ISSUE
Normally, state aid to school districts is tied to student attendance. Because of the pandemic, the Texas Education Agency maintained funding based on last year’s student attendance–but only for the fall semester of 2020. We need to push to keep our schools funded, especially as they’re struggling to address challenges like inadequate access to online education, remote learning, and teacher overtime. Teachers, parents, and our students cannot afford to wait on adequate funding from the state, or their ability to teach and learn in the time of COVID will be hindered even more.
FOR MORE
- The Texas Tribune: Texas schools are wary of losing funding gains lawmakers provided in 2019
- RAISE Your Hand Texas: There’s Enough Money to Fully Fund Public Education
TAKE ACTION–CALL!
Hi, I’m a constituent of {Governor Abbot / Commissioner Morath}. Along with many advocacy groups, I urge you to ensure that school districts’ funding is not cut due to lower student attendance caused by the COVID pandemic. The TEA should make it a priority to extend the attendance-based “hold harmless” through this school year. School districts rely on this level state aid to provide students an adequate education, especially those facing online access and other COVID-related problems.
{If you’re a parent, teacher, or student, share your experiences here.}
{If you’re an employer who relies on our public education system to produce a qualified workforce, tell your story here.}
We Texans need to do the right thing for our children and the future of our state. Thank you. My zip code is _____.
[…] funded, especially in response to last week’s freeze. This call to action is an update of a previous action to extend the “hold harmless” period past February to keep schools funde… regardless of drops in attendance due to COVID. Now that the freeze made in-person attendance […]