TEXAS (AP) -- AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A state report shows that there's
enrollment boom in Texas public schools and the number of students
from low-income families is increasing.
Last year, poor children made up 57 percent of the state's
enrollment. That's up from 48 percent in the 1998-99 academic year.
The report from the Texas Education Agency also says Texas'
enrollment has grown 20 percent over the decade to 4.7 million
students last school year. Enrollment in all U.S. public schools
increased 8.1 percent.
Sarah Winkler, president of the Texas Association of School
Boards and an Alief school district trustee, tells the San Antonio
Express-News, "Economically disadvantaged students have needs. The
cost of education is going to go up. Every student has to meet the
same standards, and some of those students have never seen a book
before."
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
