Winter 1999

With this publication of the 11th edition of Snapshot, a full decade of reporting public education data in a consistent format has come to a close. This provides an ideal opportunity to review where we were in 1987-88 and look forward with high expectations to the coming millennium.

Although many changes have occurred in the demographics of the students Texas serves, the public education system has responded to these changing needs. Of the 3.2 million students enrolled in Texas public schools in 1987-88, 48 percent were from minority student groups. By 1997-98, the number enrolled had grown to 3.9 million, with 55 percent from minority student groups. School district budgets reflect that operating expenditures have increased from $3,238 to $5,002 per pupil over this time period. State aid has grown from $1,492 to $2,348 per pupil, and total effective tax rates have risen from $0.779 to $1.496 per $100 of property value. Over the same time period, the teacher population has increased from 174,000 to nearly 255,000 full-time equivalents. Teacher salaries were $34,133 in 1997-98, compared to $25,558 in 1987-88.

Through the efforts of educators, policymakers, parents, students, and others, education in our state has improved. This is evident in the performance gains of students as measured by state and nationally administered tests; in increased student participation in higher-level courses and college admissions testing; in more rigorous graduation programs; in higher attendance rates; and in lower dropout rates. Use this edition of Snapshot as an introduction to these and other topics. Seek greater detail by exploring the Texas Education Agency's website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us. Compared to 1987-88, anyone interested can now easily access a wealth of data concerning public education in Texas. You will find the improvement in our students' performance is significant. Become involved in public education and help the improvement continue.

Sincerely yours,

Mike Moses
Commissioner of Education

Acknowledgments

The preparation of this document and the related Pocket Edition would not have been possible without the assistance of many people. First, appreciation goes to the staff of local school districts and regional Education Service Centers who compile and report the vast majority of the information contained in this document. Their efforts directly affect the quality and usefulness of this document.

Many Texas Education Agency staff, in addition to the project staff, generously contributed their time to this project. These include Philip Cochran, Sharlana Dillard, Omar Garcia, Linda Hargrove, Shannon Housson, Jose Johnson, Richard Kallus, Spring Lee, Maureen Moore Scheevel, Joe Wisnoski, and staff of the Texas Education Agency print shop.

Thanks also go to the students and staff of the following schools for allowing us to use photographs of their students: Kocurek Elementary School and Johnston High School of Austin ISD; and R.C. Barton Junior High School of Hays Consolidated ISD. Special thanks goes to photographer Mary Pat Waldron of Austin, Texas.

Executive Management

Mike Moses
Commissioner of Education

Ron McMichael
Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Accountability

Project Staff

Criss Cloudt
Associate Commissioner, Office of Policy Planning and Research

Cherry Kugle
Senior Director, Division of Performance Reporting

Cathy Long
Project Manager, Division of Performance Reporting

Diane Hernandez
Information Specialist III, Division of Performance Reporting

Melinda Fowler
John Haetinger
Trish Smith
Edward Tasch
Betty Weed

State Board of Education