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.
Texas Education Agency
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The 2021 Texas Tribune Festival
Watch U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona talk about the effects of the pandemic and more at The Texas Tribune Festival
Cardona spoke about how students, teachers, schools and districts have fared during the pandemic — and what happens now.
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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.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas lawmakers send Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that funds virtual learning, but could leave out many students of color
The bill would pay for virtual learning until September 2023, but won’t fund it for students who have failed their STAAR exams.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas is one step closer to funding virtual learning, but could leave out many students of color
The bill, which would provide funding through September 2023, will head back to the Senate before reaching Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
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Coronavirus in Texas
More Texas students tested positive for COVID-19 last week than at any time last school year
There have been 20,256 reported cases among students across the state since the school year began.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas says schools now must notify families of positive COVID-19 cases in classrooms
This is a reversal of the Texas Education Agency’s previous guidance, which didn’t explicitly require school districts to notify parents of a close contact with the virus.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Joe Biden takes aim at states blocking mask mandates, setting Gov. Greg Abbott up for showdown with feds
Biden said he will use the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights enforcement authority to deter states from blocking mask mandates in classrooms.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Across Texas, frantic parents search for options to keep kids safe in school
For the second straight year, schools must worry about keeping their staff and their children safe and ensure that they’re providing the best possible education during a pandemic that has killed more than 50,000 Texans.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott’s order banning mask mandates in Texas schools faces lawsuit, defiance by big-city districts
Dallas ISD and Austin ISD announced Monday they will require masking, while Houston ISD will vote on a mandate this week. A nonprofit group has also sued to block Abbott’s order.
