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In 2023, Texas legislators dramatically overhauled how community colleges receive state funding with the passing of House Bill 8. The bill shifts the state’s funding structure to be based on how many hours students are in class instead of by how many students graduate or transfer to a four-year university.
Community college leaders welcomed the change with open arms, saying the new system will incentivize degree completion and better workforce preparation.
Join The Texas Tribune at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, in downtown Austin’s Studio 919 and online for a conversation on how the state now funds community colleges, how campuses are implementing these changes and what outcomes they’re already seeing. Together, we’ll also talk through how community colleges fared in the 2023 session and what school leaders are watching for in 2024.
The event will be moderated by Texas Tribune reporter Sneha Dey, who covers pathways from education to employment and the accessibility of postsecondary education in Texas. Panelists will be announced soon. This in-person event will be livestreamed here for virtual attendees and will be available to watch on demand afterward.
Disclosure: The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
