The State Board of Education must still approve use of the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, which was dropped by two states that had adopted it.
Brian Lopez
Brian Lopez was The Texas Tribune's public education reporter from 2021 until 2024. He covered how policy and politics affect Texas’ K-12 public education system and the nearly 5.5 million kids enrolled in public schools. Previously, he was the Tarrant County reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Brian is a New York native but moved to Texas after high school. He graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Posted in
Public Education
Facing a teacher shortage, Texas considers a more rigorous teacher certification exam
Two states have dropped the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, and three others passed on it or want it gone.
Posted in
Public Education
Amid a teacher shortage, some Texas educators are losing their licenses for quitting during the school year
The policy sidelines educators, often for two school years, at a time when districts are already struggling to keep teachers in the classrooms.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Education Agency’s new school library standards push for more scrutiny and parental input
School districts are not required to adopt the agency’s recommendations but can use them as guidance as they develop new procedures or alter their policies for selecting or removing library books.
Posted in
LGBTQ+ Texans
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants Texas version of Florida law that critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”
The Florida law prohibits teachers from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity to kids below the fourth grade.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas teachers say they’re pushed to the brink by law requiring them to spend dozens of hours unpaid in training
K-3 teachers in Texas have until 2023 to complete a 60-hour Reading Academies course to keep the job. It’s taking some 120 hours on their own time to finish.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas schools won’t lose funding for attendance drops during the pandemic
In Texas, schools are funded based on the number of students enrolled and the daily attendance on campus.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
After the omicron surge in early 2022, COVID-19 cases declined in Texas schools
Student and staff COVID-19 cases declined after districts reported their highest levels in January since the pandemic began. But the data is incomplete and likely an undercount.
Posted in
Politics
Texas’ traditionally sleepy school board races are suddenly attracting attention — and money
As conservative parents become more frustrated with how school boards handled the pandemic, once-ignored school board elections are becoming better funded.
Posted in
Public Education
Gov. Greg Abbott wants task force to examine state teacher shortage
Teaching demands during the pandemic have exacerbated the nation’s teacher shortage. Abbott wants a task force to investigate.