Texas Constitution And The Birth Of Public Education

The Texas Constitution has a long history of advocating for public education. As early as 1838, President Mirabeau B. Lamar pushed for the establishment of public schools, earning him the title Father of Education in Texas. The Texas Constitution of 1845 instructed the Legislature to allocate at least 10% of tax revenue for schools. The 1869 Constitution further solidified this commitment by mandating compulsory school attendance and allocating one-fourth of general revenue for public education. The present Texas Constitution, adopted in 1876, provided for the establishment of a perpetual public school fund, allotting over 52 million acres of land for school purposes. This demonstrates a strong and enduring dedication to public education in the state of Texas, with various constitutional provisions across different eras working to ensure access to education for all.

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The 1845 Texas Constitution

The Texas Constitution of 1845 advocated for public education, instructing the Legislature to allocate at least 10% of tax revenue towards the establishment of free schools. This was a significant step towards providing universal access to education in the state. The Constitution directed the Legislature to take the necessary steps to establish free schools throughout Texas and ensure their financial support through taxation on property. This marked a shift from earlier attempts at establishing schools in Texas, which often lacked stable funding and support from the central government.

The 1845 Constitution's emphasis on education reflected the priorities of Texas's early settlers, who recognised the importance of education in their communities. As early as 1838, President Mirabeau B. Lamar, often referred to as the "Father of Education in Texas," urged the Republic of Texas Congress to set aside public domain for public schools. This led to Congress passing bills in 1839 and 1840 that adopted a plan for a school system ranging from primary to university levels.

However, it is worth noting that the Republic did not establish a formal public school system or university during this period. The Texas Constitution of 1845 provided the legislative framework and financial commitment needed to turn this vision into a reality. It ensured that the necessary funds would be available to support the development of free schools across the state. This included allocating a significant portion of the state's annual revenue to create a perpetual fund dedicated to supporting free public schools.

The Texas Constitution of 1845 also emphasised the importance of local control over education. It delegated the responsibility for establishing and maintaining schools to the Legislature, allowing for more tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of Texas's growing communities. This approach continued to evolve, leading to the formation of independent school districts and increased local autonomy in curriculum development and administration.

While the 1845 Constitution laid the foundation for public education in Texas, subsequent constitutions and legislative reforms further strengthened and refined the state's educational system. The Constitutions of 1866, 1869, and 1876 built upon the initial framework, introducing measures such as compulsory school attendance, dedicated funding sources, and the establishment of a state board of education.

In conclusion, the Texas Constitution of 1845 played a pivotal role in establishing public education as a priority in the state. It provided the legislative mandate, financial commitment, and local control necessary to create a robust educational system. The impact of this foundational document continues to be felt today, as Texas consistently strives to improve educational outcomes and ensure access to quality education for all its students.

President Mirabeau B. Lamar's advocacy for public education

Public education was one of the primary goals of Texas's early settlers. Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, born in 1798 in Louisville, Georgia, was an attorney, politician, poet, and leading political figure during the Texas Republic era. He was elected as the second president of the Republic of Texas in 1838.

Lamar advocated for public education as early as 1838, when he urged the Republic of Texas Congress to set aside public domain for public schools. He believed that education should be a priority to cultivate a knowledgeable citizenry. In his message to Congress, he stated that a "cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy." This interest in education earned him the nickname the ""Father of Education in Texas."

In 1839, Congress acted on Lamar's proposal and passed an act that set aside land for public schools and two universities. Three leagues of land were designated to support public schools in each Texas county, with an additional 50 leagues for a state university. Each county was allocated an additional league of land in 1840. Despite Lamar's advocacy, the Republic did not establish a public school system or university during his term.

When Lamar left office in 1841, Texas was facing a significant financial debt, much of which was accrued from carrying out his policies. However, his efforts laid the foundation for the development of public education in Texas. The 1845 Texas State Constitution, which came into effect after Texas was admitted into the Union, advocated for public education and instructed the Legislature to allocate at least 10% of tax revenue for schools.

In summary, President Mirabeau B. Lamar played a pivotal role in advocating for public education in Texas. His efforts to set aside public lands for schools and universities, coupled with his belief in the importance of education for a democratic society, earned him a notable place in the history of Texas's educational development.

The 1869 Constitution

The Texas Constitution of 1869, also known as Article IX: Public Schools, laid the foundation for the establishment of public education in the state. It outlined the responsibilities of the Legislature in providing for the support and maintenance of a system of Public Free Schools. According to the document, it was the duty of the Legislature to ensure that:

> "...all the children in the State, within the scholastic age, are, without delay, provided with ample means of education."

Furthermore, the Constitution mandated that the Legislature make suitable provisions for a system of Public Free Schools to offer gratuitous instruction to all inhabitants of the state between the ages of six and eighteen years. It also established the role of a Superintendent of Public Instruction, who would be elected by the people after the first term of office, with the exception of the initial term, which would be filled by appointment of the Governor.

The Constitution of 1869 built upon earlier efforts to establish public education in Texas. As early as 1838, President Mirabeau B. Lamar advocated for setting aside public domain for public schools. This led to congressional actions in 1839 and 1840 that adopted a plan for a school system ranging from primary to university levels. The Texas Constitution of 1845 further emphasised the importance of public education, allocating at least 10% of tax revenue for schools. The 1869 Constitution, however, provided more detailed guidelines and funding mechanisms, setting the stage for the development of public education in the state.

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The 1876 Constitution

The Texas Constitution of 1876 provided for the establishment of public education in the state. The constitution set out that:

> All funds, lands, and other property heretofore set apart and appropriated for the support of public schools; all the alternate sections of land reserved by the state of grants heretofore made or that may hereafter be made to railroads, or other corporations, of any nature whatsoever; one half of the public domain of the state, and all sums of money that may come to the state from the sale of any portion of the same shall constitute a perpetual public school fund.

This meant that more than 52 million acres of Texas's public domain were allotted for school purposes. The 1876 Constitution also provided for one-fourth of occupation taxes and a poll tax of one dollar for school support, and made provisions for local taxation.

The Texas public education system has undergone numerous reforms since the 1876 Constitution. In 1885, a system of accreditation was created. In 1911, a rural high school law was passed, establishing county boards of education. In 1949, the Gilmer-Aikin Laws reorganized the state system of public schools, and in 1984, House Bill 72 was passed, enacting sweeping reforms of the public school system. In 1995, the Texas Education Code was overhauled, returning more authority to local school districts.

The Texas Education Agency

The Texas Constitution of 1845 advocated for public education, instructing the Legislature to designate at least 10% of tax revenue for schools. The Constitution of 1869 eliminated the separation of taxation for White and Black populations and reaffirmed provisions for the public education fund. It also set compulsory school attendance at four months a year. The Constitution of 1876 further strengthened the commitment to public education by allocating land, funds, and property for the support of public schools.

Over the years, the TEA has overseen significant reforms to the Texas Education System. In 1984, House Bill 72 was passed, providing a pay raise for teachers and increasing funding for property-poor school districts. In 1995, Senate Bill 1 was passed, which overhauled the Texas Education Code, returning more authority to local school districts and establishing the State Board for Educator Certification.

The TEA also plays a crucial role in maintaining financial equity among school districts and upholding the state's education accountability system. The accountability system measures and holds schools and districts accountable for student performance and dropout rates. Additionally, the TEA manages funding for agencies and institutions of higher education, ensuring that eligible universities receive support for research and educational activities.

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