Under the state’s Permanent School Fund’s Bond Guarantee Program, schools get the best interest rate on bonds. That soon may be over if the federal government doesn’t 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
ACLU calls for civil rights investigations into two North Texas school districts over anti-transgender policies
Frisco ISD’s new bathroom policy and Keller ISD’s ban on books that reference gender fluidity violate federal rules prohibiting sex-based discrimination, the ACLU said.
Posted in
Politics
Some Republicans are optimistic about enacting school choice in next year’s session — but it might not be so easy
Advocates say discontent with public schools’ pandemic rules and teachings on race and gender identity have helped raise support for school choice to an all-time high.
Posted in
Public Education
More Texans turn to home schooling after the pandemic showed them what learning outside of schools could be like
Some new home-schoolers disagree with how race and sex are taught at schools. Others cite safety concerns after the Uvalde shooting and poor academic outcomes.
Posted in
Uvalde school shooting
Acting Uvalde police chief during Robb Elementary shooting resigns
Lt. Mariano Pargas was one of the nearly 400 law enforcement officers who responded to the shooting at Robb Elementary on May 24.
Posted in
Public Education
Despite GOP gains across the state, voters in the Austin-area suburb of Round Rock rejected conservative school board candidates
Slates of conservative candidates endorsed by the Republican Party of Texas failed to flip school boards in several suburban races across Texas, including in Round Rock and Wylie.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
Texas Republicans against “critical race theory” win seats on the State Board of Education, strengthening its GOP majority
The board is responsible for dictating what Texas’ 5.5 million students are required to learn in the state’s public schools.
Posted in
Uvalde school shooting
Panic buttons, automatic locks and bulletproof windows top the proposed safety rules after Uvalde shooting
These proposed requirements could take effect this school year after the Texas Education Agency takes public comment into consideration.
Posted in
Politics
Why all eyes are now on the often ignored Texas Board of Education races
All 15 seats of the State Board of Education are up for grabs in November, and one race in District 7 highlights how critical race theory has become a key issue.
Posted in
Politics
When Texas students campaigned for a more diverse history course, they got a lesson in politics
Students had been pushing for the State Board of Education to adopt a new, more inclusive social studies curriculum this year. Instead, the board delayed their scheduled update until at least 2025.