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  • Fixing Texas school finance may mean big price tag

    February 5, 2013 5:26 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Before declaring Texas' public school finance system unconstitutional, state District Judge John Dietz offered a hypothetical. He said a vast majority of Texans want the state's students to have an education system challenging enough to prepare them for the high-tech jobs of tomorrow. But, he said, if... more »
  • Fixing Texas school finance may mean big price tag

    February 5, 2013 5:25 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Just before he declared Texas' public school finance system unconstitutional, District Judge John Dietz speculated it could take an extra $2,000 per student for the state to fix the problem. He also noted that that would cost Texas an additional $10 billion to $11 billion in every... more »
  • Judge: Texas school finance plan unconstitutional

    February 4, 2013 7:14 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The system Texas uses to fund public schools violates the state's constitution by not providing enough money to school districts and failing to distribute it fairly, a judge ruled Monday in a landmark decision that could force the Legislature to overhaul the way it pays for education.... more »
  • Judge: Texas school finance plan unconstitutional

    February 4, 2013 5:39 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The system Texas uses to fund public schools violates the state's constitution by not providing enough money to school districts and failing to distribute it fairly, a judge ruled Monday in a landmark decision that could force the Legislature to overhaul the way it pays for education.... more »
  • Ruling expected Monday in school finance case

    February 4, 2013 1:04 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Attorneys representing around 600 public school districts argued Monday that the way Texas funds its schools is "woefully inadequate and hopelessly broken," as a sweeping case featuring more than 12 weeks of testimony came to a close. State District Judge John Dietz said he would issue a... more »
  • Ruling expected Monday in school finance case

    February 4, 2013 10:10 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Attorneys challenging the way Texas pays for its public schools say the state "should be ashamed" of its public education system. Closing arguments began Monday in Austin in a consolidated six-lawsuit case contending the school finance system violates the Texas Constitution, which guarantees free and efficient public... more »
  • Ruling expected Monday in school finance case

    February 4, 2013 3:06 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A ruling is imminent after months of testimony in Texas' sweeping school finance trial. Closing arguments are set for Monday and state District Judge John Dietz plans to issue a verbal decision as soon as soon as he's heard them. The trial began Oct. 22 and involves... more »
  • Testimony concludes in Texas school finance trial

    January 30, 2013 7:10 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Months of testimony in the sweeping school finance trial concluded Wednesday, with a leading advocate arguing that courts should compel the Texas Legislature to ease a cap on the number of charter schools allowed to operate statewide while increasing the amount of funding such schools receive. David... more »
  • Testimony concludes in Texas school finance trial

    January 30, 2013 4:56 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Testimony in Texas' sweeping school finance trial has ended setting up a potentially landmark ruling next week by state District Judge John Dietz. David Dunn, executive director of the Texas Charter Schools Association, was the case's last witness Wednesday afternoon. Monday will feature closing arguments. Then Dietz... more »
  • Advocate: Vouchers could save Texas $2B per year

    January 22, 2013 5:06 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas public schools could save up to $2 billion annually if the state allows families to use public funding on private schooling, a school vouchers advocate testified Tuesday at the ongoing school finance trial. Joseph Bast, president of the conservative, Chicago-based think tank the Heartland Institute, acknowledged... more »
  • Advocate: Vouchers could save Texas $2B per year

    January 22, 2013 2:43 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas public schools could save up to $2 billion annually if the state allows families to use public funding on private schooling, a school vouchers advocate testified Tuesday at the ongoing school finance trial. Joseph Bast, president of the conservative, Chicago-based think tank the Heartland Institute, acknowledged... more »
  • Business leader: Firms can't find educated workers

    January 17, 2013 5:38 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The head of a key business lobbying group says poor schooling in Texas has left many of the state's firms without enough qualified applicants to fill job vacancies. Bill Hammond is head of the Texas Association of Business. His association has joined conservative activists and ex-state officeholders... more »
  • School finance trial shifts focus to efficiency

    January 15, 2013 5:51 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The sweeping case challenging how Texas public schools are funded entered a new phase Tuesday, now focusing on efficiency with testimony from a suburban Fort Worth mother who home-schooled her fifth-grader for a year because there was no space at a local charter school. The case before... more »
  • School finance trial shifts focus to efficiency

    January 15, 2013 5:07 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The sweeping case challenging how Texas public schools receive funding has entered a new phase focused on efficiency. A mother from suburban Fort Worth testified Tuesday about how she home-schooled her fifth grader for a year because there was no space for him in a local charter... more »
  • School finance trial shifts focus to efficiency

    January 15, 2013 3:24 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The lawsuit challenging how Texas public schools receive funding is entering a new phase focused on efficiency. In the final weeks of the case, brought by more than 600 school districts against the Legislature, attorneys will try to define what qualifies as the most efficient way to... more »
  • Expert: English-language learners do well on exams

    January 14, 2013 1:34 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An expert says students who need instruction on the English language now make up 28 percent of all Texas public school students in early elementary school grades. Testifying in the school finance trial Monday was Laura Ayala, recently retired director of English-Language Learner Assessments for the Texas... more »
  • Official admits to errors in school finance report

    January 9, 2013 2:26 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A key state witness has admitted to making calculation errors when compiling a report she presented during Texas' school finance trial. The mistakes were made as part of database findings that Lisa Dawn-Fisher had testified about over two days. Dawn-Fisher is the Texas Education Agency's associate commissioner... more »
  • Official admits to errors in school finance report

    January 9, 2013 2:19 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A key state witness has admitted to making calculation errors when compiling a report she presented during Texas' school finance trial. The mistakes were made as part of database findings that Lisa Dawn-Fisher had testified about over two days. Dawn-Fischer is the Texas Education Agency's associate commissioner... more »
  • Official admits to errors in school finance report

    January 9, 2013 2:03 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A key state witness has admitted to making calculation errors when compiling a report she presented during Texas' school finance trial. The mistakes were made as part of database findings that Lisa Dawn-Fisher had testified about over two days. Dawn-Fischer is the Texas Education Agency's associate commissioner... more »
  • Texas schools running $1B short, expert testifies

    January 7, 2013 5:35 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas' public schools are $1 billion short, meaning officials will soon have to seek that much in supplemental appropriations from the state Legislature in order to meet upcoming financial obligations, a top official said at the school finance trial Monday. Shirley Beaulieu, chief financial officer at the... more »
  • Texas schools running $1B short, expert testifies

    January 7, 2013 4:39 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Public Education in Texas is running $1 billion short, meaning officials will soon have to seek that much in supplemental appropriations from the state Legislature. That's what Shirley Beaulieu, chief financial officer at the Texas Education Agency, told the court Monday during the state's sweeping school finance... more »
  • Texas school funding trial resumes after holidays

    January 7, 2013 3:38 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A state budget expert testified Monday about the scope of the projected budget deficit Texas faced when the Legislature slashed public school spending by nearly $5.4 billion, as testimony resumed following a three-week break in school districts' lawsuit over the funding cut. Rob Coleman, the Texas Comptroller's... more »
  • Witness says cuts to schools came amid bad economy

    January 7, 2013 1:18 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A budget expert has told Texas' school finance trial that the sluggish economy contributed to the state Legislature's decision to cut almost $5.4 billion from public schools in 2011. Testifying Monday was Rob Coleman, assistant director of fiscal management for the Texas Comptroller's Office. He detailed how... more »
  • School finance trial resuming after holiday break

    January 7, 2013 3:06 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The school finance trial is gearing up again after a holiday hiatus. More than 600 school districts responsible for educating three-quarters of Texas' over 5 million public-school students have sued the state. They claim that $5.4 billion in cuts to public education and grant programs approved in... more »
  • Texas school finance trial takes holiday break

    December 13, 2012 4:30 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas' school finance trial is going on a holiday hiatus until Jan. 7. More than 600 school districts responsible for educating three-quarters of Texas' over 5 million public-school students have sued the state. They claim that $5.4 billion in cuts to public education and grant programs approved... more »
  • Expert: More school funding won't improve outcome

    December 12, 2012 4:20 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An expert testifying for the state of Texas said Wednesday that increasing the amount of money spent per public-school pupil hasn't translated to higher standardized test scores or increased student performance. "If you look at the data, it doesn't support the argument that spending more money will... more »
  • Expert: More school funding won't improve outcome

    December 12, 2012 1:24 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An expert has testified that increasing the amount Texas spends per public-school pupil hasn't translated to higher standardized test scores. University of Missouri economist Michael Podgursky took the witness stand Wednesday during the state's school finance trial. He said he had performed studies refuting claims that "if... more »
  • Plaintiffs wrap up case in school finance trial

    December 5, 2012 1:37 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The more than 600 Texas school districts suing the state over funding are wrapping up their case. John Folks, former superintendent of Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, is the plaintiffs' last witness. He took the stand Wednesday. Districts argue that $5.4 billion in cuts to... more »
  • Quality of Texas teachers dropping with low pay

    December 4, 2012 2:15 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An expert economist has testified in the public school finance trial that Texas teacher quality in the state is dropping, largely because of low pay in a competitive market. Duke University Professor Jacob Vigdor said Tuesday that teacher salaries in Texas are 30 percent lower than for... more »
  • Expert shows school district funding disparities

    December 3, 2012 6:15 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The Texas Legislature's decision to cut $1.4 billion in grants to public schools disproportionately hurt poor districts, costing them $253 per student a year compared with $21 a year for rich districts, an expert testified Monday. Albert Cortez, policy director at the Intercultural Development Research Association, also... more »
  • Expert shows school district funding disparities

    December 3, 2012 2:53 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas' poorest school districts charge higher local property taxes yet collect about a fourth less in revenue per student than the state's wealthiest districts, an expert testified Monday during a trial challenging how the state finances public schools. Albert Cortez, policy director at the Intercultural Development Research... more »
  • Expert shows school district funding disparities

    December 3, 2012 1:29 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An expert says the poorest Texas school districts charge higher local property taxes and yet collect about a fourth less in revenue per student than the state's wealthiest districts. Albert Cortez is policy director at the Intercultural Development Research Association. He told Texas' school finance trial Monday... more »
  • Expert: Texas student SAT, ACT scores largely flat

    November 28, 2012 5:28 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An expert testified Wednesday that the percentage of Texas high school graduates who do well enough on the SAT and ACT to be considered ready for college has remained little-changed at about 27 percent in recent years, despite their rising scores on tougher statewide standardized tests. James... more »
  • Expert: Texas student SAT, ACT scores largely flat

    November 28, 2012 2:00 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An expert has suggested that tougher Texas standardized tests have not translated to statewide student improvement on the SAT and ACT. James Kallison is former assistant commissioner at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. He testified Wednesday at the school finance trial that 62.6 percent of Texas... more »
  • Pollster testifies at Texas school finance trial

    November 27, 2012 7:14 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A pollster on Tuesday told Texas' school finance trial how the state's "Robin Hood" funding system makes voters in wealthy areas unlikely to support property tax increases. Larry Harris, a founder of the Mason Dixon Polling & Research firm, testified before state District Judge John Dietz about... more »
  • Pollster testifies at Texas school finance trial

    November 27, 2012 6:40 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A pollster has told Texas' school finance trial how the state's "Robin Hood" system makes voters in wealthy areas unlikely to support property tax increases. Larry Harris testified Tuesday about surveys in three property-wealthy school districts. He said nearly nine out of 10 voters there opposed local... more »
  • Judge: Tough ed standards may reflect new reality

    November 20, 2012 4:52 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The judge in Texas' sweeping school finance trial wondered Tuesday if "maybe we as a state have been satisfied with mediocrity" adding that tougher academic standards may simply reflect a new global reality. State District Judge John Dietz made the comment while hearing testimony from Nabor Cortez,... more »
  • Judge: Tough ed standards may reflect new reality

    November 20, 2012 2:39 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The judge hearing Texas' sweeping school finance trial has suggested "maybe we as a state have been satisfied with mediocrity." State District Judge John Dietz heard testimony Tuesday from Nabor Cortez, superintendent of La Feria Independent School District in the Rio Grande Valley. Cortez said students from... more »
  • Judge rules on errors in school finance evidence

    November 19, 2012 7:35 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A state judge hearing arguments Monday in the Texas school finance trial denied a motion to allow districts to resubmit evidence after attorneys for the state uncovered errors during cross examination. Judge John Dietz said he would not allow the schools suing the state to recalculate a... more »
  • Judge rules on errors in school finance evidence

    November 19, 2012 2:51 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A state judge hearing arguments Monday in the Texas school finance trial denied a motion to allow districts to resubmit evidence after attorneys for the state uncovered errors during cross examination. Judge John Dietz said he would not allow the schools suing the state to recalculate a... more »
  • Judge rules on errors in school finance evidence

    November 19, 2012 1:33 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The state judge hearing arguments in the Texas school finance trial denied a motion to allow districts to resubmit evidence after errors were uncovered. Judge John Dietz said Monday he would not allow the schools suing the state to recalculate a study that found Texas needs to... more »
  • Expert: Texas' bilingual ed needs have skyrocketed

    November 13, 2012 5:49 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas has seen a significant increase in the number of its public-school students considered English-language learners but is cutting funding to bilingual programs vital to ensuring they succeed, an expert told the state's sweeping school finance trial Tuesday. Delia Pompa, senior vice president of the National Council... more »
  • Expert: Schools need $8B in extra funding per year

    October 29, 2012 7:13 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas will need to spend at least an additional $8 billion per year to ensure its students meet the tough new academic standards imposed by state lawmakers, a top school finance expert testified Monday. Lynn Moak, a leading education analyst in Texas for nearly 5 decades, told... more »
  • Expert: Schools need $8B in extra funding per year

    October 29, 2012 7:11 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas will need to spend at least an additional $8 billion per year to ensure its students meet the tough new academic standards imposed by state lawmakers, a top school finance expert testified Monday. Lynn Moak, a leading education analyst in Texas for nearly 5 decades, told... more »
  • Expert: Schools need $8B in extra funding per year

    October 29, 2012 5:33 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A school finance expert says Texas needs to spend at least an additional $8 billion annually to ensure its students meet tough new academic standards. Lynn Moak testified Monday at a sweeping trial challenging as unconstitutional the way the state funds schools. He said nearly half of... more »
  • Texas school finance case focuses on demographics

    October 23, 2012 5:43 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A boom in Texas' Hispanic population, coupled with starkly higher poverty rates for minorities statewide, could so hurt future household income that it would cost the Lone Star State $11.4 billion annually in lost tax revenue by 2050, a demographics expert testified Tuesday at a school finance... more »
  • Texas school finance case focuses on demographics

    October 23, 2012 2:02 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A boom in Texas' Hispanic population, coupled with starkly higher poverty rates for minorities statewide, could so hurt future household income that it would cost the Lone Star State $11.4 billion annually in lost tax revenue by 2050, a demographics expert testified Tuesday at a school finance... more »
  • Texas school finance case focuses on demographics

    October 23, 2012 1:38 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A demographics expert has testified about the Texas booming Hispanic population at a trial about how the state funds public education. Former director of the U.S. Census Bureau Steve Murdock testified Tuesday that the trend will continue through 2050. Murdock also said minorities tend to earn less... more »
  • School finance case to focus on demographics shift

    October 23, 2012 2:28 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas' dramatically shifting demographics will be the focus Tuesday as attorneys representing about 600 school districts call their first witness in a trial in which the districts are suing the state over how it funds public education. Demographer Steve Murdock, former director of the U.S. Census Bureau... more »
  • School finance case to focus on demographics shift

    October 23, 2012 2:23 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas' dramatically shifting demographics will be the focus as the first witness is called in a school finance trial. Demographer Steve Murdock will take the stand Tuesday on behalf of about 600 school districts suing the state over how it funds public education. Murdock is expected to... more »
  • Lawsuits put Texas school finance system on trial

    October 22, 2012 5:48 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Attorneys representing around 600 school districts argued Monday that Texas' school financing system is so "hopelessly broken" that it violates the state Constitution while keeping students from being prepared for the well-paying jobs of tomorrow. The state countered that, even though the system is flawed, it's nowhere... more »
  • Attorney: Texas school funding 'hopelessly broken'

    October 22, 2012 2:23 PM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Attorneys representing around 600 school districts argued Monday that Texas' school financing system is so "hopelessly broken" that it violates the state Constitution and keeps students from being prepared for the well-paying jobs of tomorrow. Six lawsuits have been filed on behalf of about two-thirds of Texas... more »
  • Texas schools head to trial over school finance

    October 22, 2012 10:52 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Attorneys for hundreds of Texas school districts are telling a judge that state funding for public education is "hopelessly broken." In opening statements Monday in Austin, Judge John Dietz heard that unless Texas bolsters its school funding, the earning power of its residents will decline so much... more »
  • Texas schools head to trial over school finance

    October 22, 2012 8:53 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas lawmakers cut $5.4 billion from public schools nearly 18 months ago, and now districts are headed to court to argue that the resulting system is so inefficient and unfair that it violates the state constitution. Simply restoring funding to levels prior to the 2011 legislative session... more »
  • Texas schools take their case to court _ again

    October 22, 2012 3:40 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A closely watched fight over how Texas funds its public schools heads to court Monday, where rich schools, poor schools and charter schools will try to convince a judge to declare the system unconstitutional. The trial, the sixth legal battle of its kind since 1984, comes nearly... more »
  • Texas schools take their case to court _ again

    October 22, 2012 3:11 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Rich schools, poor schools and charter schools are all part of the sweeping school finance lawsuit heading to trial Monday in Austin. The trial involves lawsuits filed on behalf of about two-thirds of school districts statewide. While the trial isn't all about money, the $5.4 billion in... more »
  • Texas schools head to trial over school finance

    October 22, 2012 1:59 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas districts going to trial in a sweeping school finance case say their concerns are not just about money. But the $5.4 billion in public education cuts approved by Texas lawmakers in 2011 will certainly be a focal point. The trial starts Monday in Austin. It involves... more »
  • Texas schools take their case to court _ again

    October 21, 2012 9:45 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Nearly 18 months after Texas lawmakers cut $5.4 billion from public schools, districts are headed to court to argue that the resulting system is so inefficient and unfair that it violates the state Constitution. Lawyers say that simply restoring funding to levels prior to the 2011 legislative... more »
  • Texas schools take their case to court _ again

    October 21, 2012 9:42 AM

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The sweeping school finance lawsuit going to trial Monday in Austin isn't only about money. But the $5.4 billion in cuts to public education approved by the Texas Legislature in 2011 will certainly be a focal point of the case. The trial involves lawsuits filed on behalf... more »

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