The way Texas pays for community schools could soon change because of a bill that would tie state money to how well students do in school. The effort has a lot of backing from both parties in both chambers, as well as from the state’s 50 community college districts and a number of business groups who are all for it. The bill to change the way the government works went through the House without any problems Wednesday morning. It will now go to the Senate.
“This represents a major pivot,” said Jarrad Toussant, the Dallas Regional Chambers’ senior vice president for education and workforce. “It “shifts our [funding] system … to what is the new direction of our economy and the needs of our employers.”
People who support the change say it would be a first for Texas. The bill was one of House Speaker Dade Phelan’s main goals for this sitting of Congress. The bill passed the House with only one vote against it, from Rep. Bryan Slaton.
Here’s what you should know as the House bill, which had nearly 90 co-authors as of Tuesday afternoon, heads to the Senate. The way Texas pays for community schools could soon change because of a bill that would tie state money to how well students do in school.
The effort has a lot of backing from both parties in both chambers, as well as from the state’s 50 community college districts and a number of business groups who are all for it. The bill to change the way the government works went through the House without any problems Wednesday morning. It will now go to the Senate.
People who support the change say it would be a first for Texas. The bill was one of House Speaker Dade Phelan’s main goals for this sitting of Congress. The bill passed the House with only one vote against it, from Rep. Bryan Slaton. Here’s what you should know as the House bill, which had nearly 90 co-authors as of Tuesday afternoon, heads to the Senate.
How Does Texas Pay For Community Schools Right Now?
In Texas, community schools are paid for by a mix of local property taxes, student tuition and fees, and grants.
Many people say that the state hasn’t kept up with how quickly these organizations’ needs change, so it gives less than 25%. Before the money is given to colleges based on enrollment, lawmakers decide how much money the state will spend.
Under the proposed changes, schools’ funding would depend on how many degrees and certificates they give out, how many students transfer to a four-year university, and how many students finish at least 15 hours of courses that count toward academic and workforce program requirements.
Texas Would Have To Pay How Much?
Harrison Keller, Texas’ commissioner of higher education, estimated that the changes would force lawmakers to give about $650 million more to community colleges every two years. Texas recent news here about School Voucher Bill Hearing Draws Hundreds To Texas House.
Such money would let the schools invest in more wraparound services to remove barriers to education and innovative programs, like those in nursing, education, artificial intelligence, or cybersecurity, which are often expensive to set up, said Dallas College Chancellor Justin H. Lonon. Collin College President Neil Matkin said in a statement that this would help schools “meet the growing workforce needs across the state.”
What Would The Bill Do Besides That?
If the bill is passed, low-income high school students would be able to take dual-credit classes for free through a new program called Financial Aid for Swift Transfer. Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, who introduced a similar bill in the House, said that the overhaul could help “bring students back to community college” by making it more affordable. In recent years, enrollment in community colleges has dropped sharply.
VanDeaver said, “We have to get all Texans back into classrooms and training programs for the workforce so they can get the skills they need to be successful.” VanDeaver said that the bill would help with labor shortages by making it easier for colleges and private employers to work together to give students paid chances to learn on the job.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
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