EDLD+5343+School+Finance+-+Equality,+Equity,+and+Adequacy

 The concepts of equality, equity, and adequacy seem easy to understand for everyone but the members of the Legislature. I agree with the Equity Center, which claims that if the Legislature wanted an equal, equitable, and adequate funding system, they would have created it by now. Instead, they have created this mess. The current system as a whole is neither equal, equitable, nor adequate. Not every district in Texas is being adequately funded at a foundational level so that all students master the TEKS for their grade level. Most districts are grossly underfunded and they additionally received a cut in their funding this year. Not all students have equal access to a basic education. The system is not equitable because similar districts are funded at different levels. If we want our students to be successful in the 21st century world, we must revise our funding formulas or risk the collapse of the public education system as we know it. Perhaps that is the plan… 
 * //Equality //**// – all students across the state have equal access to basic instructional programs. //
 * 1) //All schools must teach the guaranteed curriculum (TEKS) in all four core subject areas. //
 * 2) //All students must have the opportunity to attend a school that teaches all four core subjects. //
 * //Equity //**// – the system is fair in that similar districts are funded at similar levels. //
 * 1) //Where a student lives should not determine if they will attend a school that is fully funded at a foundational level. //
 * 2) //Districts of the same size, in the same location, with similar demographics, and/or with the same tax effort must be funded at the same level. A community would be outraged if similar schools within the district were funded at different levels, so the entire state should be outraged that similar districts are funded at different levels. //
 * //Adequacy //** – //the funding supports the foundational education of the students so they achieve mastery of basic knowledge and skills (an acceptable rating under the current system).//
 * 1) //The state must fully fund school districts in the four core areas (teachers, textbooks, materials, etc.) so that the students master the TEKS in those areas. //
 * 2) //The funding formulas must take into account the special needs of certain populations (Special Education, Gifted and Talented, Career and Technical Education, etc.) //