Learn About Our Cause

We work exclusively with Title 1 schools in the Austin Independent School District. Our goal is to bridge the gaps that have been created due to a decline in funding. We lean in to our grass-roots nature and focus on one school, one teacher, or one class at a time. We aim to meet a specific need that is defined by those in the classroom. We ask the teachers via an application, exactly what they need and how it will provide an positive impact.

Title I is a federal program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that provides financial assistance to schools and educational agencies with high percentages of children from low-income families. To be considered Title 1, a minimum of 40% of the students must qualify for free or reduced lunch. The funding aims to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.

In Texas, Title I funding plays a crucial role in supporting schools that serve economically disadvantaged students. 

• Enrollment: State funding often correlates with student attendance, so changes in enrollment numbers can directly affect the amount of funding AISD receives from the state. The decline in enrollment in Austin Independent School District (AISD) can be attributed to several factors, including demographic shifts within Austin and surrounding areas due to rapid urban development and rising housing costs, prompting families to move to more affordable suburbs or neighboring communities. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to temporary decreases in enrollment as some families opted for homeschooling, virtual schooling, or alternative educational settings. Additionally, shifts in educational preferences, such as increased interest in charter schools or specialized programs outside of AISD, have further impacted enrollment trends in the district.

• The "Robin Hood" plan: Officially known as the school finance system or recapture, aims to equalize funding among school districts by redistributing property tax revenue from wealthier districts to less affluent ones. Property-rich districts such as Austin contribute a portion of their local property tax revenue to the state's education fund based on thresholds set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). These funds are then redistributed to property-poor districts to supplement their local tax revenues. 

• Impact of Property Taxes: AISD heavily relies on property taxes for funding. Changes in property values and tax rates can affect the district's revenue stream, especially in a city like Austin where property values have seen significant increases in recent years.

• Austin ISD Faces Budget Deficit, High Transfer Rate
• Austin District Schools See Enrollment Declines in Decade Long Trend.
• Austin ISD Discusses Budget Cuts, Strategies.
• Recapture and Robinhood