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Report: Many Mandates on School Districts Don't Address Funding

A key takeaway from TASA | TASB’s updated Report on School District Mandates: Cost Drivers in Public Education is the number of laws and regulations that govern how public schools operate, from instructional programs to parental/student notifications and public notices.  

Cover of the Report on School District Mandates: Cost Drivers in Public Education. Updated December 2024.

Cover of the TASA | TASB Report on School District Mandates: Cost Drivers in Public Education. Updated December 2024. 

The biennial report was recently published on TASB’s website, after including new mandates passed during the 88th Texas Legislature that ended in 2023. While the 58-page document encompasses a majority of mandates passed since 1995, it does not represent the full list of Texas mandates – only those likely to impose a cost for school districts without dedicated funding. 

“The goal of this report is to simply identify the cost drivers that impact school district budgets,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “We think it’s important that school board members and district employees have this information in one spot so they can help their communities better understand all the requirements that public schools comply with to ensure transparency, accountability, and accessibility.” 

The timing of the report may be especially helpful for TASB members as they have budget conversations with their school communities this spring and talk to lawmakers, who will be deciding on a host of public education issues during this current session.  

“We constantly hear from our members about the growing burden of unfunded or underfunded mandates that have a huge impact on their bottom lines,” said TASB’s Associate Executive Director of Governmental Relations Kelly Rasti. “This report offers a great resource to school district leaders who are working hard to explain their budgets amid growing expenses, especially considering the impact of inflation.” 

Both Troxell and Rasti emphasized that new requirements that result from legislation often represent advances and improvements for students, teachers, and families.  

“The only issue we hear from our members is that these mandates should come with funding,” Troxell said. “We support all requirements that create safer, stronger learning environments and protect parental rights and involvement.” 

The report is organized into 11 topic areas with a detailed listing of specific requirements under each one. Here are three conclusions on how these mandates — despite being unfunded or underfunded — are intended to provide transparency, accountability, and accessibility.   

1. Public Notices and Parental/Student Notifications Are Protected in Texas Public Education Law.

Among all the mandates listed, nearly 30 deal with making sure both the public, as well as students and parents, receive timely notifications on everything from elections and budgets, to report cards and class-size limit waivers.

“That’s one of the reasons that public education is such a great choice for Texas families,” Troxell said. “There are a lot of key rights, protections, and disclosures that keep public schools responsive to both parents and taxpayers.” 

2. Texas Public Schools Provide Data Transparency.

Academic, financial and demographic data are all readily available to the public through a long list of reporting requirements that ensure accountability and transparency.

“For parents and school communities, the amount of reporting required by school districts opens the door for increased understanding of what’s going on at any campus,” Troxell said. “By providing detailed data and information, public school districts have a framework to constantly improve and innovate.” 

3. Students With Disabilities and Special Education Needs Are Provided Additional Protections.

Those mandated safeguards include the right to certain academic supports and related services needed for a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive setting. Public schools are also required to follow certain safety protocols to protect special education students, like cameras in some classrooms. 

“Among our most vulnerable students, Texas public schools offer an environment that prioritizes individualized supports with transparency for families,” Troxell said. “In addition, if a family believes a public school is falling short, they have a way to seek a resolution.” 

To stay up to date on the 89th Texas Legislature, visit our Capitol Watch page

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Sylvia Wood
Communications Division Director

Sylvia Wood is the division director of communications for TASB.