Education Finance & Governance Archives | Texapedia

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath

Education

Commissioner of Education

Get to know the top official within Texas's decentralized public education system: their duties, decision-making powers, and influence over policy and politics.

Texapedia StaffMay 19, 2025

Rundown School

20th Century History Education Landmark Laws & Court Opinions

The Edgewood v. Kirby Case and School Finance Reform

How a 1989 Texas Supreme Court decision forced the state to confront deep funding disparities between wealthy and impoverished school districts.

Texapedia StaffMay 15, 2025

Old Texas Schoolhouse Thumbnail

20th Century History Texas History

The Failed 1999 School Finance Constitutional Amendment

In 1999, Texas lawmakers proposed a sweeping constitutional amendment to fix the state’s deeply flawed school finance system.

Texapedia StaffMay 4, 2025

School Cafeteria Oil Painitng

Education Taxes & Finance

Education Finance in Texas

Overview of Texas' school finance system, including state, local and federal sources of revenue

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

Texas ISD trustee meeting

Education Elections

School Board Elections in Texas

School districts in Texas may conduct trustee elections using at-large voting, single-member districts, or a hybrid system combining both.

Texapedia StaffMay 30, 2025

Education State Agencies

Texas State Board of Education

Comprehensive overview of the structure of the 15-member board that sets curriculum for public schools in Texas.

Texapedia StaffNovember 19, 2022

Education State Agencies

Texas Education Agency

TEA is a state agency that provides oversight, policy guidance, and coordination within Texas' decentralized public education system.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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