The judge said the governor’s order impedes children with disabilities from the benefits of public schools’ programs, services and activities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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
North Texas principal resigns to end fight over whether he was teaching “critical race theory”
James Whitfield, the first Black principal at mostly white Colleyville Heritage High School, chose to resign but remain on paid administrative leave until 2023 in a settlement with the school district.
Posted in
Politics
Texas lawmaker keeping mum on inquiry into what books students can access as school districts grapple with how to respond
Critics say state Rep. Matt Krause’s inquiry targets books about women, people of color and LGBTQ people. The lawmaker says providing specifics about his inquiry “could compromise a potential investigation.”
Posted in
Health care
FDA panel recommends approval of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5-11. Here’s what that means for Texans.
The move opens the door to emergency use approval by the FDA. In Texas, about 2.9 million children would be newly eligible if that happens.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas House committee to investigate school districts’ books on race and sexuality
State Rep. Matt Krause, a candidate for state attorney general, asked school superintendents to confirm whether any books on a list of 850 titles are in their libraries and classrooms.
Posted in
Public Education
The law that prompted a school administrator to call for an “opposing” perspective on the Holocaust is causing confusion across Texas
Lawmakers say schools are misinterpreting a new measure designed to keep critical race theory out of public schools.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas struggled to teach students learning English before COVID-19. The pandemic made it worse.
Since 2008, the number of Texas students learning English as a second language who take longer than five years to become proficient is growing.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Justice Department argues Texas ban on school mask mandates violates disabled students’ rights
Plaintiffs say the governor’s order denies children with disabilities, who are at a high risk of illness and death from the coronavirus, access to public education.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas’ ban on school mask mandates draws federal investigation for possibly violating the rights of students with disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education announced the inquiry days after the Texas Education Agency quietly updated its guidance to say school districts can’t require masks.
Posted in
Demographics
How a Black high school principal was swept into a “critical race theory” maelstrom in a mostly white Texas suburb
James Whitfield was put on paid leave about a month after being accused of teaching critical race theory. His future could soon be decided after an evidentiary hearing where he can argue his case to the school board.