Governmental Relations
Issue-Based Advocacy Resources
TASA/TASB Report on School District Mandates
TASB and the Texas Association of School Administrators have compiled the Report on School District Mandates 
(pdf) to help districts communicate the cost drivers of public education to their legislators and communities.
Transparency Mandates on School Districts
TASB has compiled a list of transparency mandates imposed on school districts. This document (pdf) can be used to demonstrate the lengths to which districts must go to be transparent.
TASB Legislative Briefing Book
TASB Governmental Relations has created this briefing book (doc) to help board members communicate their districts' issues to legislators.
Issue: Accountability
State and Federal Side-by-Side (pdf)
A detailed side-by-side comparison of the state and federal accountability systems.
Completer/Graduate/Dropout (pdf)
An overview of the definitions of completer, graduate and dropout as they pertain to the accountability system.
Issue Paper: Dropout Rate in Texas (pdf)
An examination of how the dropout rate is calculated in Texas and how it affects schools.
Issue Paper: School Start Date (pdf)
An overview of the history of the school start date debate and a solution that takes current accountability trends into consideration.
2007 Final AYP Ratings (pdf)
A press release from the Texas Education Agency regarding the latest Annual Yearly Progress Ratings with summary tables .
Dropout Prevention Study (pdf)
A new report on best practices in dropout prevention.
Issue: Budget
State Budget Comparison (pdf)
A table comparing the proposed public education appropriations included in the Texas House and Senate budget bills.
Senate Budget Table (pdf)
A table comparing the current proposed public education appropriations in the Texas Senate budget bill to current biennium.
Breakdown of ARRA Funding (pdf)
An examination of public education funding included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
State Fiscal Stabilization Funding Letter (pdf)
TASB letter to House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding regarding allocation of stabilization funds.
TASB Legal Memo: ARRA Overview (pdf)
This memo provides an overview of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act as it relates to schools.
Issue: School Finance
TASB Associate Executive Director Catherine Clark provides a brief overview of funding for the public school system in this video clip.
Issue Paper: Target Revenue (pdf)
An explanation of the school funding mechanism in Texas.
School Finance Overview Presentation (ppt)
A customizable slide presentation of the public school finance system in Texas.
Issue Paper: Funding School Facilities (pdf)
A look at the way schools pay for their facilties.
Issue Paper: Smoothing Out (pdf)
An examination of the concept of "smoothing out" of state payments to school districts and what that means for Texas schools.
Guide to School Finance
A Guide to Texas School Finance was updated in August 2008 and available in the TASB Bookstore.
Basics of Texas Property Taxes
A resource from the Texas Comptroller explaining the property tax system in Texas.
Talking to the Neighbors about School Funding (pdf)
A plain-spoken guide that explains school funding in an easy-to-follow Q&A format.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Summary (pdf)
A detailed description of the multiple funding streams that wil be created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"Schools Must Improve to Get Stimulus Money ," The Washington Post, March 2009 (pdf)
An article from The Washington Post that features commentary by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan regarding the need for schools to improve operations to claim $5 billion in stimulus funds.
Issue: College and Workforce Readiness
Overcoming Barriers to College and Workforce Readiness (pdf)
Suggestions to help state and local policymakers overcome barriers that are impeding Texas school districts from preparing students to succeed in college or the workforce.
Overview: Uniform GPA (pdf)
An explanation of the legislative history and challenges inherent in implementing a uniform GPA calculation in Texas public high schools.
Issue: Prekindergarten
Issue Paper: Prekindergarten in Texas (pdf)
An overview of early education in Texas, including requirements and funding options.
Issue: Religion in Texas Public Schools
TASB Legal Services has compiled several resources regarding religion in public schools.
Issue: School Choice and Vouchers
Issue Paper: School Choice (pdf)
An overview of school choice currently available in the Texas public school system.
Charter Schools in Texas: Facts and Figures (pdf)
A background sheet on Texas charter schools, including data on demographics and accountability results.
Voucher Side-by-Side (pdf)
A side-by-side comparison of voucher legislation in the 81st Texas Legislature.
Comparison of Special Education Vouchers in Other States (pdf)
A look at how five other states are faring after enacting special education voucher programs.
The National School Boards Association has compiled several resources regarding school choice and vouchers.
Issue: Personnel
TASB Legal Services has compiled several resources regarding school district personnel issues.
TASB Human Resources Services has produced useful information available through the HR Exchange and Salary Survey Reports .
Issue: Student Issues
TASB Legal Services has compiled several resources regarding student issues.
Issue: Governance and Elections
TASB Legal Services has compiled several resources regarding governance issues.
"Political Speech During Election Season ," Texas Lone Star, October 2008 (pdf)
An overview of political speech rules governing school districts, board members, district employees and students.
"Watch What You Say ," Texas Lone Star, April 2007 (pdf)
What board members can and cannot say during bond elections and reelection campaigns.
District Resources and Political Advertising (pdf)
The Texas Ethics Commission has produced A Short Guide to the Prohibition Against Using School District Resources for Political Advertising in Connection with an Election. It provides important information about political advertising and district resources that school district employees and board members should know.
"Triggering the Statutes: How Texas Gun Laws Affect Visitors to Public Schools ," Texas Lone Star, January/February 2009 (pdf)
An article by TASB Legal Services regarding laws governing firearms on school campuses.
Issue: School District Business Operations
TASB Legal Services has compiled several resources regarding school district business operations issues.
