If the 2012 primaries are any guide, the plaintiffs’ bar is becoming less shy about investing in the Republican side of the ballot — and Republican candidates are not being bashful about accepting the money.

Despite losses for moderate Republican candidates in several open seats — and the ousting of three incumbents — the ideological control of the State Board of Education won't be much different after this election cycle.

Two influential incumbents on the State Board of Education — who are often at odds with each other — are both facing primary challenges that could result in a power shift on the fractious board. 

State Rep. Marva Beck, R-Centerville, faces a stiff GOP primary challenge in her redrawn East Texas district from Trent Ashby, the president of the school board in Lufkin.

State Rep. James White said the allegation that he left his job as a teacher after repeated complaints of inappropriate sexual discussions in class is "malicious, untrue gossip."

Gene Powell, chairman of the UT System's board of regents, has drawn lots of attention. The latest commotion surrounds a report — which he denies — that he asked the chancellor to recommend the firing of UT-Austin's president.

Texas Education Agency chief Robert Scott’s resignation Tuesday didn't come as a huge surprise to the education community. But that doesn't mean speculation about his replacement — and the future of the agency — won't run rampant.

The Republican primary race in the newly drawn HD-19 between state Reps. James White and Mike Hamilton has the markings of a battle-by-proxy between state leaders who represent different factions of the Republican Party.

State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, is launching a website to try to kickstart discussion on what will surely be a hot topic in the next legislative session: school accountability.

Education Commissioner Robert Scott's successor will have his or her hands full. The job requires a delicate balancing act in regard to state officials and school administrators. So who could get Gov. Rick Perry's nod for the post?

Ward Farnsworth, an associate dean at Boston University School of Law, will take over as dean of the University of Texas School of Law on June 1.

During the 2011 legislative session, we compiled a salary database of all the state’s highest-paid school administrators: superintendents. After a year and a $5.4 billion reduction in state funding to public education, we are doing it again.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott is leaving the post Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to in 2007. 

Plagued by financial and academic troubles, Wilmer-Hutchins ISD was closed six years ago. Now, the area appears to be on the verge of academic transformation, with three new Dallas ISD campuses.

Premont ISD in South Texas has made drastic moves to improve its finances — including cutting high school sports. But critics fault the state's accountability and school finance systems, which they say punish districts that serve largely low-income populations.