LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
EQUALIZED EDUCATION FUNDING IMPACT STATEMENT
 
81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 26, 2009

TO:
Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB955 by Shapiro (Relating to the state virtual school network.), As Introduced

The bill would make formula and/or structural changes to the Foundation School Program by adding an allotment generated by student completions of electronic coursework via the Texas Virtual School Network.  The proposed Tier 1 allotment would be excluded from the calculation of weighted average daily attendance and would be in addition to any amounts provided or retained under Chapters 41 or 42, Education Code.  The bill would prohibit any reductions to the allotment under the provisions of Chapter 41 or 42, Education Code.  In addition to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, the allotment would be provided to state agencies and juvenile probation departments for coursework completed by students under their supervisionThe impact of this bill on equalized funding requirements and policies affecting public education would depend upon the circumstances of school districts that receive funding under the allotment by providing courses or having students who complete courses.  The effects of extending Foundation School Program eligibility and entitlement to include state agencies and juvenile probation departments cannot be determined.



Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, JSp