Analysis: An election without a mandate for Texas lawmakers
Some elections are referendums on issues, public votes that give lawmakers a good idea of what voters want. This election isn't one of those. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
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GOP operative John Colyandro to lead "school choice" lobbying group
Longtime GOP political operative John Colyandro has been tapped to head a new organization that will aggressively push Texas lawmakers to approve education savings accounts. Full Story
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![Executive director of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute and the Texas Conservative Coalition, John Colyandro gives testimony during a September 13, 2016 Select Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Teaching to the sext: How Texas educators tackle a NSFW election
Texas teachers are finding plenty of lessons for students in the 2016 presidential election, but discussing some of the racier news requires a careful approach. Full Story
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![Ronny Risinger teaches an AP government class at the Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy (LASA) in Austin, Texas on November 2, 2016. Lillian Hotz sits in the front row of his class.]()
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TEA denies allegations of cap on special education
The Texas Education Agency denied allegations that it capped special education services for public school students at 8.5 percent in a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Education. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath testifies on school board issues before the Senate Committee on Education August 16, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
Eleven Texas school boards ordered to the classroom
The Texas Education Agency told 11 school boards and superintendents they must take special training because their plans for fixing underperforming schools haven't made the grade. Full Story
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![Houston ISD trustees admonish TEA for delaying campus turnaround plan implementation.]()
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Abbott, Patrick disagree on special session for school funding
Gov. Greg Abbott turned down Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's suggestion that he call a special session to overhaul school funding. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas students boost scores on national science test
Results released Thursday from a national science test show Texas students scoring higher than they have in past years, and higher than the national average. Full Story
![Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath testifies on school board issues before the Senate Committee on Education August 16, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
New in Trib+Edu: Graduation rate hits record high
In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: The high school graduation rate hits a record high, a warning about a type of retirement plan used by many teachers and an interview with Micheal Sandbank of the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education. Full Story
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Analysis: High property taxes start in Austin, not in school districts
State lawmakers complain that local property taxes need to be leashed. But state lawmakers are more responsible for the increases than they let on. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Trump trickle-down could impact education board races
Several Democrats aiming to unseat incumbent Republicans believe the relative unpopularity of the Republican at the top of the ticket, Donald Trump, will help propel them to victory in the Nov. 8 general election. Full Story
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![Republican incumbent Ken Mercer defeated Democrat Rebecca Bell-Metereau in the State Board of Education, District 5 race.]()
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Analysis: Rising local school property taxes ease state budget woes
State officials would like to lower local school property taxes, but they've got a secret: Some of those local school tax revenues make it easier to balance a tight state budget. Full Story
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![Ramon Cavazos teaches a middle school business class in the Olfen Independent School District in Rowena, Texas, on Jan. 20, 2016.]()
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Two school districts accused of violating new truancy law
Students in Mesquite and El Paso schools were sent to truancy court despite a new state law stressing alternatives to criminal charges, several advocacy groups allege. Full Story
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Texas House committee digging in heels for school voucher fight
In a bipartisan sparring match, members of the House Public Education Committee challenged proponents of using taxpayer dollars — or tax breaks — to help parents send their kids to private or parochial schools. Full Story
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Turkey's claims against Houston-based charter school dismissed
The Texas Education Agency has dismissed a complaint alleging that Harmony Public Schools engaged in financial malfeasance and other misconduct. Full Story
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![Advocates showed their support for charter schools during an April 29, 2015, rally at the Texas Capitol.]()
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New in Trib+Edu: Audit finds risks in charter schools
In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: A new audit finds charters and their management organizations pose risks to federal funds, schools address clown threats and an interview with Noah De Lissovoy of the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education. Full Story
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Help Wanted to Investigate Student-Teacher Relationships
Faced with growing state attention on improper student-teacher relationships, the Texas Education Agency is asking lawmakers for hundreds of thousands of additional dollars to help investigate them — plus new legislation. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency investigator Doug Phillips testifies on punishing educators for inappropriate student-teacher relationships during a public hearing Dec. 7, 2015 before the Senate Education Committee.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
New in Trib+Edu: Teaching Elections in a Tough Year
In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: A divisive political climate complicates efforts to teach about the elections, an Alabama school requires a background check before having lunch with a child and an interview with Anthony Brown and Louis Harrison of the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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Outgoing Lawmakers: Boost Public Ed Funding to Fix School Finance
Texas House budget and public education leaders said Wednesday that the best way to overhaul the state’s school finance system is to increase the base amount of money it gives to each district per student. Full Story
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Texas Lawmakers to Highlight Education Spending Divide
The state’s escalating dependence on local tax dollars to fund public schools is expected to be a focus during a joint hearing of two House committees Wednesday and Thursday. Full Story
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![House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, pulled down a school finance bill during the 84th legislative session on May 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Rice University Band Mocks Baylor Sexual Assault Scandal
Rice University's marching band used its halftime performance in a Friday night football game against Baylor University to mock Baylor's recent sexual assault scandal. Full Story
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![Rice University' Marching Owl Band forms into "IX," a reference to Title IX rules governing sexual discrimination at colleges, while performing a halftime show mocking Baylor University for its recent sexual assault scandal during a football game on Sept. 16, 2016.]()
Credit: YouTube Screenshot