Analyzing contrasts in Two Texas School Districts

Week 3, Assignment 3
Analyzing Contrasts in Two Texas School Districts

The goal of the state funding system is to provide equity, equality and accessibility for students. In simple terms, the system is to provide funding at a level that allows students from various backgrounds to experiences success. The current system is developed in theory to take into consideration the type of students that attend a school district and provide an adequate amount of funding to meet their needs. A number of funding formulas have been used in the past and challenged which is why we are now using the current system. As one can see from the example, the current system is still flawed. The weighted Average Daily Attendance is one of the primary sources of funding that a school district receives from the State of Texas. Because of the unique needs of each district that were presents in this scenario one sees a difference in the WADA. The WADA in District 1 was $5,044 and the WADA in district 2 is over $2,000 higher than district 1. This does not equate to an equitable education.

Both districts have a similar number of enrolled students. However, that is where the similarities end. District 1 has a student population with a greater need based in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students coupled with the fact that the percentage of English Language Learners in district 1 is almost six times higher. One would assume that the state would funnel more funds to District 1 in order to meet the needs of these students. However, under current funding formulas that is not what is happening. District 1 is 100% Hispanic and has a higher percentage of students in Special Education, Career and Technology and in Gifted and Talented Education. District 2 has only 20.7% of its students considered as economically disadvantaged. District 1 is a Title 1 district, while District 2 may have targeted Title 1 programs on its campuses without having a school wide program. These are very different student populations.

Since these two student populations are so vastly different the state has attempted to bridge this gap through Tier 1 funding. When one looks at these program intent code allotments differences in funding can be seen. See the chart below for a side by side comparison:

Program	District 1 Allotment	District 2 Allotment
Special Education	$1,905,486	$1,620,234
CTE	$1,666,064	$913,212
Gifted and Talented Education	$126,272	$128,756
Compensatory Education	$3,835,006	$633,369
Bilingual Education	$834,084	$46,192