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• School voucher bill gets initial approval in the Texas Senate, heads over to a more skeptical House

  by Brian Lopez Updated: Oct. 13, 2023

  The Senate also approved Senate Bill 2, which would infuse $5.2 billion to school districts to help them with teacher raises and rising costs. Gov. Greg Abbott said he would add those items to the special session’s agenda once lawmakers approve a voucher program. Full Story 

• Texas Senate unveils its priority school voucher bill

  by Brian Lopez Oct. 9, 2023

  The proposal would give families who exit the state’s public education system access to $8,000 of taxpayer money each year to pay for their children’s private schooling. Full Story 

• Special session on school vouchers begins with Republicans in disarray

  by Zach Despart, Patrick Svitek and Brian Lopez Oct. 9, 2023

  Gov. Greg Abbott needs a delicate coalition of Republicans to pass his top priority. But the House and Senate leaders aren’t getting along. Full Story 

• Vouchers return this special session — and school funding might be left out. Here’s what you need to know.

  by Brian Lopez, Yuriko Schumacher and Victoria Stavish Oct. 6, 2023

  Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda. Full Story 

• Support for Houston ISD’s Spanish speakers has dwindled under state-appointed leader, parents say

  by Brian Lopez Oct. 3, 2023

  For one reading class, Superintendent Mike Miles said instruction would focus on English, even if it meant risking state funding for dual-language programs. Parents say it goes further than that, adding that their kids are receiving no assistance in Spanish at all. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott says special lawmaking session will begin on Oct. 9, likely on school vouchers

  by Brian Lopez and William Melhado Sept. 29, 2023

  The session comes as a rift between the Texas House and the Senate grew following Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, raising questions about the chambers’ ability to compromise on education issues. The governor has threatened to call for more special sessions if lawmakers fail to pass a “school choice” proposal. Full Story 

• Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles says he needs four to five years to turn the district around

  by Brian Lopez Sept. 23, 2023

  Miles said he should be held accountable and be fired if the district doesn’t improve academically in the next two years. Full Story 

• Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson switches to Republican Party

  by Joshua Fechter and Brian Lopez Updated: Sept. 22, 2023

  Though the mayor’s position in Dallas is technically nonpartisan, Johnson joins Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker as one of two Republican mayors to lead a major Texas city. Full Story 

• Facing declining enrollment and charter school competition, San Antonio and Plano consider closing campuses

  by Brian Lopez Sept. 19, 2023

  School officials in San Antonio announced earlier this week that they are looking at closing about 20% of their campuses while Plano school officials are starting those discussions. Full Story 

• Texas Education Agency delays release of annual school ratings

  by Brian Lopez Sept. 12, 2023

  TEA said it needs to make adjustments to account for changes in students’ academic performance after the pandemic. The delay comes after several school districts sued to stop the agency from releasing school rankings produced under a new rating system. Full Story