Texas Senate Bill SB1186

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the permissible wealth per student of certain school districts.

Impact

The passage of SB1186 could lead to adjustments in school funding allocations throughout the state. By implementing a metric for wealth reduction based on district ratings, the bill aims to ensure that districts with high performance ratings do not suffer financially due to high wealth per student figures. This approach could incentivize districts to improve their FAST ratings while still promoting equitable funding across all school districts in Texas.

Summary

SB1186 addresses the permissible wealth per student for certain school districts in Texas. It stipulates that if a school district achieves a Financial Allocation Study for Texas (FAST) rating of at least four stars, and its wealth per student exceeds the established equalized wealth level, the commissioner of education will recognize a reduced wealth per student for that district. This reduction is calculated as five percent of the difference between the district's actual wealth per student and the equalized wealth level.

Contention

While the bill seeks to address wealth distribution in education funding, potential points of contention may arise. Critics could argue that the bill may unintentionally create disparities between districts that achieve high FAST ratings and those that do not, potentially leading to a funding gap. Additionally, the criteria for what constitutes a high-performing district might be challenged, especially by districts concerned about the impacts of such classifications on their funding and operational capabilities.