Texas Almanac 2014–2015

Education

Texas Public Schools UIL Winning Schools, 2011–2012, 2012–2013 Higher Education in Texas Universities and Colleges The University of Texas of the Permian Basin opened in 1969. Photo by Robert Plocheck. Education Education Texas Almanac 2014–2015 596 Texas Public Schools Source: Texas Education Agency; www.tea.state.tx.us Enrollment in Texas public schools reached a peak of 4,978,120 students in 2011–2012, according to the Texas Education Agency. That is an increase of almost 44,503 students over the last year; enrollment was 4,933,617 in 2010–2011. The seven largest districts (listed in descending order by average daily attendance) are: School District County Enrollment Houston Harris 203, 354 Dallas Dallas 158,932 Cypress-Fairbanks Harris 110,013 Northside Bexar 100,159 Austin Travis 86,516 Fort Worth Tarrant 83,503 Fort Bend Fort Bend 69,591 In Texas, there are 1,028 independent and common school districts and 199 charter operators. Independent school districts are administered by an elected board of trustees and deal directly with the Texas Education Agency. Common districts are supervised by elected county school superintendents and county trustees. Charter schools are discussed later in this article. Brief History of Public Education Public education was one of the primary goals of the early settlers of Texas, who listed in the Texas Declaration of Independence the failure to provide education as one of their grievances against Mexico. As early as 1838, President Mirabeau B. Lamar’s message to the Republic of Texas Congress advocated setting aside public domain for public schools. His interest caused him to be called the “Father of Education in Texas.” In 1839, Congress designated three leagues of land to support public schools for each Texas county and 50 leagues for a state university. In 1840, each county was allocated one more league of land. The Republic, however, did not establish a public school system or a university. After Texas was admitted into the Union, the 1845 Texas State Constitution advocated public education, instructing the Legislature to designate at least 10 percent of the tax revenue for schools. Further delay occurred until Gov. Elisha M. Pease, on Jan. 31, 1854, signed the bill setting up the Texas public school system. The public school system was made possible by setting aside $2 million out of $10 million Texas received for relinquishing its claim to land north and west of its present boundaries in the Compromise of 1850 (see map on page 53). During 1854, legislation provided for state apportionment of funds based upon an annual census. Also, railroads receiving grants were required to survey alternate sections to be set aside for public-school financing . The first school census that year showed 65,463 students; state fund apportionment was 62 cents per student. When adopted in 1876, the present Texas Constitution provided: “All funds, lands, and other property heretofore set apart and appropriated for the support of public schools; all the alternate sections of land reserved by the state of grants heretofore made or that may hereTexas School Enrollment and Expenditures per Student School Year Enrollment Spending per student 2011–2012 4,978,120 unavailable 2010–2011 4,912,385 $11,142 2009–2010 4,824,778 $11,543 2008–2009 4,728,204 $11,567 2007–2008 4,651,516 $10,162 2006–2007 4,576,933 $ 9,629 2005–2006 4,505,572 $ 9,269 2004–2005 4,383,871 $ 8,916 2003–2004 4,311,502 $ 7,708 2002–2003 4,239,911 $ 7,088 2001–2002 4,146,653 $ 6,913 Graduates and Dropouts School Year Graduates *Dropouts 2011–2012 292,636 36,276 2010–2011 290,581 34,363 2009–2010 280,520 33,235 2008–2009 264,275 40,923 2007–2008 252,121 45,796 2006–2007 241,193 55,306 2005–2006 240,485 51,841 2004–2005 239,716 18,290 2003–2004 244,165 16,434 2002–2003 238,109 15,117 2001–2002 225,167 16,622 *Grades 7–12. Personnel and Salaries Year/ Personnel Type Personnel (Full-Time Equivalent) Average Base Salaries 2011–2012 Personnel Teachers 324,213 $48,375 Campus Administrators 18,657 $70,578 Central Administrators 6,502 $89,798 Professional Support* 58,709 $56,189 Total Professionals 408,081 $51,174 Certified Interpreters 309 $28,677 Educational Aides 58,048 $18,603 Auxiliary Staff 172,779 $22,652 Total Staff 639,217 $47,839 2010–2011 Personnel Teachers 334,876 $48,638 Campus Administrators 18...