Education is the bedrock of an informed democracy and the bridge to lifelong learning. To ensure that every Texan reaches their full potential, it's important that all families have access to high-quality education--regardless of their ZIP code. However, efforts to expand educational options for Texas families in the form of charter schools have been misguided. As a result, the state is now running two parallel education systems. The state passed legislation allowing charter schools in 1995, and the first 20 charters were approved in 1996. Though initially intended as an opportunity to broaden teachers' freedom to experiment in curriculum, instruction, and school structure, charters have grown over the past 25 years as publicly funded, privately-governed alternatives to traditional public schools. Studies show, however, that charter schools do not significantly improve students' academic performance, earnings, or create measurable competition among school options, as originally purported. Now as Texas leaders take a serious look at remodeling the public school finance system, it is important to evaluate how the state funds charter schools and their impact on funding for traditional public schools.