In 2023, Texas changed how community colleges would be funded. Instead of the state sending money for the number of students enrolled, campuses would instead get paid for success with students:
House Bill 8 gives colleges money primarily based on how many students complete industry certificates or associate’s degrees, transfer to universities or participate in dual credit. Bonuses are given based on educating high-need students, including those who are economically and academically disadvantaged as well as nontraditional adult learners.
It should have worked.
The schools delivered.
But the state hadn't budgeted enough money for actually attaining the goals that the state had set, and multiple campuses now will now see funding cuts under the new formula instead of the higher funding levels they'd planned for.
The president of one community college that may see a 20% budget cut wrote:
“Successful colleges should not be penalized for exceeding expectations,” Benson wrote. “The timing couldn’t be worse. PJC is serving record numbers of students, expanding workforce programs, strengthening partnerships with school districts and employers, and producing outstanding student outcomes.”
When I introduced my teacher education students to the extensive testing schedules they'd be following in their careers, I'd watch their shoulders slump. They understood that the justification for all of these tests was "accountability" for ensuring that all students were learning. A worthy goal, we all agreed.
But then I'd ask them the key question:
"So if you do all that the state and the feds want you to do and every single student in your school aces the tests, what do you think will happen? Will your hard work and success be publicly celebrated? Or will they rewrite the tests to make them harder?"
Every idealistic/new to the profession student paused for a moment and then predicted that they'd just make the tests harder.
I think that they were right.
Our systems of funding public education have never, ever been designed to meet the challenge of supporting the success of low-income students, even while those controlling the budgets continue to publicly chide schools and colleges for failing to do so.
