Americans agree that a child's future should not depend on his or her heritage, parents' income or neighborhood.

Our sense of justice insists that America be the land of opportunity where all citizens are considered equal, that wherever a student comes from or lives he or she should have the opportunity to succeed.

All children must have access to quality education. But how we carry this out has led to an ongoing debate. There are still people who have difficulty accepting that access should be relatively equal for all children. Currently, Texas has a two-tiered, unjust public school system that provides poor or mediocre education for most children and excellent education for a select few.

Until the recent backwards steps, many schools were beginning to reap the benefits from the state’s earlier commitment to equalize education funding for all of its children. Student achievement improved, taxpayers were more equally sharing the cost of paying for public schools, and businesses were seeing the results of better-prepared graduates.

After a 12-year span of more equitable school funding, changes were made that weakened the system, privileging a few children to the detriment of many. This was followed by huge unnecessary funding cuts that are crippling our schools.

But we can have a strong public school system that provides an excellent education for all children. We can and we must.

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Fair Funding is Essential to Having Excellent Schools for All Texas Students
In a statement released today, Dr. Robledo Montecel, IDRA President, applauds MALDEF for filing its lawsuit against Texas on behalf of four poor school districts. “It is unfortunate – scandalous in fact – that it takes litigation to convince our state leaders to invest in education, to invest in children – all children, to invest in the future of Texas.” IDRA has focused on this issue since its founding almost four decades ago. We will not stop until Texas truly has a strong public school system that provides an excellent education for all children. 

See Univision San Antonio story: Demandan a Texas por desigualdad educative (with Dr. Albert Cortez)

Fair Funding Now! for Texas Education
In 2011, the Texas legislature cut education funding for the first time in four decades. Instead of ending 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. Get tools, handouts, news and more resources at IDRA’s Courageous Connections – Fair Funding Now! website.

The Status of School Finance Equity in Texas – A 2009 Update
Texas was headed in the right direction until the last two legislative sessions when revisions made to the school funding plan eroded equity among Texas schools. This update summarizes where things are and identifies changes that are needed. Free online. Available for purchase. See related news release. 

More Resources from Across the Country
Around the country cuts to core educational programs have already been made since 2008. Even deeper cuts are on the way unless we can make clear that education is a staple, not a frill. This issue of IDRA’s Grad4All considers what cuts like these mean for students, families and schools; highlights how people are speaking out and urges everyone to promote education as a priority. (Also available in Spanish.)

Perspectives on Funding Changes Adopted in 2009
See our online flip-book, School Finance Reform in Texas – IDRA Perspectives on Funding Changes Adopted by the 2009 Texas Legislature.

Podcast Interview on the Implications of Inequitable School Funding
In this IDRA Classnotes Podcast episode, Encarnación Garza, Jr., assistant professor at UTSA, shares his perspective of inequitable school funding as an issue of social justice through the eyes of a former school principal and superintendent.

Equity Center Radio Highlights Funding Needs for Education of ELLs
Listen to this two-part interview with Dr. Albert Cortez, IDRA director of policy, on Equity Center Radio. Dr. Cortez is interviewed by Ray Freeman, deputy executive director for the Equity Center, about funding for the education of English language learners. Part 1 Part 2