The latest public education news from The Texas Tribune.
In this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor talk with politics reporter Jasper Scherer about education funding, a THC ban and the success of conservative priorities this year. Full Story
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The schools were closed last week after years of declining enrollment. The school communities said increased choices were to blame. Full Story
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Senate Bill 13 would require school boards or advisory councils to approve new books and review complaints. Critics worry the bill would lead to banning classic titles and create administrative logjams. Full Story
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Senate Bill 3070 would move the lottery game to Texas’ Department of Licensing and Regulation and includes new restrictions on how players can buy tickets. Full Story
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Senate Bill 12’s supporters say DEI programs use class time and public funds to promote political agendas. Full Story
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The House has approved Senate Bill 10 even though a similar Louisiana law was deemed unconstitutional. Supporters say Christianity is core to U.S. history. Full Story
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The House, which differs with senators on districts’ power to sue over their A-F ratings, must now decide whether to renegotiate or risk keeping STAAR by default. Full Story
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The legislation includes new pots of money for teacher raises and other school costs like insurance and transportation. It now heads to the House, where leaders say it will pass. Full Story
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The Texas Senate had previously proposed more severe consequences in the bill. Full Story
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A House vote showed broad support for the measure that would let districts set aside time for prayer or religious study. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers are poised to make it easier to suspend disruptive students. But some teachers and school psychologists say discipline alone won’t meet the mental health needs at the root of their behavior. Full Story
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The bill won bipartisan support despite efforts from multiple Democrats that would have also required students to learn about fascism and Nazism. Full Story
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The deal appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools, with money earmarked for teacher pay and overhead costs. Full Story
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The bill, titled the Universal School Choice Act, would provide a tax credit to match an amount donated to organizations that provide K-12 scholarships. Full Story
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The legislation would prevent schools from using materials that do not use the terms “Before Christ” and “Anno Domini.” Many historians have moved away from them to be more inclusive. Full Story
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ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found nearly three dozen school districts were missing required campaign finance reports online. Now lawmakers are pushing to impose steep penalties on local governments that fail to abide by the law. Full Story
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The proposal would heavily invest in teacher pay and special education. It includes a modest $55 increase to schools' base per-student funding, significantly lower than what the House had sought. Full Story
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Senators will hold a hearing Thursday on their counterproposal to the House's school funding bill. House Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the upper chamber for not moving faster to advance the legislation. Full Story
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A raft of social conservative priorities backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hang in the balance, including efforts to infuse more religion into public schools. Full Story
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Conservative lawmakers say DEI efforts are discriminatory and push liberal ideologies on children. Critics point to research showing a diverse teacher body helps students succeed academically. Full Story
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