$600 Million Funding Slash Hits Mental Health in TX Schools

In Texas, we've already seen the federal spending cuts affect people's lives by taking away jobs. It's also impacted several different programs that were funded federally.

Some of those programs were simply eliminated, while others the responsibility fell to the state should they decide they want to keep them. Public schools were one of the things affected, and now we're starting to gain some clarity on what could be cut.

How Much Funding Was Cut From Texas Public Schools

Going back to when the spending cuts happened initially, the public school system in Texas faced federal spending cuts of at least $600 million.

Because it was such a large number for a system that already doesn't get a lot of funding in the first place, the school systems have had to look at everything and figure out what exactly should be cut. That hasn't been an easy task.

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How Do They Determine What Gets Cut

One thing we don't want to lose from the schools is teachers. Many classrooms are already a bit overcrowded with students, so teachers are having to deal with more.

So, as they look into things, they have to kill off programs that aren't deemed "necessary" to the school functions. Some of them make sense, while one big one stands out that could affect the students.

What Is Potentially Going Away From Texas Schools

A lot of what is being talked about are mental health-type programs. Some of the ones on the chopping block include chronic absenteeism, programs implemented around school mass shootings, and mental wellness. Programs that were wrapped around the pandemic are also at risk of being chopped.

Counselors and social workers at the schools are also at risk of being cut.

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How Much Do Texas Schools Rely On Federal Funding

When it comes to these types of programs specifically, federal funding accounts for around 86% of the mental health funding, according to this Texas Tribune article. Losing the federal funding will more than likely change the face of mental health in public schools.

The schools did try and push for local state money to help with the loss of the federal funds, but it wasn't approved by Texas lawmakers.