Texas students’ math scores saw a sharp decline during pandemic
State math scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress dipped significantly between 2019 and 2022, but reading scores for fourth and eighth graders held steady. Full Story
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![Plexiglass and six feet of distance between each desk keep students socially distant in Abigail Boyett's third grade classroom.]()
Credit: Alejandra Casas for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Supreme Court weighs whether to allow state’s education agency to oust Houston school board
Among other issues, the court will consider whether a law that updated the education code last year has any bearing on TEA Commissioner Mike Morath’s attempt to replace HISD’s board members over low academic scores. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath testifies before the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety at the state capitol in Austin on June 23, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
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. Full Story
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![Round Rock ISD student Ayaan Moledina, 13, stands outside of Canyon Vista middle school. Moledina testified for more Asian American inclusion and accurate representation of Muslim Americans. Sept. 14, 2022.]()
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Politics and pandemic are driving Texas teachers to consider quitting, survey finds
An online survey of 1,291 teachers by the Charles Butt Foundation shows more teacher dissatisfaction as Texas school districts scramble to attract talent. Full Story
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![At the Advanced Learning Academy at Euclid in San Antonio, second grade students read while their teacher works individually with students. (Starting bottom, then moving clockwise) Samantha Vandervort , Gabriel Lopez, Saiki Rosas, Kyle Perez (in chair) John Schweers (in chair), Tristan Poujol and Matthew Sanchez. Bexar County's school districts are among the most segregated in the state, with boundary lines historically drawn to consolidate resources. San Antonio ISD is working to create more socioeconomic and racial diversity through public school choice measures.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
High-poverty schools struggle to earn Texas’ highest rating. Some in the Rio Grande Valley break that trend.
The Texas Education Agency has dismissed the notion that the accountability ratings are a poverty rating. As evidence, they point to districts like those in the Rio Grande Valley, which have achieved high marks while serving a high number of economically disadvantaged students. Full Story
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![A student follows along to a lesson about suffixes in English Language Arts Class on Dec. 3, 2020, at Perez Elementary School in Brownsville.]()
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Conservative backlash pushes Texas social studies curriculum review to 2025
The board was initially supposed to update the social studies curriculum by the end of this year. Full Story
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How a little-known group convinced the Texas State Board of Education to reject lesson plans on consent
A Newsy investigation reveals a push by organized groups to stop schools from teaching skills that advocates say are critical to preventing sexual assault. Full Story
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![High school students walk to their next class after the bell rings at Elsik Ninth Grade Center in Houston on March 28, 2018.]()
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Texas school ratings show improvement compared to 2019, but those in poorer neighborhoods still lag
This year’s TEA ratings were done differently than in previous years. Instead of the usual A-F ratings, which were last given in 2019, the agency gave only A-C ratings. Districts and schools that would have received a D or F instead received a “Not Rated” label this year. Full Story
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![Jessica Lemmer went over a fraction problem with her third grade math class Jan. 14, 2018 at Edward Titche Elementary School in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas.]()
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After the Robb Elementary shooting, some Uvalde parents are choosing private or online education
Following a state report showing that almost 400 law enforcement officers showed up at the school on May 24, some Uvalde parents are doubtful over whether their kids will be safe in the district. Full Story
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![Brianna Gonzales and her two sons, Javier, 10, and Emilio, 5, stand in the front yard of their home in Uvalde on Aug. 10, 2022. Gonzales has decided to send both of her sons back to schools in the Uvalde district.]()
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It’s not just COVID-19: Why Texas faces a teacher shortage
Texas schools have long had too few teachers. The pandemic made the situation worse — but issues like low pay, poor benefits and polarizing statewide politics all have an impact, too. Full Story
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![Gordon Mock stands outside of Thompson Elementary School on July 19, 2022, in Houston.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texas STAAR results improve in math and reading after pandemic dips
There had been fear that after another school year of COVID-19 disruptions, scores would not improve. Full Story
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![An empty classroom at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Locks on 340,000 exterior school doors across Texas will be checked as part of Uvalde shooting response
Texas has more than 1,200 school districts, but the education commissioner promised plans for the review will be completed this summer. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath speaks to the State Board of Education members during a meeting in Austin on Jan. 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Texas will resume grading public schools based on students’ STAAR test results
For the first time since the pandemic, Texas schools will again be rated based on standardized tests. But for one year only, schools that receive a D or F will get a “not rated” label. Full Story
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![Students work at laptops on their desks at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
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. Full Story
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![Fifth graders at Jacob’s Well Elementary School in Wimberley lineup at the door as they prepare to walk back to their classroom from the science lab on September 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
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. Full Story
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![Students sit for a lesson from the librarian at Blanco Vista Elementary in San Marcos on Nov. 4, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
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. Full Story
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![Teacher Melissa Perry reads to her fifth grade class at Jacob’s Well Elementary School in Wimberley on September 4, 2020.]()
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In defiance of Attorney General Ken Paxton, Austin ISD’s Pride Week marches on
Paxton equated the week of LGBTQ-inclusive activities with sex education in a letter to the district. Austin ISD says it’s about acceptance. Full Story
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![Joaquin Becerra Tharps, 2, plays with bubbles at the AISD "Pride Out!" Party in the Park event at Eastside Early College High School in Austin on Saturday, Mar. 26, 2022.]()
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Explore Texas public schools’ college readiness, demographics and teacher salaries
Use our database to learn about Texas public school districts and campuses, including hundreds of charter schools and alternative campuses. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the state waived accountability ratings for the 2020-21 school year. Full Story
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![Students work at their desks at Blanco Vista Elementary School in San Marcos on Aug. 23, 2021.]()
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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. Full Story
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![Kara Huesser, substitute teacher, helps a student at Buda Elementary School in Hays CISD on Jan. 18, 2022.]()
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Texas schools struggle to stay open as teachers and bus drivers call in sick with COVID-19
School district leaders are desperately trying to fill vacant roles to stay open and some say they have no choice but to close. Full Story
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![Teachers guide students outside of Linder Elementary School in Austin on the first day of classes after the winter break on Jan. 5, 2022.]()
Credit: Miranda Lipton for The Texas Tribune
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