Texas House Bill HB311

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to public education and public school finance matters.

Impact

If enacted, HB 311 would revise the funding guidelines for special instructional arrangements for students with disabilities residing both in care facilities and state schools. The proposed bill would increase the funding weight from 4.0 to 5.0 for students receiving educational services on a local school district campus, thereby improving financial support for their educational needs. The intended outcome is to enhance the quality and accessibility of education for these vulnerable populations, addressing the unique challenges they face.

Summary

House Bill 311 pertains to matters concerning public education and the funding framework for public school finance. The bill proposes an amendment to Section 42.151(b) of the Texas Education Code, specifically addressing instructional arrangements for students with disabilities. It establishes different funding weights for these arrangements based on the type of educational setting, aiming to ensure adequate financial support for students requiring special education services.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 311 underscore the importance of addressing the educational needs of students with disabilities. Though generally supportive of the increased funding, there may be debates regarding the implications for budget allocations within local school districts and the broader impact on school finance. Critics might raise concerns about whether sufficient resources are available to meet the demands of this change and how it will affect other areas of funding within the educational sector.