How much money is spent on public education in Texas now?
State and local sources of funding add up to approximately $16.5 billion per year for 4.3 million students. According to the National Education Association, Texas ranks 40th out of 50 states for per-pupil spending (we spend about $7,000 per student). Worse, last year Texas was the only state to decrease per pupil spending.

How much of the money spent on education comes from the state?
The state’s share of education spending has dropped by a lot over the last 20 years. In 1985, the state paid over half of the cost of education. Today, it is barely over a third. The following chart illustrates the point:

This has lead to a dramatic rise in local property taxes and to the unconstitutionality of the school finance system based on capped property taxes. Districts have no more meaningful discretion to set their own tax rates. Because of the state’s meager contribution, districts must tax the full amount under the law just to survive. The state must do better.

See other questions and answers about the ruling and related issues

• General Information about the West Orange-Cove Ruling
• Equity in school funding
• Facilities funding
• Efficiency of funding and spending
• School performance and standards