The Texas Senate Education Committee passed a bill that would create a “private school choice” program to subsidize private school tuition for kids with special needs, and a bill to study the school finance system.
school finance
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Public Education
Abbott adds school finance, retired teacher benefits to special session
In what seems to be an overture to the House, Gov. Greg Abbott added two new education-related issues to his special session call Thursday: school finance reform and increased benefits for retired teachers.
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Public Education
Texas teachers voice opposition to education-heavy special session
The day before the start of this summer’s special legislative session, educator groups rallied at the Texas Capitol, demanding more state resources and fewer unfunded mandates.
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Public Education
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes millions for teacher bonuses and retirement
Days before the special session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rolled out a specific plan to give retired and long-term teachers up to $1,000 in additional bonuses, using money from the Texas Lottery over the long-term.
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Public Education
Analysis: The political play behind Gov. Abbott’s call for $1,000 teacher pay raises
Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session agenda will include a call for a $1,000 pay raise for teachers. But he’s not offering state money to pay for it — and he’s not necessarily talking about giving every public school teacher a $1,000 check, either.
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Public Education
House education leaders won’t budge on school finance, private school choice
Rep. Dan Huberty, chair of the House Public Education Committee, said he plans to file a bill during the special session to reform school finance — and to continue to reject “private school choice.”
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Public Education
Straus needles Texas Senate on public education funding, “bathroom bill”
Speaking to hundreds of educators ahead of a special session packed with education bills, House Speaker Joe Straus chastised the Senate for underfunding school finance reform.
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Public Education
Texas school districts cut costs to avoid closure as state funding cuts loom
Superintendents in hundreds of Texas school districts rely on a pot of state funds that expires in September. Without drastic cost-saving measures, some districts are worried they may have to shut down.
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Public Education
School finance legislation is pronounced dead
Senate Education Chairman Larry Taylor on Wednesday afternoon said that he would not appoint conferees to negotiate with the House on a proposed school finance overhaul. “That deal is dead,” he said.
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Public Education
Texas Senate puts voucher-like program in school finance bill
The Texas Senate voted to approve a bill that would simplify funding formulas for public schools and let parents use state money to send their kids with disabilities to private schools or pay for homeschooling.
