INSIDER
Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointee
Read full article: Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointeeTiffany Clark, who was elected to fill a vacant State Board of Education seat in January, said she would have voted against the curriculum.
State Board of Education signals support for Bible-infused curriculum
Read full article: State Board of Education signals support for Bible-infused curriculumCritics say the curriculum overemphasizes Christianity. The board is expected to officially vote on whether to approve the materials later this week.
How some Texas parents and historians say a new state curriculum glosses over slavery and racism
Read full article: How some Texas parents and historians say a new state curriculum glosses over slavery and racismEducation officials say the materials were designed to be age appropriate but critics argue they repeatedly omit key context and oversimplify history.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative priority
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative prioritySchool voucher supporters say they have the votes to get a bill across both the Texas Senate, led by Patrick, and the House, which has repeatedly blocked such proposals.
Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says
Read full article: Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott saysLast year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day.
Republicans maintain majority on the Texas State Board of Education
Read full article: Republicans maintain majority on the Texas State Board of EducationRepublicans Tom Maynard, Pam Little, Aaron Kinsey and Brandon Hall prevailed in contested races. Democrat Gustavo Reveles won in the District 1 race.
Hundreds illegally got Texas teacher licenses through cheating ring, Harris County prosecutors say
Read full article: Hundreds illegally got Texas teacher licenses through cheating ring, Harris County prosecutors sayFive people were charged in connection with the scheme. Investigators say aspiring teachers would pay for help cheating in the certification test.
Texas is slashing $607 million in Medicaid funding from program for students with disabilities
Read full article: Texas is slashing $607 million in Medicaid funding from program for students with disabilitiesSchool officials says the state decision to cut federal money likely will hurt their ability to recruit and retain critical staff for students with disabilities.
How a boom in East Texas high schoolers taking college classes is transforming Kilgore College
Read full article: How a boom in East Texas high schoolers taking college classes is transforming Kilgore CollegeHigh school students that are getting a jump on college through dual credit now make up the majority of students at one East Texas community college.
Five races for the Republican-dominated State Board of Education to watch this year
Read full article: Five races for the Republican-dominated State Board of Education to watch this yearRevising the social studies curriculum could be among the divisive issues the Texas State Board of Education tackles next year.
Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study says
Read full article: Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study saysDespite the group’s strong participation, Hispanic students graduate college at a lower rate than peers in the program, according to a report.
Houston ISD superintendent didn’t illegally funnel state money to out-of-state schools, TEA says
Read full article: Houston ISD superintendent didn’t illegally funnel state money to out-of-state schools, TEA saysThe Texas Education Agency found that checks mailed to Miles’ charter school network in Colorado were eventually deposited into the network’s Texas account.
Abortion, private school vouchers and legislative control are the key issues in Texas’ 2024 election
Read full article: Abortion, private school vouchers and legislative control are the key issues in Texas’ 2024 electionTexan voters will have significant influence in November, both within and outside the state. They will be electing a U.S. senator, 38 U.S. House members, 150 state House members, as well as various judges and local elected officials. Additionally, they will have influence over important questions.
How a school voucher supporter won in a Texas House district with almost no private schools
Read full article: How a school voucher supporter won in a Texas House district with almost no private schoolsGov. Greg Abbott said the primary showed Texans want vouchers. In House District 18, an ad blitz and immigration fears may have played a larger role.
A battered child care industry’s latest challenge? Competing for 4-year-olds.
Read full article: A battered child care industry’s latest challenge? Competing for 4-year-olds.A 2019 state law requiring schools to offer full-day pre-K is capturing child care’s most profitable customer base: 3- and 4-year-olds.
Latest effort to block school ratings cracks Texas districts’ once-united front
Read full article: Latest effort to block school ratings cracks Texas districts’ once-united frontDozens of districts sued Texas saying the ratings painted an unfair picture of their schools. Others voluntarily have released their own.
Dozens of Texas school districts press state to suspend new student data reporting system
Read full article: Dozens of Texas school districts press state to suspend new student data reporting systemThe superintendents said they haven’t received enough support from the state or time to fix errors the system generated.
Democrats hope anti-voucher campaign will help win back South Texas House seat
Read full article: Democrats hope anti-voucher campaign will help win back South Texas House seatThe first-term Republican defending her seat said a private school voucher program will help her community, especially students from low-income families.
Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their funding
Read full article: Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their fundingThe Texas Education Agency says there’s time to fix problems before officially reported data is used to determine how much money districts get.
Former schools police chief says he was not at fault in Uvalde shooting, asks judge to toss charges
Read full article: Former schools police chief says he was not at fault in Uvalde shooting, asks judge to toss chargesPete Arredondo’s lawyers tell the court that the shooter, not the police, was to blame for the school violence.
Texas schools are hiring more teachers without traditional training. They hope the state will pay to prepare them.
Read full article: Texas schools are hiring more teachers without traditional training. They hope the state will pay to prepare them.Schools are hiring instructors with different types of backgrounds to deal with critical staff shortages.
A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its libraries
Read full article: A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its librariesThe request came from a local pastor who is part of a group that trains people to “defend their freedom and liberty.” Other faith leaders have pushed back.
Federal judge in Texas expands ruling that blocks Biden administration protections of LGBTQ students
Read full article: Federal judge in Texas expands ruling that blocks Biden administration protections of LGBTQ studentsThe decision in the case brought by the Texas Attorney General preempts any future Title IX regulations that extend federal protections to LGBTQ students.
After six years of low scores for students learning English, Texas educators say it’s the test’s fault
Read full article: After six years of low scores for students learning English, Texas educators say it’s the test’s faultStudents’ scores in a test that gauges their English skills have been low since a redesign introduced computer scoring.
Judge blocks Texas from releasing this year’s school accountability ratings
Read full article: Judge blocks Texas from releasing this year’s school accountability ratingsThe ruling marks the fifth consecutive year Texas families have not received a full picture of their schools’ ratings, which are used to determine how they are performing.
After Uvalde city officials end battle over shooting records, victims’ families say other agencies need to follow suit
Read full article: After Uvalde city officials end battle over shooting records, victims’ families say other agencies need to follow suitThe city’s release ends a legal battle with news outlets, but other government agencies are withholding materials.
Texas’ youngest students are struggling with their learning, educators say
Read full article: Texas’ youngest students are struggling with their learning, educators sayA national study found young children are faring worse academically than their peers before the pandemic. The problem’s scope in Texas is unclear.
Rising costs and stagnant state funds pushed this West Texas school district to the financial brink
Read full article: Rising costs and stagnant state funds pushed this West Texas school district to the financial brinkThe Ector County school district boosted student learning but now faces financial uncertainty. It closed schools and cut costs to stay afloat, but it won’t slash teacher jobs.
Texas schools got billions in federal pandemic relief. It is coming to an end as the school year starts.
Read full article: Texas schools got billions in federal pandemic relief. It is coming to an end as the school year starts.Educators say they’ll struggle to keep the programs they created with those funds, highlighting their precarious situation without more state help.
Texas teachers stand behind Kamala Harris after years of feeling targeted, neglected by Republicans
Read full article: Texas teachers stand behind Kamala Harris after years of feeling targeted, neglected by RepublicansAt a gathering for teachers in Houston, educators saw Harris as a potential ally at a time when conservatives push for changes in Texas classrooms.
51 Texas school districts are not complying with state ban on hairstyle discrimination, ACLU says
Read full article: 51 Texas school districts are not complying with state ban on hairstyle discrimination, ACLU saysAt least one school district, Tolar ISD in North Texas, told the ACLU it would update its policies to comply with the CROWN Act.
Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separation
Read full article: Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separationSome secular groups and members of other faiths say the curriculum could give schools too much control over how children are taught religion.
State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculum
Read full article: State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculumThe proposal comes as part of a larger effort by officials in Texas and across the country to inject Christianity into public life.
Federal judge blocks Biden administration’s Title IX guidelines to protect LGBTQ+ students
Read full article: Federal judge blocks Biden administration’s Title IX guidelines to protect LGBTQ+ studentsJudge Reed O’Connor said the Biden administration didn’t have the authority to make the changes, which would expand anti-discrimination protections.
Some Texas school officials are skeptical that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promise
Read full article: Some Texas school officials are skeptical that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promiseProposed lesson plans could improve student performance and help teachers, Texas education officials say. Not all district leaders and education advocates are convinced.
Here’s how school vouchers, Paxton impeachment affected the Texas GOP primaries
Read full article: Here’s how school vouchers, Paxton impeachment affected the Texas GOP primariesGov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton crusaded against House Republicans who voted against school vouchers and in favor of impeachment, respectively.
Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchers
Read full article: Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchersSix of eight GOP incumbents lost their races. Gov. Greg Abbott declared he “now has enough votes to pass school choice.”
Families of Uvalde shooting victims sue Texas DPS officers for waiting to confront gunman
Read full article: Families of Uvalde shooting victims sue Texas DPS officers for waiting to confront gunmanIn a separate settlement, the city of Uvalde will pay $2 million to the families, create a permanent memorial to the victims and provide enhanced training for police officers.
Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of state
Read full article: Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of stateA state lawmaker and Houston residents urge the Texas Education Agency to investigate whether the state-appointed superintendent improperly sent public funds to out-of-state charter schools.
Feds investigate another Texas school district for its gender identity mandate
Read full article: Feds investigate another Texas school district for its gender identity mandateKaty ISD’s board voted this past fall to require staff to notify parents if their child wants to use a different pronoun or identifies as a different gender.
Here’s what the law says about protesting on Texas college campuses
Read full article: Here’s what the law says about protesting on Texas college campusesStudents can generally peacefully protest, regardless of their viewpoint, but colleges and authorities may enforce some restrictions and criminal laws to maintain peace and order.
Some South Texas school employees could be barred from holding elected office after fraud investigation
Read full article: Some South Texas school employees could be barred from holding elected office after fraud investigationA state-appointed board of managers overseeing the La Joya Independent School District is set to consider the policy this week.
Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR tests
Read full article: Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR testsThe state will save more than $15 million by using technology similar to ChatGPT to give initial scores, reducing the number of human graders needed. The decision caught some educators by surprise.
Two Denton school district principals indicted on charges of illegal electioneering
Read full article: Two Denton school district principals indicted on charges of illegal electioneeringA grand jury indicted the principals for allegedly using their school emails to encourage staff to vote for certain candidates in the March primary.
A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program.
Read full article: A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program.Many independent school districts, including the largest ones, do not allow chaplains to serve as counselors, which is now allowed under a new Texas law.
To close or stay open? Ahead of the eclipse, Texas schools weighed logistical hurdles versus learning opportunities
Read full article: To close or stay open? Ahead of the eclipse, Texas schools weighed logistical hurdles versus learning opportunitiesSome districts will close for the day expecting traffic jams and busy city services. Others will stay open for parents who can’t find child care.
State Board of Education again delays discussion on whether to approve new Native studies course
Read full article: State Board of Education again delays discussion on whether to approve new Native studies courseThe next opportunity for the board to review the course will not happen until its meeting in June.
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is two House votes away from passing school vouchers
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is two House votes away from passing school vouchersAbbott called on supporters to push through the primary runoffs to deliver the final pro-voucher members needed to pass his legislation, plus some padding.
Veteran State Board of Education member loses her seat, two other Republican incumbents face runoffs
Read full article: Veteran State Board of Education member loses her seat, two other Republican incumbents face runoffsThe results of Tuesday’s primary elections could foreshadow a further push to the right for the body that sets the state's educational standards.
Texas places state’s largest charter school network under conservatorship
Read full article: Texas places state’s largest charter school network under conservatorshipThe state had been investigating IDEA Public Schools since 2021 and raised questions on its spending on things like a luxury driver and private jet.
Judge says Texas school district can punish Black student for length of his hairstyle
Read full article: Judge says Texas school district can punish Black student for length of his hairstyleAfter a short trial, a Texas judge ruled that Barbers Hill school officials are not violating a new state law prohibiting hair discrimination.
Texas passes on $450 million summer lunch program for low-income families
Read full article: Texas passes on $450 million summer lunch program for low-income familiesThe USDA estimates the families of 3.8 million children could have received $120 per child to cover summer lunches if the state participated in the new $2.5 billion program launching this summer. Texas is one of 15 states opting out.
A Texas school has punished a Black student over his hairstyle for months. Neither side is backing down.
Read full article: A Texas school has punished a Black student over his hairstyle for months. Neither side is backing down.In a test of Texas’ new CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles, a judge ruled that the Barbers Hill school district can enforce a ban on certain male hairstyles.
After 7 years of state oversight, Texas’ takeover of Marlin ISD starts winding down
Read full article: After 7 years of state oversight, Texas’ takeover of Marlin ISD starts winding downThe transition at the Waco-area school district will shed light on how a democratically elected school board resumes control after a takeover.
Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.
Read full article: Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.Policy experts worry students will fall short of the state's future workforce needs. Educators hope the new curriculum will help them.
Border security overpowers school vouchers and Paxton impeachment in Republican Texas House primaries
Read full article: Border security overpowers school vouchers and Paxton impeachment in Republican Texas House primariesDespite all the hubbub about vouchers and the attorney general’s impeachment, it’s still about the border.
Despite grand jury investigation, officers may not face charges in Uvalde shooting response
Read full article: Despite grand jury investigation, officers may not face charges in Uvalde shooting responseLocal prosecutor Christina Mitchell last month convened a grand jury to investigate police officers’ delay in confronting the gunman at Robb Elementary School.
Feds asked to overhaul school discipline at North Texas school district after students jailed
Read full article: Feds asked to overhaul school discipline at North Texas school district after students jailedThe complaint claims Bonham ISD and a city court discriminated against both Black students and disabled students by creating a hostile environment at school. The groups also filed a separate complaint against Corpus Christi ISD with the Texas Education Agency.
From couch surfing to sleeping in a car: What one teen’s story tells us about homelessness in rural Texas
Read full article: From couch surfing to sleeping in a car: What one teen’s story tells us about homelessness in rural TexasGeorgia DeVries, an East Texas 17-year-old, shared her experience living in a car for one month last year on TikTok.
Texas Education Agency takes over La Joya ISD after investigating school board for fraud and conflicts of interest
Read full article: Texas Education Agency takes over La Joya ISD after investigating school board for fraud and conflicts of interestThe TEA appointed a “board of managers” to replace the district’s school board trustees and named a new superintendent.
Texas Republicans who defied Gov. Greg Abbott on school vouchers face mounting primary attacks
Read full article: Texas Republicans who defied Gov. Greg Abbott on school vouchers face mounting primary attacksAs promised, the governor is going after members of his own party after some of them tanked his top legislative priority.
An East Texas school district’s flagpole raises questions about America’s separation of church and state
Read full article: An East Texas school district’s flagpole raises questions about America’s separation of church and stateThe LaPoynor school district frequently flies a Christian flag, but may not be running afoul of the Constitution because it says students are choosing to raise it.
Texas’ new school safety law mostly addresses the Justice Department’s advice. But funding fixes is still an issue.
Read full article: Texas’ new school safety law mostly addresses the Justice Department’s advice. But funding fixes is still an issue.Lawmakers passed House Bill 3 last year to address some of the issues that led to the botched police response during the Uvalde school shooting.
Uvalde victims’ families get an official acknowledgement of botched shooting response — but some want criminal charges
Read full article: Uvalde victims’ families get an official acknowledgement of botched shooting response — but some want criminal chargesSome relatives of the 21 people killed in Texas’ deadliest school shooting are demanding criminal charges after federal officials say delayed police response cost lives.
Appeals court blocks Texas from enforcing book rating law
Read full article: Appeals court blocks Texas from enforcing book rating lawPlaintiffs claimed that the 2023 law, which required book vendors to rate the explicitness of sexual references in materials sold to schools, was unconstitutionally broad.
Texas’ school ratings remain in limbo as the state and school districts fight over how strict the grading should be
Read full article: Texas’ school ratings remain in limbo as the state and school districts fight over how strict the grading should beDozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency last fall, claiming revisions to the state’s accountability system would hurt them.
Vouchers, border security, abortion: The issues you heard about in 2023 will continue to be hotly debated in 2024
Read full article: Vouchers, border security, abortion: The issues you heard about in 2023 will continue to be hotly debated in 2024After nearly a year’s worth of legislative sessions, several issues are poised to dominate Texas politics this year. Here’s a look at how things ended on several fronts last year — and where they’re headed next.
Diversity offices on college campuses will soon be illegal in Texas, as 30 new laws go into effect
Read full article: Diversity offices on college campuses will soon be illegal in Texas, as 30 new laws go into effectOther new laws make changes to the tax code, criminal justice and health care systems.
Texans grapple with numerous challenges, yet many are actively seeking solutions
Read full article: Texans grapple with numerous challenges, yet many are actively seeking solutionsAcross the state, people are looking for ways to make Texas a better place to live as they tackle hunger, rural “brain drain,” health care obstacles and other impediments.
Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for help
Read full article: Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for helpPublic schools got little help from lawmakers this year to address the state’s chronic teacher shortage, so they’ve turned to other creative solutions — like leaning on cultural exchange programs to recruit international teachers.
A Texas high school is piloting the state’s first-ever Asian American studies course. Could politics stand in its way?
Read full article: A Texas high school is piloting the state’s first-ever Asian American studies course. Could politics stand in its way?The course highlights Asian Americans’ contributions in U.S. history. It also seeks to offer an honest look at the mistreatment, like the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Texas’ debate over school chaplains escalates school board culture wars
Read full article: Texas’ debate over school chaplains escalates school board culture warsA new law lets schools use safety funds to pay for unlicensed chaplains working in mental health roles. Supporters say it helps address student mental health while critics blast it as a Christian nationalist attempt to convert children to a specific form of faith.
Texas superintendents say lack of school safety funding may lead to budget cuts
Read full article: Texas superintendents say lack of school safety funding may lead to budget cutsThe fourth special legislative session this year ended without any increased funding for school safety — even though public schools have complained for months they don’t have enough money to meet new safety mandates approved this year.
Abbott mum on another special session as he charges into voucher opponents’ primary battles
Read full article: Abbott mum on another special session as he charges into voucher opponents’ primary battlesAbbott is promising to continue the fight for “school choice” but staying mum on whether that means he will call another special session as he has previously threatened.
After school voucher bill falls apart, supporters and opponents get ready for future fights
Read full article: After school voucher bill falls apart, supporters and opponents get ready for future fightsThe Texas House’s vote to block education savings accounts disappointed voucher advocates and likely spelled doom for additional public school funding. Both bands say they’ll keep pushing for their priorities during next year’s primary elections and the 2025 legislative session.
Texas Senate passes its own school safety funding bill, but little time remains to get it across the finish line
Read full article: Texas Senate passes its own school safety funding bill, but little time remains to get it across the finish lineSenate Bill 5 would send an extra $800 million to public schools for security upgrades over the next two years. But the measure is at risk of becoming the latest casualty of the rift between the Texas House and Senate.
Federal appeals court questions Texas’ new school library regulations
Read full article: Federal appeals court questions Texas’ new school library regulationsHouse Bill 900 seeks to rid school libraries of inappropriate books by requiring book vendors to rate materials. A legal challenge says the law is too vague and broad.
Greg Abbott begins offensive against school voucher opponents, endorsing first House primary challenger
Read full article: Greg Abbott begins offensive against school voucher opponents, endorsing first House primary challengerAbbott on Tuesday backed Hillary Hickland, an activist mother who is running against Rep. Hugh Shine, R-Temple.
School voucher fallout leaves Texas Legislature with no clear sense on next steps
Read full article: School voucher fallout leaves Texas Legislature with no clear sense on next stepsVouchers were left without a clear path forward after a decisive vote Friday. Gov. Greg Abbott, who had threatened lawmakers with more special sessions to pass the proposal, seems to have turned his attention to punishing voucher opponents in next year’s primary elections.
An effort to prepare West Texas students to work in the oil and gas industry is expanding
Read full article: An effort to prepare West Texas students to work in the oil and gas industry is expandingThe expansion, which will start with a smaller pilot in four high schools between Texas and New Mexico, is being paid for by the Permian Strategic Partnership, a group funded by major energy producers.
Texas school board launches investigation into how a trans student was stripped of his role in musical
Read full article: Texas school board launches investigation into how a trans student was stripped of his role in musicalThe Sherman school board also temporarily ended the superintendent oversight of its fine arts programs pending the results of the investigation.
Texas House cuts school vouchers out of the education bill. See how lawmakers voted on the measure.
Read full article: Texas House cuts school vouchers out of the education bill. See how lawmakers voted on the measure.Here’s how each representative voted on an amendment that removed school vouchers from the education bill on Friday.
Texas board rejects many science textbooks over climate change messaging
Read full article: Texas board rejects many science textbooks over climate change messagingThe Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education this week rejected most of the proposed textbooks that include climate science for eighth grade students. Five of 12 were approved.
“Our public school system is our town”: Why this rural Republican is voting against school vouchers
Read full article: “Our public school system is our town”: Why this rural Republican is voting against school vouchersDespite intense political pressure, Republican Rep. Gary VanDeaver said he won’t support a bill that includes school vouchers. Rural Republicans like VanDeaver have long opposed school vouchers because of the unique role public schools they play in their communities.
Texas House votes to remove school vouchers from massive education bill
Read full article: Texas House votes to remove school vouchers from massive education billThe outcome was an embarrassment to Gov. Greg Abbott, who spent seven months lobbying two dozen Republicans who signaled opposition to vouchers in April.
After controversy, Texas school board says transgender student can sing in school musical
Read full article: After controversy, Texas school board says transgender student can sing in school musicalAfter Max Hightower scored a role in the seminal American musical, administrators changed their policy on performers’ gender. After backlash, the school board directed the school to produce the original version “Oklahoma!” — not a youth version that cut Hightower’s solo.