Darcy Vogt Williams says districts want flexibility deciding how and when to start the new school year, given the pandemic. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.
Public Education
Explore The Texas Tribune’s coverage of public education, from K-12 schools and funding to teachers, students, and policies shaping classrooms across Texas.
Posted in
Reopening Texas Schools
Texas will allow schools to keep classrooms closed longer than previously ordered
Facing backlash from educators, parents and public health officials, the Texas Education Agency is giving schools more time before they must resume teaching students in person and allowing districts hard hit by the coronavirus to seek waivers.
Posted in
Health care
Texas attorney general says religious private schools “need not comply” with local health orders to close
On Wednesday, TEA officials confirmed that school districts wouldn’t be penalized for barring students on campuses if local health officials mandated that schools stay closed, as long as remote instruction is offered.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas officials scramble to provide school reopening guidelines with only weeks of summer left
Conflicting mandates pingponging between state and local officials are frustrating many parents, students and teachers trying to plan for a fall semester during a raging pandemic.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas classrooms can stay closed this fall without losing state funding if local health officials order it
School districts won’t lose state funding if they stick with virtual classes this fall because a local health authority has mandated that classrooms remain closed.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Analysis: All eyes are on Texas headed into the 2020 presidential election
With Tuesday’s midsummer primary runoffs complete, the ballots are set for the November general election — the third major event in a year already reshaped by pandemic and recession.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Lani Popp defeats Robert Morrow in Texas State Board of Education runoff
Republican leaders had rallied against Morrow, who is known for his jester’s hat and his history of racist and sexist comments.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas will extend time that schools will be allowed to stay online-only, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Schools had previously been told that they would need to limit online-only instruction to the first three weeks of the school year, or they’d lose state funding.
Posted in
Reopening Texas Schools
Texas teachers caught in the middle of political battles over schools reopening
Many Texas Education Agency employees are working from home, but the agency is requiring schools to open five days a week for in-person instruction this fall. Teachers say that mandate has grave implications for their health.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: Skip the convention, but get ready for school
Debates about in-person political conventions and in-person public school classes revolve around the same question: Are we ready for this?