After six years of low scores for students learning English, Texas educators say it’s the test’s fault
Students’ scores in a test that gauges their English skills have been low since a redesign introduced computer scoring. Full Story
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![The library at West Avenue Elementary in Waco on April 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Greta Díaz González Vázquez for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Education Agency to release schools’ 2023 performance ratings after court ruling
Texas families have not received a full picture of their schools’ ratings since 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and lawsuits blocking their release. Full Story
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![Lorenzo G Alarcon Elementary School received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to create a calming and quiet room with the school counselor in San Elizario, Texas on July 23, 2024.]()
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Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separation
Some secular groups and members of other faiths say the curriculum could give schools too much control over how children are taught religion. Full Story
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![A monument to the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Capitol in Austin on June 24, 2024.]()
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Did FAFSA delays impact your decisions about college or housing? Share your story with us
The delayed rollout of the new FAFSA caused many students to experience setbacks in receiving financial aid packages. If these delays impacted your college choices, The Texas Tribune wants to hear your story. Full Story
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![A student studies in Rayzor Hall on the campus of Rice University in Houston on Sept. 26, 2023.]()
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Feds investigate another Texas school district for its gender identity mandate
Katy ISD’s board voted this past fall to require staff to notify parents if their child wants to use a different pronoun or identifies as a different gender. Full Story
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![Free pronoun buttons at the AISD "Pride Out!" Party in the Park event at Eastside Early College High School in Austin on Saturday, Mar. 26, 2022. There were fill-in-the-blank and other options not pictured as well.]()
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Here’s how to vote in Texas’ May 28 runoff elections
The last day to register to vote is April 29. Early voting runs from May 20-24. Full Story
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![Voting stickers for 2024 primary election voter guide.]()
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A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program.
Many independent school districts, including the largest ones, do not allow chaplains to serve as counselors, which is now allowed under a new Texas law. Full Story
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![Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom as they wait for a teacher between periods Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
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After 7 years of state oversight, Texas’ takeover of Marlin ISD starts winding down
The transition at the Waco-area school district will shed light on how a democratically elected school board resumes control after a takeover. Full Story
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![Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, far right, answers questions from State Board of Education members during a hearing Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 at the William B Travis Building in Austin.]()
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Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.
Policy experts worry students will fall short of the state's future workforce needs. Educators hope the new curriculum will help them. Full Story
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![Third grade teacher Eran McGowan helps students work through math problems at the Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy in Dallas, Texas on Feb. 5, 2024.]()
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Texas Education Agency takes over La Joya ISD after investigating school board for fraud and conflicts of interest
The TEA appointed a “board of managers” to replace the district’s school board trustees and named a new superintendent. Full Story
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![The Texas Education Agency has replaced the entire school board of La Joya Independent School District.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Grand jury called to investigate flawed police response to Uvalde shooting
Twelve jurors selected Friday will review law enforcement’s delayed response during Texas’ deadliest school shooting and recommend possible criminal charges. Full Story
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![District Attorney for the 38th Judicial District of Texas (Uvalde & Real Counties) Christina Mitchell Busbee at a press conference at the Uvalde High School on May 27, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
Twenty months after deadly Uvalde school shooting, multiple investigations have yet to be released
The U.S. Department of Justice just released its investigation into law enforcement’s response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School. But at least three other investigations have not yet been released to the public. Full Story
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![Police hold a press conference on Thursday, May 26, 2022 in Uvalde, TX. Twenty one people were killed after a gunman after a high school student opened fire inside Robb Elementary School on Tuesday where two teachers and 19 students were killed. (Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune)]()
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Texas’ school ratings remain in limbo as the state and school districts fight over how strict the grading should be
Dozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency last fall, claiming revisions to the state’s accountability system would hurt them. Full Story
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![STAAR themed decorations adorn the hallways of Wharton Elementary School in Wharton on April 21, 2018.]()
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Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for help
Public schools got little help from lawmakers this year to address the state’s chronic teacher shortage, so they’ve turned to other creative solutions — like leaning on cultural exchange programs to recruit international teachers. Full Story
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![Ilona Cabudsan in front of Aldine ISD's Hambrick Middle School, in Houston, on Dec. 18, 2023.]()
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University of Austin President Pano Kanelos pitches Texas’ newest university as a place dedicated to free inquiry
UATX was launched by a group of higher education critics, including Kanelos, who believe universities have abandoned their commitment to open inquiry, free speech and civil discourse. Full Story
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Jill Dutton, Brent Money advance to runoff for Texas House special election
Five Republicans and one Democrat were on the ballot for the ruby-red seat, but most of the drama has focused on two GOP candidates, Dutton and Money. Full Story
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![Republicans Jill Dutton and Brent Money are running in a special election for state House District 2 seat, empty since former state Rep. Brian Slaton, R-Royse City, was expelled from the House.]()
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Proposition 9 would increase pensions for retired teachers and public school employees
If approved by voters on Nov. 7, the proposal would allocate $3.3 billion to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, increasing pensions between 2% and 6%. Full Story
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![Retired educator Joe Ramirez sits at a desk surrounded by walls of photos and awards in his Austin home on Nov. 2, 2023.]()
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Private schools are ready to expand into smaller communities if Texas adopts voucher program
With rural Texas relatively underserved by private schools, the potential for expansion could play a role in the debate over whether to let families use taxpayer money to pay for private education. Full Story
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![A student's school supplies on the first day of in-person classes in Texas on Sept. 8, 2020.]()
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Public education advocates propose alternatives to STAAR test, push for more pathways for teachers
As Gov. Greg Abbott expands his special session agenda to include public education funding, some still take issue with the governor tying new money for teacher raises and school safety to a voucher program. Full Story
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With 22 portable classrooms on one campus, a growing Texas school district is asking voters for $2 billion
Conroe is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. It and other districts say they need voters to OK bonds to keep up with the influx of students. Full Story
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![A cluster of portable classrooms at Nimitz Middle School is seen pictured Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune