July 27, 2015 4:02 PM

Former Comptroller Susan Combs revives scuttled school accountability program

US Sen. Cornyn liked program enough to amend it to federal education legislation, but the reaction of ISDs to the program called FAST has been tepid, at best.

Former Comptroller Susan Combs has given new life to an often overlooked school finance accountability program that successor Glenn Hegar chose to scuttle at the Comptroller’s Office only months before U.S. Senator John Cornyn added the program to federal legislation.

The Financial Allocation Study of Texas, or FAST, was a program closely associated with former Comptroller Susan Combs. So the fact Hegar might choose to move on to other initiatives this year was not a surprise. What was surprising was to hear Sen. Cornyn had attached the concept of FAST to the Senate bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act as it was being debates on the Senate floor this month.

“I’m pleased with today’s strong support for employing this successful model from Texas on a national scale,” Cornyn said in a statement the day he attached the FAST amendment. “Enabling states to more efficiently use their education funds will allow teachers and local school officials across the country to put students’ needs first.”

By Kimberly Reeves