An education ecosystem is being built in Elon Musk’s image. It starts in Bastrop County.
Ad Astra promises to be Musk’s biggest foray into education to date, and, if successful, will add to his already massive footprint in Central Texas. Full Story
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![Ad Astra, a Montessori school being opened by Elon Musk in Bastrop, Texas, on Dec. 11, 2024.]()
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Texas is silent on whether it will offer summer food assistance for students
After the state missed the Jan. 1 deadline, lawmakers still have time to approve administrative costs before applying for $400 million in federal summer meal assistance. Full Story
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![Ector County Independent School District employees serve lunch to Bonham Middle School students Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
2024: The year in photos
A look at some of the best photos from the stories we published over the last year. Full Story
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![A look at some of the best photos from the stories we published over the last year.]()
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Look back at some of the best Texas Tribune reads of 2024
Our journalists brought life to the experiences of everyday Texans, held powerful institutions accountable and surfaced stories that went beyond the daily news cycles. Full Story
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![The dome of the Texas State Capitol on Thursday, April 24, 2014.]()
Credit: Anneke Els Paterson for The Texas Tribune -
Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services
The request comes after an audit found Texas improperly billed the federal government for reimbursements related to Medicaid-eligible students. Full Story
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![Students backpacks hang off the back of their chairs in an empty classroom at Blanco Vista Elementary School in San Marcos on Monday August, 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?
Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability. Full Story
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![Opening Day action of the 88th Texas Legislature at the Texas Capitol showing Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressing the House chamber.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
At this Fort Worth charter school, Texas adults are getting a second chance at a diploma
The Texas Legislature has prioritized getting high school dropouts the skills they need to enter the workforce. Full Story
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![Tiphainne Wright makes an expression while reading “The Handmaid's Tale” in class on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. Wright is one of 5 students in Schnique Dory’s period four English class at New Heights High School.]()
Credit: Maria Crane for The Texas Tribune -
School bonds failed across Texas. What happens now?
Texas voters rejected 20 of 35 bond propositions put forward by 19 school districts in November. Full Story
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![East Central ISD Superintendent Roland Toscano says that addressing overcrowding, safety concerns and teacher retention requires urgent action.]()
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State Board of Education says it wants more control over public school library books
A majority of the panel voted to call on the Texas Legislature to pass a state law giving members the authority to determine age-appropriate books for students. Full Story
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![Books line shelves at the Walsh Middle School library in Round Rock on July 11, 2022.]()
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Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointee
Tiffany Clark, who was elected to fill a vacant State Board of Education seat in January, said she would have voted against the curriculum. Full Story
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![SBOE District 13 elect Tiffany Clark]()
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State Board of Education approves Bible-infused curriculum
Critics say the curriculum overemphasizes Christianity. Texas school districts don’t have to use it but will receive $60 per student if they do. Full Story
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![Leslie Recine at a State Board of Education meeting in Austin on Nov. 22, 2024.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
How some Texas parents and historians say a new state curriculum glosses over slavery and racism
Education officials say the materials were designed to be age appropriate but critics argue they repeatedly omit key context and oversimplify history. Full Story
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![A U.S. History classroom at Akins High School in Austin, on October 2018.]()
Credit: Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune -
In preview of legislative session, lawmakers expect school vouchers to pass and the House to shift to the right
Lawmakers discussed public education, gun laws and health care policy at a daylong Texas Tribune event. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative priority
School voucher supporters say they have the votes to get a bill across both the Texas Senate, led by Patrick, and the House, which has repeatedly blocked such proposals. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says
Last year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott speaks about school choice during a visit to the Kingdom Life Academy private school on Wednesday November 6, 2024, in Tyler.]()
Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune -
Republicans maintain majority on the Texas State Board of Education
Republicans Tom Maynard, Pam Little, Aaron Kinsey and Brandon Hall prevailed in contested races. Democrat Gustavo Reveles won in the District 1 race. Full Story
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![State Board of Education chambers during the SBOE hearing on the controversial Mexican-American studies textbooks in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 13. Scholars who have reviewed Mexican American Heritage have pointed out that the textbook is riddled with factual errors, promotes offensive ethnic stereotypes and disparages Mexican Americans and their contributions to this country.]()
Credit: Martin do Nascimento for The Texas Tribune -
Texas GOP poised to increase its majorities in the Legislature
Gov. Greg Abbott said the House would have enough Republicans to pass school vouchers next year. Full Story
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![Lawmakers on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Reading, writing and religion? A Texas curriculum advisory board’s link to faith-based advocacy
The composition of the state’s hand-picked curriculum advisory board raises questions about whether panelists were inclined to green-light Bible-infused coursework. Full Story
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![Holy Bibles rest on chairs at Stonewall Church in Douglass on Feb. 26, 2024. Douglass is about 14 miles west of Nacogdoches on Texas Highway 21.]()
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Hundreds illegally got Texas teacher licenses through cheating ring, Harris County prosecutors say
Five people were charged in connection with the scheme. Investigators say aspiring teachers would pay for help cheating in the certification test. Full Story
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![Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg speaks at a press conference at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston on Thursday, April 25, 2024.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas is slashing $607 million in Medicaid funding from program for students with disabilities
School officials say the state decision to cut federal money likely will hurt their ability to recruit and retain critical staff for students with disabilities. Full Story
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![Dana Altamirano reads “The Wild Robot” to fourth graders at West Avenue Elementary School in Waco, on April 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Greta Díaz González Vázquez for The Texas Tribune