Education Commissioner Leaving at Year's End
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams informed Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday morning that he will step down from his position at end of the year, Williams' office confirmed. Full Story
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State Ups Passing Standards on Public School Exams
It will get harder for Texas public school students to pass standardized tests this year, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams announced Tuesday, but the state will ease into the tougher passing standards more slowly than originally planned. Full Story
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Study Finds Childhood Obesity Program Failed
A four-year, $37 million state program to improve physical education at high-poverty middle schools failed to reduce obesity rates, according to a study by the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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State to Ride Herd on Failing Schools
If school district leaders can’t fix failing schools, the state may strip their authority under a new law effective Sept. 1. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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New Truancy Law Poised to Put More Pressure on Schools, Parents
When the state's new truancy law takes effect Sept. 1, students will no longer potentially face criminal sanctions for skipping school. But there are new directives for public schools and the courts. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Analysis: Schools Are Changing, and Not the Way You Might Think
The public school population in Texas has grown dramatically, and in a way some might find surprising: Most of the growth has come in the numbers of economically disadvantaged students. Full Story
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Analysis: Texas Schools, by the Numbers
You can peek at the state’s near future in the latest numbers from the Texas Education Agency: 51.8 percent Hispanic, 29.4 percent Anglo, 12.7 percent African-American, 3.7 percent Asian. Full Story
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![A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012.]()
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Schools, Courts Worry About New Truancy Law
Juvenile justice advocates applauded when the Texas Legislature decided this year that repeated school truancy will no longer be a crime. But school and court officials worry they are losing tools that have actually worked at keeping kids in school. Full Story
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Pearson Loses Bulk of Texas Testing Contract
For the first time in three decades, a new company will develop and administer the state-required exams Texas students begin taking in the third grade. Full Story
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Senate Shapes Plan for Private Scholarships
In its quest for school choice legislation, the Senate is backing away from traditional vouchers and heading toward a plan that would use donations to fund scholarships for low-income students trying to get out of weak schools. Full Story
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Texas High School Graduation Rate Behind Only Iowa
Texas continues to outpace the national average in high school graduation rates, according to annually released federal data, state education officials announced Friday. Full Story
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High School Seniors Who Fail Exams Could Still Have Path to Graduation
The roughly 28,000 public high school seniors who still need to pass a state exam to get their diplomas this May could get a lifeline from Texas legislators. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick meets privately with Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, on the dais during a break in Senate proceedings Jan. 21, 2015.]()
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Williams: "Conflict of Visions" on Educator Evaluations
Education Commissioner Michael Williams said Wednesday that the state does not have the authority to satisfy federal officials’ desire for a more overarching system. Full Story
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State Will Close Three More Charter Schools
Three Texas charter schools will be shut down for failing to comply with the state education code or provisions in their charters, state officials said Thursday. Among their missteps? Failing to file with the IRS and not opening on time. Full Story
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Feds Tell Texas to Try Again on Teacher Evaluations
Rejecting a proposed Texas educator evaluation system, federal officials raised concerns about the lack of information tying standardized test results to measuring educator performance. The rejection puts the state's No Child Left Behind waiver in danger. Full Story
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Guarding State Control of Public Schools — With Money on the Line
Protecting Texas' oversight of school classrooms against federal regulation has been the most prominent feature of Gov. Rick Perry’s approach to education. Full Story
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New Math Standards a Hurdle for Some Students and Teachers in Texas
As new, more rigorous math standards hit Texas elementary and middle schools this year, school officials are reporting that they lack the resources to help teachers learn the new material. Full Story
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Texas Loses Bid for Federal Pre-K Funding
Texas will not receive a share of $250 million in federal funding marked to help states expand preschool programs, the U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday. Full Story
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Texas to Close 14 Charter School Operators
Texas will shut down 14 charter school operators that failed to meet heightened financial and academic performance rules this year, state education officials announced Tuesday. Full Story
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Against Orders, Charter Schools Stay Open
In June, the state ordered Honors Academy Charter District to close its campuses due to poor academic performance. But Honors' campuses remain open — and the district publicizes itself as accredited. Full Story
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