Myth Busters
Myth – Funding for public education in Texas has seen phenomenal growth during the past decade.
Reality – Although the State has provided nominal increases for foundation funding over the past decade, the increases have been more than offset by inflation, enrollment growth, and mandated property tax relief.
State Funding Changes 2003 to Present
Biennium
–2003-05 : $110 per WADA
–2005-07: $2,500 teacher pay raise Implemented target revenue system
Mandated 33.33% property tax rate reduction–2007-09: $23.63 per WADA pay raises–2009-11: $120 per WADA (Funded with Federal Stimulus Funds)
required 50% be spent on pay raises
–2011-13 : Reduced foundation funding by $4 billion statewide and cut special grants and programs by $1.4 billion
Total PreK-12 Funding in Texas(Local, State, and Federal)
2002-03 2011-12*Increase
$ %Total Revenue $ 29.6 B $ 44.2 B $14.6 B 49.4%Adjusted for Enrollment $ 29.6 B $ 37.7 B $ 8.0 B 27.2%Adjusted for Enrollment and Inflation $ 29.6 B $ 27.4 B ($ 2.2B) (7.5%)Inflation Adjusted Amount Per Pupil $ 6,957
$ 6,436
($ 522)
(7.5%)
Sources: Legislative Budget Board (LBB) , Texas Education Agency
* 2011-12 revenue and inflation projected by LBB
Total PreK-12 Funding in Texas2003 vs. 2012
$29.6
$44.2
$29.6
$44.2
$0.0
$5.0
$10.0
$15.0
$20.0
$25.0
$30.0
$35.0
$40.0
$45.0
$50.0
2002-03 2011-12 2002-03 2011-12
Enrollment Growth $6.6
Inflation $10.3
Adjusted Balance $27.4
7.5% decrease
Unadjusted Adjusted
($ in Billions)
Inflation Adjusted Amount Per Pupil $ 6,957
$ 6,436 ($ 522 ) (7.5%)
State Share of PreK-12 Funding in Texas
2002-03 2011-12*Increase
$ %Total State Aid $ 11.0 B $ 18.9 B $ 7.9 B 72.5%Property Tax Relief N/A ($ 7.1 B) ($ 7.1 B) N/A Balance for Education $ 11.0 B $ 11.8 B $ 0.8 B 7.7%Adjusted for Enrollment $ 11.0 B $ 10.1 B ($ 0.9 B) (8.3%)Adjusted for Enrollment and Inflation $ 11.0 B $ 7.3 B ($ 3.7B) (33.3%)Inflation Adjusted Amount Per Pupil
$ 2,577
$ 1,719
($ 858)
(33.3%)Sources: Legislative Budget Board (LBB), Texas Education Agency * 2011-12 revenue and inflation projected by LBB
State Share of PreK-12 Funding in Texas2003 vs. 2012
$11.0
$18.9
$11.0
$18.9
$0.0$2.0$4.0$6.0$8.0
$10.0$12.0$14.0$16.0$18.0$20.0
2002-03 2011-12 2002-03 2011-12
Enrollment Growth $1.8
Inflation $2.7
Tax Swap $7.1
Adjusted Balance $7.3
33.3% decrease
Unadjusted Adjusted($ in Billions)
Inflation Adjusted Amount Per Pupil
$ 2,577
$ 1,719 ($ 858) (33.3%)
Myth Busters
Myth – Funding for public education in Texas has seen phenomenal growth during the past decade.
Reality – More Dollars ≠ More Funding
All funding increases, for the past decade, have been offset by inflation, enrollment growth, and changes in the tax structure.
