wins the presidency will have influence over student loan forgiveness, civil rights enforcement and other federal issues.
A few Texas House races are of particular note as Abbott supported candidates who were running against incumbents who opposed his school choice agenda.
District 58: Republican Helen Kirwin vs. Libertarian Richard Windmann
District 62: Republican Shelley Luther vs. Democrat Tiffany Drake
State Board of Education, District 12: Republican Pam Little vs. Democrat George King
State Board of Education, District 11: Republican Brandon Hall vs. Democrat Rayna Glasser vs. Green Party Hunter Crow
Check which district you live in here.
Where can I learn more?
Check out our Voter Guide, available Sept. 30, to learn more about the candidates running.
You can also read more about key education issues at dallasnews.com/education.
The Dallas Morning News will continue to write about the fight over education savings accounts, including a detailed explainer about what exactly this policy would entail and the arguments for and against it.
We’ll also keep up with public school districts who are cutting back amid strained budgets.
The News recently reported on the ramifications of a law passed last session that required students who are caught vaping be sent to disciplinary alternative schools. Even the bill’s sponsor had questions about how it’s been implemented. We’ll see if lawmakers make any tweaks – or take other actions related to campus discipline.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
