Coalition to Invest in Texas Schools Photo of a girl at the chalkboard
February 14, 2005

Coalition Update
Prior to the start of the 79th legislative session, all Coalition to Invest in Texas Schools members recommitted to the core principles of the organization for the upcoming legislative session. The Coalition is an historic partnership comprised of organizations that represent EVERY school district in the state of Texas. The Coalition is committed to ensuring that increased education funding is the top priority of all Texas lawmakers.

The Coalition has been working to develop recommendations regarding the fundamental needs of Texas schools. Stay tuned to www.investintexasschools.org for more developments.

During the 79th legislative session, the Coalition to Invest in Texas Schools looks forward to working with Texas lawmakers to arrive at a solution for public school finance that provides for increased funding to meet the growing demands and expectations of Texas’ public schools.

For more updates on the Coalition’s activities, click here or visit www.investintexasschools.org.

79th Legislative Session
On Thursday, February 3, 2005, Representative Kent Grusendorf, Chairman of House Public Education Committee, filed a school finance bill, House Bill 2—“A Roadmap to Results.”

The Coalition is encouraged by the filing of a school finance bill so early in session and the identification of school funding as a priority by the Governor through his declaration of this issue as an emergency. We look forward to continued dialogue with state leaders.

Stay tuned for more Capitol updates.

TASA Mid-Winter Conference
The Texas Association of School Administrators has wrapped up its 2005 Mid-Winter Conference (January 31-February 2). The conference touched on a variety of issues affecting Texas school administrators, including

  • The state of public education and policy issues in Texas
  • The latest interpretations and expectations regarding No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and the state’s accountability system
  • How to raise the bar and close the gap in student performance
  • How to improve your schools by understanding the generational characteristics of students and staff
  • How to lead in the midst of constant change

During the third general session, Governor Rick Perry addressed the attendees and laid out his vision for the future of the Texas public education system. We applaud Governor Perry for his leadership in making public school finances an emergency item this legislative session and for insisting that public schools rise up and meet the challenges that face our state. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst on the final day of the conference. He laid out his proposal “Texas Children First” and welcomed input from schools to further develop school finance ideas. We are encouraged by the efforts of Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst and the Senate to move the conversation forward on addressing the problems of public school finance. We look forward to working with him and Senate members on the finer points of the plan.

We look forward to working with all state leaders to develop a workable, efficient and equitable school finance system for Texas public schools and every Texas child today and tomorrow.

Improving Equity and Ensuring Adequacy in Texas Public Schools
Adequacy and equity are two issues central to the Coalition’s priorities regarding the financing of Texas public schools. Click here for more information on the Coalition’s core principles

Latest News
To view the latest media stories from across the state regarding school finance reform, click here.

Spotlight
Our first spotlight of 2005 features Tamra Walthall, Trustee of La Vega ISD. Click here to read more.

Stay Informed
The Coalition to Invest in Texas Schools will provide regular updates on topics relevant to the school finance issue. We strongly encourage you to pass this newsletter along to others who may be interested in these issues. To subscribe, click here, type in your email address and click submit.

Thank you for your support!

Coalition to Invest in Texas Schools
The Coalition to Invest in Texas Schools includes school board members, school superintendents, and other school leaders, parents and business leaders who support increased school funding. As we have seen throughout Texas, when schools are better funded, student performance goes up. For more information, please visit our Web site.

“If socioeconomic differentials between demographic groups were to be reduced through increased education and other means, Texas’ population growth could be a source of increased private and public sector resource growth.”

--Dr. Steve Murdock, Texas State Demographer

“It’s the right thing to do. As Texans, we can and must do better for our future, for our children.”

–Comment by Judge Dietz, 250th District Court, September 15, 2004

“Districts face many large, uncontrollable costs that are not adequately addressed in the State’s existing financing formulas.”

--Fact of Finding, West Orange-Cove CISD vs. Shirley Neely, Texas Commissioner of Education, October 2004

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This is legislative advertising contracted for by James Crow, Executive Director, Texas Association of School Boards, 7703 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78752, representing TASB.