The latest public education news from The Texas Tribune.
Less than one in two Texas students met the state’s “college readiness” standards in math and verbal skills on the ACT, SAT and TAKS in 2010. And although the data shows that something is not going right, pinpointing why is difficult. Full Story
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Researchers believe they have uncovered a glitch in the DNA of the state's standardized exams that suggests, because of the statistical method used to assemble them, they are virtually useless at measuring the effects of instruction in the classroom. Full Story
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A little-watched board that operates out of the General Land Office cast a vote last week leaving public schools $300 million short — and the lawmakers who put that money into the 2012-13 budget scratching their heads. Full Story
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As the latest round of school finance litigation goes to trial this fall, it appears there is reason for optimism about the number of Texas students leaving high school with a diploma. But it's hard to know what's responsible for the success. Full Story
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Ted Cruz has argued more cases before the U.S. Supreme Court than any practicing lawyer in Texas, reporter Aman Batheja explains. And reporter Morgan Smith discusses how to track Texas schools with the Tribune's Public Schools Explorer. Full Story
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Because of concerns over a partnership between the national organization that develops the GED and Pearson, a for-profit, London-based testing company, Texas may create its own high school equivalency exam. Full Story
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The Schools Explorer, the Tribune's most comprehensive education tool to date, debuts today. Nathan Bernier of KUT News talks with the Tribune's Morgan Smith about what's in the app and how to use it. Full Story
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The Schools Explorer is your go-to source for academic, enrollment and financial data on Texas’ 1,300 districts and 8,500 public schools. Track graduation rates, test scores and more. Sort campuses by accountability rating and demographics. Take a bird’s-eye view of statewide stats. Full Story
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In Texas, where the curriculum-setting State Board of Education has engaged in high-profile skirmishes over science education, there will be no rush to implement new nationally developed common standards. Full Story
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“STEM,” an acronym for “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,” is a term that is becoming increasingly common across education circles. But why is it so important? We put the question to several key Texans in the field. Full Story
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Texas' latest round of school finance litigation adds some new players to the courtroom, with interests that are more varied than ever before. We've put together a cheat sheet to help you keep all six lawsuits straight. Full Story
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Texas' latest round of school finance litigation adds some new players to the courtroom, with interests that are more varied than ever before. We've created a cheat sheet to help you keep all six lawsuits — and the plaintiffs' basic arguments — straight. Full Story
An eighth-of-a-cent sales tax increase is being proposed in San Antonio to fund full-day pre-kindergarten for primarily low-income children in the city. Full Story
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Texas Workforce Commissioner Tom Pauken said he disagrees with a coalition of business leaders who said it would oppose any additional funding to public education if the existing accountability system is rolled back. Full Story
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In a news conference on Wednesday, leaders in the business community said that they would not stand for increased funding for education if it came with any rollback of accountability standards in Texas public schools. Full Story
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Texas is now about to face six lawsuits targeting the way it funds public schools. The Texas Charter School Association announced Tuesday it would join in legal action against the state over school financing. Full Story
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Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz said Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst made a "deliberate falsehood" when he said that he had never supported a payroll tax. Dewhurst's campaign says the allegations are "false and misleading." Full Story
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The incoming Dallas ISD superintendent on the transition from Colorado Springs to Dallas, the short-term and long-term challenges for Dallas ISD and the recent debate over salaries. Full Story
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At a House Public Education Committee hearing Tuesday, superintendents and students told lawmakers that the new "15 percent rule" regarding STAAR exams should be done away with, and some lawmakers were receptive. Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about some of the runoffs: U.S. Senate, Railroad Commission, Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Senate. Full Story
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