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Issues and Advocacy

Resource Center

School Finance

Information on Texas and school finance is available both on the TASB Web Site and on the other sites below.

TASB Reports

• Texas School District Spending, 2002-03  (pdf, 346 KB)
• A Cost Analysis for Texas Public Schools: January 2004  (pdf, 1 MB); February 2006  (pdf, 448 KB)
• The Texas Education Dollar: Where Does It Go? January 2004  (pdf, 448 KB); February 2006  (pdf, 335 KB) 
• Report on School District Mandates  (pdf, 255 KB)

2006 Supreme Court Ruling on School Finance

• Commissioner's comment  (pdf)
• Brief summary of ruling  (doc)
• Summary of ruling  (doc), TASB

65% Rule

The 65-percent rule was adopted in 2005.

• Librarians included in proposed 65 percent rule 
• New York Times op-ed: Here's an Idea: Put 65% of the Money into Classrooms  (registration required)
• Analysis of Sixty-Five Percent Rule in School Spending , Center for Public Policy Priorities
• Gov. Perry orders more money to classrooms, more taxpayer accountability 
• Education task force to help craft 65 percent rule 
• The 65% requirement questions and answers  (doc)

Grassroots School Finance Coalitions

The following grassroots groups are working to improve funding for Texas public schools:

• Coalition to Invest in Texas Schools 
• Center for Public Policy Priorities 

Other resources

• Texas Education Agency's School Finance 
• A board member's guide to talking to the neighbors  (doc), TASB 
• You can blame us if you want  (pdf), Texas PTA