Proposed Legislation
Summary
Purpose: to create a pilot program to allow a limited number of low income-qualified parents in certain urban school districts the right to use their tax dollars to send their child to the public or private school they feel best serves the interests, abilities, and needs of their child.
Description: Proposed legislation would allow certain funds to remain with the public school district from which the child transfers, thereby increasing per-pupil spending levels in that public school district. Proposed legislation would allow for increased competition for the benefit of parents and students in the K-12 public education system in the expectation that such competition will inspire educational improvements and reductions in urban public school drop-out rates. Proposd legislation would also provides a mechanism for evaluation of the effects and accountability of this pilot program.
Which school districts will be affected by the bill?
The urban school parental choice pilot program would apply to only nine of Texas' nearly 1,200 school districts located in the state's five largest cities, and it would allow a student to go to the public or eligible private school of their choice.
- Dallas ISD
- Ft. Worth ISD
- Austin ISD
- Houston ISD
- North Forest ISD
- San Antonio ISD
- South San Antonio ISD
- Harlandale ISD
- Edgewood ISD
How many students can participate?
The annual number of new student enrollments in the program, in each of the first three program years, shall be limited to five percent of the number of students in the eligible district in the preceding school year.
Which students qualify to participate?
Students who are economically disadvantaged (defined as a family whose household income does not exceed 200% of the income guidelines for the Federal Reduced Price Lunch program).
What is the scholarship amount for students who participate?
Public Schools: Public schools count the student in their Average Daily Attendance.
Private Schools: The lesser of 90% of the eligible district's total operating expense per student for the preceding year, OR the receiving school's actual annual average cost per student.
Any additional funds a district receives for a student (such as for special education, ESL, etc) follow the student and are not subject ot the cap. Facilities funding is excluded.
How do schools admit students?
Schools may enforce their individual written admissions policy, however all applicable Federal and State nondiscrimination laws apply. If there are more student applicants than available seats, schools must use a lottery method for random enrollment.
How does the program ensure accountability?
Rules will be developed, administered, and enforced by the Comptroller. Every year, participating private schools must administer either the prescribed state test (TAKS) or a nationally normed test approved by the commissioner (such as Stanford10, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, etc).
How do private schools who participate maintain autonomy?
Beyond compliance with Federal and State nondiscrimination laws, the state may not regulate a participating school's admissions or other policies or their educational program.
How would school choice impact a school district financially?
Per pupil spending will actually increase when a student chooses to transfer. Ten percent of the district's total operating expense per student remains with the district when a student chooses to transfer. Facilities funding remain with public schools and are not affected by the bill.