About 50 percent of Texas school districts were awarded high-quality prekindergarten grant funds for school years 2015-16 and 2016-17. However, the demographics of school districts that applied for and were awarded the grants varied substantially. Grant awards correlated with the total Prek through 12 grade student enrollment of school districts. Large suburban and urban school districts were more successful in applying for the grant compared to smaller student enrollment school districts. Grants were awarded to 9 out of 10 districts serving 10,000 or more students in Prek through 12th grade. However, only 1 of 3 districts serving less than 1,000 students in Prek through 12th grade were awarded grants. This is significant considering 50 percent of Texas school districts have an total student enrollment of less than 1,000 students.
House Bill 4 enacted by the 84th Legislature limited the grant award to no more than $1,500 for each qualifying student. However, so many districts applied for the grant that awards equaled only about $300 per qualifying student. If this program is to be more effective, it appears that the 2017 Legislature will need to significantly increase the high-quality prekindergarten grant allocation so the average grant award is more nearly equal $1,500 per qualifying prekindergarten student provided for in HB 4.
