Texas Senate bill would give teachers raises, free pre-K
The proposal would expand a program that allows districts to award bonuses to educators based on their students’ academic growth. Full Story
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![Third grade teacher Eran McGowan watches students demonstrate their answers to the class at the Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy in Dallas, Texas on Feb. 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The ins and outs of the debate over school choice and vouchers
In this week’s episode, we discuss the details of the plan to let parents use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at ‘Parent Empowerment Night’ at San Antonio Christian School, in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 17, 2025.]()
Credit: Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribune -
Alief ISD’s pre-K center was built with younger kids in mind
Alief Independent School District is among a growing number of districts across the country to spend money on buildings tailored to 4- and 5-year-olds. Full Story
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Gov. Abbott orders TEA probe of Houston school for calling a student by chosen name and pronouns
The governor also called on lawmakers to prohibit the practice at all schools. Full Story
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![Gov. Abbott speaks to parents during an event hosted by the Parent Empowerment Coalition at Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen on April 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzales for The Texas Tribune -
In quest to infuse more religion into Texas schools, advocates say courts are now on their side
Past efforts to allow more religion in public schools have been hamstrung by legal challenges. But those on the religious right feel empowered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Full Story
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![A christian bible sits on a representatives desk on the house floor on first day of the 88th legislature, Jan 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
With vouchers fast-tracked, other Texas public education issues to watch this session
From teacher pay and preparation to special education and DEI, here are issues Texas lawmakers are prioritizing this legislative session. Full Story
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![Matilda Shaefer gets a goodbye kiss from her mom Allyson as she heads to class at Timber Lakes Elementary School in Splendora on Aug. 29, 2024.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Legislature considers paying much more for school safety
Texas law requires an armed officer at each school. Districts are asking lawmakers to pay the full yearly cost, which they say is $100 per student. Full Story
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![Two DPS officers test classroom doors and patrol the campus at Dalton Elementary School on the first day of school in Uvalde on Sept. 6, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Health care access and economic insecurity top a list of challenges for Texas children
A San Antonio panel discussed the results of a new survey on the well-being of Texas children Thursday and proposed solutions to the state’s ongoing challenges. Full Story
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![A student walks down the hallway at Cactus Elementary School in Cactus on Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through Senate
Senate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas Senate take up Senate Bill 2, regarding school vouchers, during the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Absenteeism spiked in the pandemic. Texas schools want the state’s help to keep students in the classroom.
Chronically absent students — those who missed at least 10% of their school days — are more likely to drop out, education advocates say. 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.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Abbott expected to promote vouchers and other highlights of his 2025 agenda in Sunday speech
After successful campaigns for House allies, the governor is in a position to set an ambitious course for the legislative session. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott delivers an address while welcoming state Senators during the opening of the Texas legislative session in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Legal rights groups urge school leaders not to adopt Texas’ Bible-infused curriculum
The coalition of legal organizations told Texas school district leaders that it would “take any action” necessary to protect the rights of students and their families. Full Story
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![A woman reads her bible before the Exalt Showcase of gospel and Christian music at Central Presbyterian Church at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Film Interactive Festival 2017 in Austin on March 14, 2017.]()
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National test scores show Texas students still lag in math and reading
Texas students' overall math scores dropped from 2022. But English learners and fourth-grade Black students did better than their peers elsewhere. Full Story
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![FILE: A student in Austin raises a hand in class in April 2013.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick outlines sweeping conservative agenda with list of top 25 legislative priorities
Restrict THC, help with deportations, infuse religion in schools and provide property tax relief – these are among the Patrick priorities. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over on the Senate floor during the first day of the second special session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas senators fast-track school voucher bill for full vote
The Senate could vote on the proposal as soon as next week. Democrats on Tuesday criticized the bill saying it fails to prioritize the state’s neediest children. Full Story
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![State Sen. Brandon Creighton, chair of the Senate Committee on Education K-16, lays out the SB2 plan for an education savings account program at a hearing at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 28, 2025.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune -
Social media isn’t the only cause of mental health woes among Texas youth, advocates say
Social media’s danger on youth mental health has captured the attention of Texas lawmakers, at times, eclipsing focus on bigger threats — provider shortages and funding cuts to programs. Full Story
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![Social media appliations are seen grouped on a mobile device in this illustration photo taken in Warsaw, Poland on 16 January, 2025.]()
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Texas Senate’s voucher proposal would give families $10,000 to fund students’ private school
Senate Bill 2 starts a new debate on a school voucher program in Texas. A funding proposal would allow up to 100,000 K-12 students who want to enroll to a private school to participate. Full Story
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![Students in Mrs. Hogan's kindergarten class on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary. Sept. 8, 2020 in Highland Village.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
State lawmakers ask education agency for guidance on how Texas schools can respond to Trump’s immigration plans
More than two dozen Texas Democrats expressed concern about the elimination of a federal policy preventing immigration arrests at schools. 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.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
School vouchers in Texas: Everything you need to know
Vouchers would let parents use public funds to pay for their kids’ private education. Learn about how they could work and the political battle around them. 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.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Many Texas schools take “wait and see” approach to Trump’s mass deportation plans
Schools near the border say it’s hard to prepare for the unknown. Immigration advocates say they should help communities understand students’ rights. Full Story
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![A student draws in an art classroom in Texas.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune