TEA says schools won't lose funding for pandemic absences

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted rates of attendance for students across Texas during the 2021-22 school year. To mitigate the potential loss of funding for schools, Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced on Tuesday that he will exercise his authority to approve a reduction in operational minutes for school districts for the first four six-week attendance reporting periods.

Teachers are still needed when attendance drops and the adjustment will help alleviate some of the funding losses due to COVID-19.

"Providing this adjustment to the 2021-22 school year will ensure school systems have the funding they need to retain the best and brightest teachers and provide quality education to all public school students across Texas," Gov. Greg Abbott said. "We have made tremendous strides to return more of our students back to the classroom, and will continue in our efforts to do so."

This is the third time the state has given districts some flexibility when it comes to funding and attendance during the pandemic. Click here to read more.