Williams on Accountability and Testing
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams addressed the hottest topic in public education in Texas today: the state's standardized testing regimen. Full Story
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State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More College Readiness
Midland educators say the one-size-fits-all college readiness plan has run its course. They're working with area lawmakers to push legislation that would allow districts to offer different curriculum tracks, to better prepare students for the next step in their careers. Full Story
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TribLive: Williams on Guns in Schools
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams talked about possible legislation that would increase access to firearms for teachers and other school personnel. Full Story
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State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More Choices for Students
When it comes to choice in education, some legislators are thinking about more than school vouchers. Lawmakers representing West Texas will be filing proposals that would allow students to choose career paths that benefit local industries. Full Story
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Land Board Votes to Transfer $300 Million to School Fund
The School Land Board voted Tuesday to release $300 million into the Available School Fund for public schools. The funds had been caught in a standoff between the Legislature and the board, whose members include Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. Full Story
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![Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson discusses Texas historical records that document early immigrants like Davy Crockett and Stephen F. Austin.]()
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School Finance Trial Will Influence Session, With or Without a Final Decision
A final decision in the school finance trial against the state involving more than two-thirds of its districts and charter schools likely won’t happen until after the lights go out in the 83rd Legislature. But that doesn’t mean what’s happening inside of the courtroom now won’t have an impact on policy under the pink dome. Full Story
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To Boost School Security, Lawmakers Push to Increase Access to Guns
Some Texas legislators are emphasizing the need for teachers and other school personnel to have increased access to firearms on campus. Ahead of the 83rd legislative session, bills have been proposed with that mission in mind. Full Story
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![Austin Police Officer Cory Ehrler monitors the entrance to Ridgetop Elementary School after classes start on the Monday following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. As the 83rd legislative session approaches, Texas lawmakers are considering making firearms more available to teachers and other school personnel.]()
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Year in Review: Education
For public education in Texas, 2012 was the year of accountability. At the state's universities, the competition for dollars to boost research and status heated up. Here's a look back at the year's biggest stories about public and higher education. Full Story
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Texas Weekly Newsreel: Money for Schools, Guns for Schools
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, unveiled their school choice legislation, without many financial details and hardly a word about vouchers. And last week's schoolhouse shootings in Connecticut prompted Texas legislators to propose changes in the state's gun laws. Full Story
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Dewhurst, Patrick Discuss Plans for "Sweeping" School Reform
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Dan Patrick gave the first details of what they promised would be a wide-ranging set of proposals for public education policy during the upcoming legislative session. Full Story
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![Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Sen. Dan Patrick R-Houston, during press conference to discuss education reform in Texas including school choice.]()
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Teacher Quality is Focus of Group's Reform Effort
A report released Wednesday, the result of a year-long effort from a commission of top education thinkers, offers a sweeping set of recommendations aimed at improving the teaching profession in the state. Full Story
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As Fallout From Scandal Continues, El Paso ISD Looks to Aid Dropouts
As the El Paso school district continues to reel from a testing scandal, one district program is focusing on the students who dropped out as a result of pressure from school officials. Full Story
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Dewhurst, Patrick to Unveil School Reform Bill
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, on Wednesday will unveil education reform legislation that some expect to reignite a fiery debate over the potential use of school vouchers in Texas. Full Story
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Villalba Will File Bill to Allow Teachers to Carry Concealed Guns
In response to last week's Connecticut school shooting, state Rep.-elect Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, says he will file legislation to allow public school teachers to carry concealed weapons while on campus. Full Story
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Abbott: 78 Texas School Districts Not Meeting Safety Standards
Following the Connecticut school shooting, Attorney General Greg Abbott has warned 78 out-of-compliance Texas school districts that his office expects them to immediately update their safety plans in accordance with state law. Full Story
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As State Eyes School Choice Reform, Some Districts Pursue It Locally
State leaders are preparing to push for legislation to expand the choices available for Texas' nearly 5 million public school students. Meanwhile, some local districts are already pursuing similar reforms within their own systems. Full Story
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![Students enter a classroom at one of the 11 Houston-area campuses of Yes Prep, a public charter school system serving 7,000 low-income students.]()
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Changing Tack, Business Leaders Now Favor Tweaks to Testing System
Business leaders said Wednesday that they would support modifications to the new student assessment system implemented this spring — and put forth a plan that provides multiple pathways to high school graduation. Full Story
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Two Texas Charter Schools Win Race to the Top Grants
Two Texas charter schools are each eligible to receive just less than $30 million in federal Race to the Top money. Idea Public Schools and Harmony Science Academy were among 16 winners chosen from 61 finalists from across the nation. Full Story
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Guest Column: Dropout Rates Too Good to Be True?
If the new graduation numbers released by the U.S. Department of Education are correct — that 86 percent of Texas students graduated high school in four years in the 2010-2011 school year — we all certainly have something to celebrate. But they're probably not correct. Full Story
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![Bill Hammond is the CEO of the Texas Association of Business.]()
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Now What? Public Policy in the 83rd Session
On November 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin's Texas Politics Project asked four experts on state health, water, transportation and education policy to preview the fights over those issues in the 83rd session. Full Story
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