One major funding question this session was what would become of the $17 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds for Texas public schools, $5 billion of which has still not been assigned to local districts. Thats a preliminary step; the House hasnt finished its version yet, and the two will have to be reconciled later in the session. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Some Social Security Recipients Will Get 2 Payments in June - Money Inclusion in an on-campus teaching scholar club. But more than $10 billion is earmarked for cities and counties. Texas will distribute $5.5B in federal pandemic aid to schools, but how The cost of holding districts harmless is unclear, although TEA officials have estimated it could be close to $1 billion. Adding that language to the budget offered a key win for Texas education advocates, but the state senate declined to include almost all of the nearly $18 billion in federal funds for Texas public schools in the new version of the budget that it passed Tuesday afternoon. Disclosure: Raise Your Hand Texas, H-E-B, Charles Butt and the Texas State Teachers Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. The Texas State Teachers Association wants the money sent straight to districts. The state will distribute the federal package to schools but then reduce its own funding to districts accordingly for those that lost enrollment. Lawmakers had various plans to regulate that funding, which includes over $155 million to Austin ISD, or to withhold some of it from districts for years. 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Parent satisfaction with their local schools remains high, despite low perceptions of public education across the country. The state budget approved by the Texas Senate on Tuesday is just the start: Lawmakers still have to decide what to do with billions in federal COVID-19 relief money. by Ross Ramsey Payments for Supplemental Security Income, a program for certain Americans 65 and up as well as qualified adults and children with disabilities or blindness, will go out on . Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. Texas schools have yet to get any extra federal stimulus money | The Despite concerns about violent crime, low-level offenses including repeat offenses are down compared to six years ago. Stay connected to the latest in education by signing up for our weekly newsletter. Emily Donaldson, staff writer. school districts and business leaders called on Texas leaders to distribute all federal funds directly to systems so they could help students recover from the pandemic. Long-Term Care Insurance allows you to know that you and your loved ones are financially protected as you age. A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austins independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the communitys political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Subscribe to our e-newsletter for Texas education news, stories, policy insights, and ways to make a difference. Invitation and funds to attend the Raise Your Hand Texas Leadership Symposium. Because Texas largely funds public schools based on daily attendance, unexpected dips could have resulted in slashed state funding. If Cypress-Fairbanks ISD eventually does receive its expected share of the stimulus education funding, Henry said he plans to move those dollars toward mental health support services that students will need while transitioning back to in-person learning this coming fall. ", Tuesday morning, representatives from Raise Your Hand Texas left a six-foot tall stool in the state Capitol building with the message Fund TxEd Recovery. Last week, the House Appropriations Committee adopted a minor change to the state budget demanding that no stimulus education funds shall be used to reduce state funding for local education agencies.. We have established seven core policy priorities our true north that guide our long-term work strengthening and supporting public schools in Texas. But state lawmakers holding the most power over budgeting and education funding want the Legislature, instead of local school districts, to decide what to do with these federal stimulus dollars. Because of federal requirements, Texas has to invest over $1 billion of the states own budget in higher education to receive the third round of stimulus funding for K-12 public schools. Do you value our journalism? Cagnassola covers service-driven stories for everyday consumers. How much extra money they receive depends on how their student enrollment fluctuated during the COVID-19 health crisis. We may be compensated if you click this ad. The Texas State Teachers Association cheered the "the death of the voucher bill" but lamented that part of the state's nearly $33 billion surplus wasn't used to boost pay for teachers and . For too long, Texas and the United States have languished in the middle of the rankings. State officials werent clear then how the state would pay for the funding grace period. Recipients of Social Security retirement, disability and survivors benefits are typically paid on second, third and fourth Wednesdays of each month, depending on beneficiaries birth dates. Offers may be subject to change without notice. I think the primary obligation for educating Texas children vests in the Legislature according to the Texas Constitution.. A spokesperson for the Texas Education Agency said districts can still access funding from the first federal stimulus bill by submitting a grant application to the department, but experts added that such regulations often discourage smaller school districts with fewer resources from attempting to receive the funds. Spouses and children getting someone elses benefits are paid on the same day as the main beneficiary. Texas will distribute $5.5B in federal pandemic aid to schools, but how much will make up the state's own funding remains unclear The state plans to use some of the federal funds . Receive our in-depth coverage of education issues and stories that affect North Texans. So as long as you have people making decisions that have never been in those roles, theyre not going to make great decisions.. Once again, the Texas Legislature favors the energy industry over consumers, The future of Texas largest teacher preparation program in limbo after court ruling, The turn: Behind the scenes as American Airlines readies a jet for takeoff, Macys slashes expectations for the year after a pullback by shoppers in the spring, $3.2 million French-inspired Texas mansion hits the market in emerging tech corridor, Norma Hunt, only woman to attend all 57 Super Bowls, dies at 85, Mega-developer Ross Perot Jr. warns of a real estate recession, Temporada de cucarachas en Texas; consejos para combatirlas, Los 5 lagos ms populares del Norte de Texas durante el verano. The state plans to use some of the federal money which represents the final of three packages approved by Congress to help Texas students recover from COVID-19 to hold districts harmless for pandemic-related enrollment declines. Experts said the state has applied for a waiver to avoid sending that added money to higher education, but the process has caused major delays in local districts receiving funds they desperately need. Some of that education money, for example, is to pay for learning loss programs designed to get elementary and secondary school students to the education levels they would have reached without a year of COVID-19 interruptions. Texas has grappled with how to spend billions in federal aid for schools. Even though school buildings closed due to the pandemic two-thirds of the way through the school year, Texass school districts are fully funded for the entire 2019-20 school year," the spokesperson said. You wouldnt know it by some narratives, but public schools are performing better than they have since student performance first started being tracked. For more than a year, the federal government has been pumping billions of dollars into school districts across the country to help them meet the demands of the pandemic. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. More students are graduating from high school. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. 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Health and human services programs in Texas should get $4.4 billion, and rental assistance programs are in line for $1.5 billion. But in Texas, local schools have yet to see an extra dime from the more than $19 billion in federal stimulus money given to the state. Texas teachers lose pay increase in legislative voucher fight | Fort Regular health insurance, disability insurance, and Medicare are not designed to cover long-term care costs. The Texas Senate approved its version of the next state budget on Tuesday a $250.7 billion spending plan for the two years starting Sept. 1. Texas will distribute $5.5B in federal pandemic aid to schools, but how much will make up the states own funding remains unclear, announced schools would be funded based on previous years enrollment at a time, Texas schools to receive millions despite missing students after state extends pandemic provision. Students are achieving higher results in reading and math than they have in decades. Dan Patrick then flagrantly violated Senate rules to reapprove the prior version, with the House amendments, which is now on Abbott's desk. 70% of people 65+ will require long-term care. Heads up: Some recipients of Social Security benefits will get paid twice in June, but there's no reason to worry. Texas Lege Sends Message to Schools: Take the Money, Don't Talk About Support the free press, so we can support Austin. The federal money can be used on accelerated learning strategies such as tutoring, more rigorous curriculum and extended school days or on expenses necessary to respond to the pandemic such as improving air quality. But there are weeks to go in the session, and billions of dollars at stake. SSI payments usually go out on the first of the month but if the date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payments are moved to the previous business day. The state wont settle up with districts until September 2021. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. That plea is specifically directed at $17.9 billion in public education funds from the second and third federal stimulus bundles money some educators want right away, as they plan summer and fall programs to catch kids up. We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. School districts and education associations are lobbying the Legislature to release that money now, letting local officials decide the best ways to spend it. We only use this information to send emails relevant to you and will never share this information with third parties. If you dont receive your benefits as expected, wait three business days before calling the SSA on a weekday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 1-800-772-1213. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway. Another $12.4 billion is designated for the states public schools (along with $6.8 billion from earlier COVID-19 relief). This latest federal relief money, along with money from earlier relief packages thats not yet spent, is essentially a large and separate one-time supplement to the states quarter-trillion-dollar budget. But the waiver only applies to the latest stimulus package, so the state could unlock $5.5 billion for education from the second relief bill at any time. Tax Exemption Numbers: 501(c)(4): 20-8119071, Raise Your Hand Texas Recommends Reforms of States STAAR Test and Public Education Accountability System, Principals Grow as Community Leaders, Advocate for Texas Public Schools, 30 School District Finalists Selected for $6 Million in Grant Funding for Raising Blended Learners Initiative. If you receive both Social Security and SSI, or if you claimed benefits before May 1997, you generally get your regular Social Security payment on the third of the month and SSI on the first. A bill that would have guaranteed that districts could offer virtual learning this fall didn't make it out of the Senate on the last day, collateral damage from the Democratic walkout. By clicking "TRY IT", I agree to receive newsletters and promotions from Money and its partners. April 7, 2021 Disclosure: Raise Your Hand Texas and the Texas State Teachers Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Thursdays funding announcement comes at the tail end of a legislative session when school districts and business leaders called on Texas leaders to distribute all federal funds directly to systems so they could help students recover from the pandemic. Greg Abbott's signature will severely curtail the ways teachers can discuss social issues, limit the reach of sexuality education, and enshrine the ability of affluent parent-teacher associations to pay for extra staff, reversing Austin ISD's recent equity-driven ban on the practice. Theyre not going to just leave it sitting there. These funds are badly needed by our Texas students to address the learning loss suffered as a result of the pandemic.. The Texas identity has always been defined by lofty ideals and a never-ending pursuit of greater opportunity and prosperity for our citizens. So if you didnt have a lot of enrollment decline and didnt need the hold harmless, you may not get any of your [federal funding] supplanted, said Bob Popinski, the director of policy with Raise Your Hand Texas, an Austin-based education advocacy organization. Libby Cohen, the director of advocacy and outreach for Raise Your Hand Texas, said dozens of states are already sending these federal dollars to public schools, and the most recent stimulus package also includes guidance on how to use that money. This latest federal relief money, along with money from earlier relief packages thats not yet spent, is essentially a large and separate one-time supplement to the states quarter-trillion-dollar budget. We can help. Texas educators are making admirable strides in the face of lackluster school funding, increased expectations and classroom mandates, a constantly shifting accountability landscape, and student population growth especially those living in poverty or still learning English. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. Bills awaiting Gov. A scholarship of up to $8,000 per year for up to four years. That could mean some schools get all of their federal aid in addition to their expected state aid while others get no additional dollars. The SSA has a payments schedule that you can refer to here, or you can view your payment status by creating or logging into your Social Security online account under Benefits & Payments., Retirement Do-Over: Here's One of the Most Common Regrets for Today's Retirees, The Chances of the U.S. Defaulting on Its Debt Are Surging, Employers Are Contributing a Record Amount of Money to Workers' 401(k) Accounts, Money Group, LLC Ads by Money. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. She said the Texas Education Agency has asked federal officials for a waiver that would give the state more leeway as it spends the money. Local districts say they need it to cover pandemic-related costs. The future prosperity of our state our economy, communities, and citizenry hinges on the success of every public school, school leader, educator, and child. Find a complete list of them here. A spokesperson for Gov. For more information, read, Some Adults Have an Extra Retirement to Pay for: Their Parents, Meager Social Security Benefits Are a Drain on Americas Retirees, Research Shows, Social Security Quiz Shows Just How Little People Know About Retirement Benefits, Why Some Social Security Recipients Will Get Their April Payments Early, Why Some Social Security Recipients Will Get 2 Payments This Month. Support the Chronicle, Rep. James Talarico on sine die at the 87th Texas Legislature, A cooped-up press corps tries to quantify what they lost along with access, Amid clouds and darkness, Texans get ready to fight for choice, High presession hopes lead to deeper disappointments now, State grabs power to dictate local public safety budgets, The state's dismally large gaps in health care access have grown even wider during the COVID-19 disaster, Wins for trans youth highlight resistance to theocracy, Election integrity bill stymied (for now) as session ends, Bipartisan support, COVID make increased broadband access a priority, Workshops aimed at housing, employment discrimination, One click gets you all the newsletters listed below, Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events. We urge you to send all the federal dollars intended for our schools directly to the school districts as quickly as possible, Butt wrote in letters to state leaders and lawmakers. For this reason, Texas citizens and the officials they elect should support the public school system and its capacity for progress and reinvention. Its not that we dont want to see those dollars going to the schools, Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said during Tuesdays budget debate. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. We find it baffling that Texas is pumping the brakes on this particular issue to the extent that it is, Cohen said. School leaders quickly began making plans to spend those funds, with some targeting it for summer school, tutoring or more staff. State Budget Negotiations Hold Up COVID-19 Aid For Texas Schools At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. by Duncan Agnew Dorado, PR 00646, Metro Office Park Raise Your Hand Texas supports public policy solutions that invest in Texas' 5.4 million public school students. A Long-Term Care Insurance policy makes the process easier by helping you pay for the care you need in your golden years. Raise Your Hand Texas, an education advocacy group, and its founder, Charles Butt, chairman of the San Antonio-based HEB grocery chain, contend delays could make the problems worse. And that will have an impact on our school districts not just this school year, but for several school years to come.. Now, the Legislature has effectively prohibited the creation of that space. Tags 87th Texas legislature bail reform bail reform lawsuit misdemeanors violent crime. That education funding is not in the latest version of the next state budget, nor is the rest of the money from those last two federal stimulus packages. Many districts across Texas have struggled to engage students this year, and many students have simply stopped attending online classes. The state received about $1.3 billion last spring and distributed the money to schools but cut state aid accordingly, meaning local districts saw little supplemental aid. The Chronicle welcomes opinion pieces on any topic from the community. While American schools have made incremental improvements in student achievement over the last few decades, other countries have experienced exponential gains.
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