The Nation : Texas School Funding Hit

The Texas system of financing public schools discriminates against students in property-poor districts and is unconstitutional, a state judge ruled. State District Judge Harley Clark said he found nothing to explain why children living in property-poor school districts shouldn’t have the same opportunities as those in wealthier districts. A lawsuit filed against the state in 1985 by 67 property-poor school districts argued that the current division of state school funds is discriminatory. A basic allotment is made of about $2,900 for each student in attendance. But the state’s 1,000 school districts may supplement the state funds with local school tax funds. Average spending per student was $2,978 in the poorest districts, and $7,233 in the 100 richest districts.