Texas gains a ranking of average

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In an annual report card published by Education Week grading states on education, Texas received an overall C-. Similar reports by other agencies have left the state in embarrassment due to its low re-appearing ranking. The revelation didn't sit well with Texans who are commonly known for their extreme nationalism at a state level. The good news is that districts have now put an eminent amount of pressure on legislatures to fix the problem to increase public school funding. 

In 1993, focus was given to the funding system of  districts in Texas, the unequal distribution resulted in legislatures passing a bill known as the "Robin Hood Plan". The law granted the sharing of property taxes from wealthy districts to poorer districts in order to equalize the amount of money schools obtained. The arrangement prevailed, and for a time it seemed that Texas had abandoned its notion of individual self-reliance, and adopted the value of community. But in 2011 there was a $15 billion revenue shortfall in the state's budget that forced cuts to be made wherever possible. Due to education occupying the largest portion of the money, it suffered the greatest lose of $5 billion in funds. Since then the cut has remained, but recent headlines over Texas' low education quality, a demand for the return of the $5 billion has been made.

In addition, only a few years later (2005) the Texas Supreme Court ruled against the "Robin Hood System" claiming it was unconstitutional because it had grown into a broad state property tax. The reverting of the helping hand resulted in 1/3 of the funding provided by property taxes to be cut. An increase in business and cigarette taxes was made in order to compensate for the lost revenue. 

Texas' regressive tax system, means an individuals tax rate decreases as their income increases. Along with being one of 7 states without an income tax, which is in itself progressive, means that the state must find a different way to fund itself. A spike in sales and property taxes generates enough revenue to keep it proficiently running. 84% of the population who are middle class and below are the main contributors of the states budget. People in poverty which make up 17% of the population, lose overall the highest percentage of their income to taxes. They also have the least representation in government which explains why their districts have some of the worse school facilities and test scores.

Now, you may be asking yourself "what do taxes have to do with a student's school performance?". Well, it's no secret that poverty can substantially influence a persons academic turnout. More money in a school can produce new programs and better facilities. Working class parents who may not have either the time or education to help their children benefit the most from the rise of such programs. After school activities and tutoring can fill the gap of an absent parent and keep kids up to pace with the curriculum.

Moreover, only half of Texas' 4 year-olds attend pre-K which is alarming seeing as studies have shown that age 5 is a critical period for learning. Luckily the importance of pre-K attendance has been noted by the Senate who this year approved an additional $130 million into the program. 

Although, steps have been made towards the improvement of the states education system, the urgency of the issue has not been prioritized. Until Texas adopts a progressive tax system along with an income tax, the wage gap between the wealthy and poor will continue to grow. And with it, much of the population will continue to be under represented in political matters that they, as main contributors, are entitled to the most consideration.