Communities and schools must work together to strengthen their capacity so that schools work for all children. Courageous Connections highlights events, resources, initiatives and projects that show how communities and schools are able to spark and sustain changes.

In the spring of 2011, the Texas legislature cut education funding the first time in over four decades. And given the chance to end funding disparities, they walked away – pushing millions of Texas children aside.

But communities across the state are taking action to make sure that schools are equipped to guarantee that all children graduate ready for college and career.

Fair Funding Now! is an initiative of IDRA. We are holding a series of roundtables this fall in collaboration with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Mexican American School Board Members Association (MASBA) and Texas Center for Educational Policy (TCEP).

On this website, we will share resources and stories stemming from the initiative.


Interactive Online and Social Media Tools

Map of the total revenue loss for schools by Texas county (2011 to 2013)
Find out the level of school funding cuts across districts for every county in Texas.

Map of funding cuts to Texas school districts (2011 to 2013)
Find out the level of funding cuts for every school district in Texas.

 
How are funding cuts affecting your school?

Your stories (reports) and comments can be posted to the map in several ways:

• Web - on the web, visit: http://schoolfunding.crowdmap.com/
• Email - By sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Twitter - By sending a tweet with the hashtag #TXequity Phone App - By phone app: download Ushahidi Maps “app” on your smartphone, then look for Texas School Funding Map and post your story.

See funding information and compare school districts
Visit IDRA’s OurSchool portal. (Simple, free registration is required.)

Connect with others online

Twitter hashtag: #TXequity
Follow IDRA on Twitter: @IDRAedu

Connect with us on Facebook

Connect with us at LinkedIn


Resources to Learn More and Share in Your Community

Infographic: Equity Gap (printable pdf) (sharable web graphic, png)

Infographic: State Ranking in Education Funding (printable pdf)
(sharable web graphic, png)

Fund Texas Schools Now! PowerPoint presentation (pdf) (PowerPoint)

Key Points on School Funding Equity (English/Spanish)(pdf)

Snapshot of Texas Education (pdf)

Snapshot on Education in San Antonio (pdf)

Texas on the Brink How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States, February 2011

Ideas for Action, English (pdf)

Ideas for Action, Spanish (pdf)

IDRA OurSchool Portal flier, English/Spanish (pdf)

Sample Resolution (English/Spanish)(doc)

Fair Funding Now! flier English/Spanish(pdf)

Save Texas Schools Reginal Conference flier (pdf)

“Bragging Wrongs,” article in the Equity Center’s InDepth newsletter (pg 1)

“Should School Districts Go Back to Court?” article in the Equity Center’s InDepth newsletter (pg 4)

The Status of School Finance Equity in Texas – A 2009 Update

Principles for Fair Funding for the Common Good, IDRA

Lawmakers must equalize public school funding – Make sure the system accounts for past transgressions, article in the San Antonio Express-News by Al Kauffman, June 3, 2011

Lawmakers must equalize public school funding – Make sure the system accounts for past transgressions, article in the San Antonio Express-News by Al Kauffman, June 3, 2011

MALDEF News Release 12/13/11 (English/Spanish) (pdf)
MALDEF Info Sheet on Texas School Finance for Educators and Advocates (pdf)
MALDEF media packet 12/13/11 (pdf)