Texas senators seem open to major change in state’s public education funding formula

The sun sets over Lufkin High School in Lufkin on Jan. 29, 2023. Texas senators on Monday appeared open to consider a major change to the formula used to determine how much money the state gives schools per student. (Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune)

During the Senate Finance Committee’s first public education hearing Monday, senators seemed open to reconsidering the core metric used to determine how much money the state gives schools per student, a switch that many school districts say would result in millions in additional funding.

Several senators questioned Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath on whether it would be wise for the state to change the basis of the state’s public education formula from average daily attendance to enrollment, as many Texas superintendents have requested.