Texas unveils plan to have all students take STAAR online by 2022
The report comes on the heels of Texas signing two, four-year contracts totaling $388 million with companies to develop and administer the standardized tests. Full Story
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![U.S. History teacher Cris Hernandez remotely teaches a class in an empty classroom at Westfield High School on Sept 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Texas hires two companies to run STAAR, moving toward statewide online testing
Contracts totaling $388 million have been awarded to Cambium Assessment and Pearson, a longtime player in testing Texas public school students, to develop and administer STAAR for the next four years. Full Story
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![STAAR themed decorations adorn the hallways of Wharton Elementary School in Wharton on April 21, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas school sports moved indoors for the winter. So did the coronavirus.
Some states delayed winter sports, but Texas has allowed the games to go on with precautions. Medical experts say the transmission risks are simply too high. Full Story
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![Westwood High School head coach Brad Hastings speaks to his team during a time out during a basketball game at Round Rock Hi…]()
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Texas still blocked from taking over Houston’s school district, appeals court rules
The appeals court upheld a temporary injunction that stops Texas from ousting Houston ISD's school board. But the legal battle is not over. Full Story
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![Students outside North Forest High School in Houston.]()
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A grieving daughter, a dedicated teacher and a former bar owner: We check back in with Texans about the pandemic and 2020
Like so many people, everyone we spoke to for this special edition of The Brief podcast said they're ready for this year to be over. Full Story
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As pandemic grinds on, Texas students increasingly feel alone and scared, and some are thinking about suicide
The mental health of students, and teachers, has moved to the forefront for Texas schools amid troubling signs that the pandemic is exacting a heavy emotional toll. Full Story
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![Tables are spaced out in a classroom at Ott Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in San Antonio. The tables, which ty…]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Here’s what you should know heading into the 2021 Texas legislative session
We surveyed some of The Texas Tribune’s reporters and editors about what they’d be watching come Jan. 12, when state lawmakers are scheduled to gavel in the new session. Full Story
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![Exterior of the Texas State Capitol on Nov. 19, 2020.]()
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The pandemic, protests and the polls: Texas' 2020 in photos
Photojournalists captured the unforgettable images that defined an epic year in Texas as people grappled with the pandemic, protested police brutality and made their voices heard at the polls. Full Story
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![Crystal Aitaegbebhunu and her dance partners rqn through their choreography for a Juneteenth black empowerment video at Eman…]()
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Texas school leaders urge state not to cut funding as they struggle with declining enrollment
Enrollment has fallen as schools and families grapple with pandemic closures and health concerns. Next semester, the declines could start hitting district budgets. Full Story
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![Desks are seated six feet away from each other at Premont Collegiate High School on Aug. 4, 2020 in Premont. Some desks, mar…]()
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This high school senior plans to be the first in her family to attend college. She has to finish virtual school first.
Isabel Suarez, a Pflugerville High School senior, cares for her two younger siblings while their mom is at work. She balances that with completing piles of homework assignments this fall during the pandemic. Full Story
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![Before the start of the school day, Isabel Suarez works on homework from her home in Pflugerville. Dec. 9, 2020.]()
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Listen: She’s tutoring her siblings while learning remotely. How one Texas high school senior navigates the pandemic.
Spend a day with Isabel Suarez, an 18-year-old Pflugerville High School senior who's taking on the challenges of virtual school as well as tutoring her two younger siblings during the pandemic. Full Story
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![Isabel Suarez works on homework at her home in Pflugerville. Dec 9, 2020.]()
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After an indoor reception for Texas education officials, many attendees weren't told of COVID-19 diagnoses
Within two weeks of an informal reception honoring retiring State Board of Education members, at least three members tested positive for COVID-19. No one told many of the other attendees or the hotel. Full Story
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![The DoubleTree Suites in Austin. Dec. 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas students will still take STAAR tests in 2021, but schools won't be rated on them
State lawmakers had previously asked the Texas Education Agency to seek a federal waiver to cancel the standardized tests. Full Story
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![Desks are spaced out in a classroom at Ott Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
At least three Texas Board of Education members test positive for the coronavirus after in-person meeting
One of the board members said the state needs to be more cautious about getting back to normal — especially with a new legislative session set to begin next month. Full Story
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![The State Board of Education.]()
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Texas educators urge Gov. Greg Abbott to prioritize teachers, school staff for coronavirus vaccine
Texas is expected to get enough vaccine doses for about 1.4 million people in mid-December. Healthcare workers who directly interact with patients will be the first eligible for vaccination. Full Story
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![Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hogan instructs students to make a "bubble" of room between other students on the first day of in-…]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
After AG Bill Barr says no evidence of widespread fraud in 2020 election, 9 Texas Republicans decry "shocking lack of action" on allegations
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also called for the Supreme Court to hear one of Donald Trump's election lawsuits. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Victoria, speaks during the daily Public Health District COVID-19 Update at Corpus Christi City H…]()
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TribCast: The presumptive House speaker and remote learning struggles in Texas
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Aliyya and Cassi about how state Rep. Dade Phelan became the likely next speaker of the Texas House and why remote learning has been so difficult for schools. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the Capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Spe…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
A North Texas superintendent is openly defying the state mask mandate in schools. No one is stopping him.
The Texas Education Agency declined to take action, saying it's up to local enforcement. A county official tried to intervene but said it should be up to TEA to enforce. Full Story
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![School supplies are individually bagged in each cubbie in a classroom at Ott Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in …]()
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Many Texas families say remote learning isn’t working and they want it fixed
A summer of delay and inconsistency from state political and education leaders left Texas schools little time to prepare for an academic year with millions of students learning from home. Now many of those kids are failing through no fault of their own. Full Story
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![Hezekiah Hunter has been learning from home due to the pandemic and has struggled to manage the onslaught of assignments tha…]()
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Texas education board approves new sex ed policy that does not cover LGBTQ students or consent
Most Republicans voted against proposals to teach middle and high school students about consent, sexual orientation or gender identity. The board will take a final vote Friday. Full Story
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![A student drinks water from a fountain at Cactus Elementary School in Cactus on Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune