Measuring the Impact of Historic Texas Education Cuts
Since well before the 2011 legislative session began, one question has dominated conversations about the state budget cuts to public education: How will they affect public schools?
There are many answers.
In March, the Texas Education Agency will release the official numbers on school district employment for the 2011-12 school year, including job losses. The figures will be a reckoning in some ways — the first time the state will actually measure the effect of a historic reduction in financing. But several groups, including nonprofit organizations and professional associations, and at least one lawmaker, would like to have a better idea ...
Comments (10)
gypsy314 ne
I think it is time for vouchers for our kids. let make the schools compete so our kids win.
Remember a vote for a democrat is a vote for Obama and homosexuals , illegal aliens and terrorist.
Jeff Cunningham
Well, I am a Republican but it sure didn't take long for the nutjobs to post on here. Now for a break from illegal aliens and stuff. The Reagan era cuts took effect in around 1981/1982. We didn't see the full effect of the cuts for about 20 years after that. You are looking at a marathon here, not a sprint. And, as seen by the other comment here, you are dealing with a legislature that has no idea of what effect they have on the future, nor do they care. They just want to get re-elected. And get rid of illegals, homo's and Obama.
Martha Dunkelberger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The measurements may be beginning now, but we won't know the true cost of these cuts for many years down the road. Plenty of time for the cowards who put them in place to be out of office.
Richard S. Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Probably more telling will be the change salary expenditures, by group (Teachers, Administrators, etc.) by school. The "job #'s will be all over the board!
Christina Vaughn via Texas Tribune on Facebook
At my sons school they dnt even hv a crossing guard! He is in kindergarten! His teacher told me budget cuts r so bad they even hv 2 keep the ac 2 degrees higher in the summer & 2 degrees lower in the winter! I've been thinking about homeschooling him bc the teachers hv become so bitter....
Francisco Canales via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The main problem on this issue is, that we are force to educate over 900 thousands illegal aliens, the cost to educate each student is $12,000 Dollars do the math $1080 millions per year. we the Tax payers are fed up with Washington and the State law makers that fail to stand for the American people. We elected them to represent us not the Mexican or any other illegal immigrants.
Peggy Saint-Michel
Dallas ISD is discussing consolidating schools due to the budget cuts which will be felt much more deeply for many school districts in the 2012-13 school year. Consolidating schools translates to crowding more students in classes, gyms and cafeterias. It means fewer teachers therefore almost hidden lay offs which won't seem as dramatic because of the way it will be handled when teachers' schools simply don't exist any more. Many districts which were very healthy such as Birdville ISD were able to postpone layoffs for one year while they used their reserves. Now the true picture will emerge because that cushion is gone and the layoffs will most likely come next year. Measuring the 2011-12 year won't give a clear picture of the true devastation the cuts to education have brought to our children and our future.
gypsy314 ne
We need school vouchers and then our kids will have a true chance. The schools and the boards have all failed our children I think it is time to make schools and teacher compete so our children can have the best. Face it the federal government has screw us all and the unions protect the bad teachers and mean while tax payers footing the bill.
Obama and all Democrats must go.
Remember a vote for a democrat is a vote for Obama and homosexuals, illegal aliens and terrorist.
Alice Taylor
The article ended with this quote, "Moak cautioned against overstating the effect of less money in public education.
“It’d be incorrect to characterize it as a huge impact, except in the concept of what does it mean for the future,” he said. "
I had to re-read that three times and it's still boggles my mind. The way I read this is that having less money won't effect the education establishment today, just how well educated our kids will be. It's a quote that would do George Orwell proud.
I also think it's telling that the lone Republican representative who is looking in to the impact of the budget cuts he voted on doesn't want to release his findings. If he had found that there was no impact (as Gov. Perry keeps insisting is the case) then I'm sure he'd be passing out press releases to anyone who passes by and looks crossed-eyed at him.
From what I see as a teacher, the cuts are deep, they're dramatic and next year they will be far worse. Many school districts in my area cut jobs and programs less than they should have because the lege delayed releasing the true budget so late in the year (July 2011) and then back-loaded the cuts so that 2012-13 will take the brunt of the cuts. It's bad this year, but next year it's going to be worse, and the compounded cuts will mean that every kid in Texas will have a poorer, less effective education because of Gov. Perry's incompetence when he created the "biggest hot check in history" back in 2008.
Jose Gomez
The politicos in Austin, specially Mr. Perry and his friends again are closing ranks to impose their selfish Educational Agenda. If Rep Dan Huberty- R-Houston was sincere wanting to find out if this cuts to our Educational system were in fact NOT DETRIMENTAL to our children, he would publish his findings in every newspaper throughout the state. He and the rest of buddies do not want to make this surevey known because it reveals that the Republican party is bullying our young children.
It is time that all these bullies are Fired. Let the citizens of Texas voice our demands to these cronies and make sure they hear us loud and clear. The Texas Educational System is not a program that can run effieciently with "Do more with less" attitude. The Texas economy is in "Great shape" according to our State Comptroller, the "Rainy fund" is now reaching 8 billion, sales tax is generating more revenue than anticipated, if this is so, "Why not provide more schools and textbooks" which are so badly needed. THE GOVERNOR, NOR THE LEGISLATURE HAVE AN EXCUSE.