Legislature should use discretionary education dollars for proven parent programs
In the first draft of its budget, the Texas House zeroed out funding for Communities in Schools, a good program that creates a link between schools and parents, among other goals. From what I hear, revised drafts of the House budget are treating Communities in Schools a bit better.
That's a good move, although the House shouldn't stop there. There are a few other parental engagement programs that the state should invest in this year. And, yes, the Legislature has the funds to do so.
The Legislature spends about $1.7 billion of discretionary programs for education every two years. That money is outside of the Foundation School Program, which pays schools based largely upon average daily attendance rates. Discretionary programs are tied to specific goals, like exercise initiatives for middle school students.
The House and Senate are both cutting back on discretionary programs. That makes sense. In a budget crisis, not every discretionary program can be a priority.