The administrative cost ratio presently used to limit the proportion of education dollars spent on administration misleads the informed voter. The administrative cost ratio should be replaced by a more understandable, unambiguous statistic that empowers taxpayers to hold local school officials truly accountable for the share of taxpayer resources that goes directly to classroom instruction. Many states, including Texas, are giving parents and students greater choice at every step in the educational journey, while holding schools accountable for results. Texas should strengthen the state's system of charter schools by removing the cap on the number of charter schools and offering more logistical and management training support to charter schools. For higher education, we believe more flexibility in exchange for greater accountability would enhance Texas institutions of higher education.
Greater accountability means imposing real consequences for poor performance.
If the school fails to improve by the end of the third year, the Commissioner of Education should impose mandatory reconstitution and remove and replace staff. Over the past decade, Texas public school enrollment has risen by 21 percent and is expected to reach 4.4 million in 2009. Moreover, the makeup and needs of Texas' student population are gradually changing, and universities and colleges must adapt to these changes by developing new means of educating students within the constraints of their increasingly hectic schedules. The state should provide the state core curriculum through the Internet and distance education, and pursue alternatives to traditional school facilities construction. Texas should encourage the establishment of worksite schools.