EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Austin ISD, Austin Community College & Texas
Austin ISD Meets Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. 4000 S. I-35, Austin www.austinisd.org Austin Community College Board of Trustees Meets Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin www.austincc.edu MEETINGS WE COVER AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE On Sept. 22, the Austin Community College District board of trustees approved a tax rate of $0.0987 per $100 valuation for 2022-23. DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN ISD Students will have Election Day, Nov. 8, off following a board vote Sept. 29. It will be a staff development day. The district said the holiday is a safety measure for students because some campuses are voting locations. AUSTIN ISD On Oct. 14, Austin ISD became the first Central Texas district to receive two AAA bond ratings. The rating translates to lower interest rates, according to the district.
Texas aims to tie community college funding to student performance
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING State lawmakers will consider changing the funding model of community colleges in the 2023 legislative session. State money accounts for less than 25% of funding for community colleges. Current model Schools receive a flat sum of $1.3M Additional funding is based on: • enrollment • growth • operational costs • other factors Proposed model Schools would receive money for credentials of value, which are postsecondary degrees or certificates More funds awarded based on: • more credentials in high-demand fields; and • students who transfer to four-year universities. Adjustments account for higher costs of educating students who need more support. SOURCE: TEXAS COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINANCE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
BY HANNAH NORTON
According to the commission, state money accounts for less than 25% of funding for community colleges, alongside student tuition and local property taxes. As a result, colleges are forced to compete for state funds. The proposed finance model eliminates competition and instead [keeps] pace with college’s outcomes,” according to Harrison Keller, commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Funding would also be adjusted to account for the higher costs of educating students who need more support, such as low- income students, “academically underprepared students” and adults who return to school. State lawmakers will review the commission’s recommendations during the 2023 legislative session, which begins Jan. 10.
TEXAS On Oct. 18, the Texas Commission on Community College Finance — a commission created by the Texas Legislature in 2021 — unanimously approved its recom- mendation to overhaul community college funding. The proposed system bases funding on student performance, with a focus on graduation rates, successful transfer to four-year universities and credentials of value. The commission also recommends an increase in need-based financial aid and greater investments in college capacity. Under the current funding system, each community college district receives a flat sum of approximately $1.3 million, then state lawmakers provide additional funding based on enrollment, growth, operational costs and more.
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