Police and educators were among those who testified before senators on Monday about how to ensure school safety and whether school employees should carry concealed handguns on campus.
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.
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Public Education
Hot Seat: A Conversation with Hancock and Patrick
At last Friday’s Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas at Arlington, state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth, and state Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, talked about public education, health care, the state budget and other issues in play in the 83rd session.
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Politics
TribLive: Dewhurst on Funding Public Education
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about whether public education funding in Texas is sufficient and where additional money might come from.
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Public Education
Senators Grill TEA Chief on Testing, School Funding
In a hearing on Wednesday, senators probed Michael Williams, the new head of the Texas Education Agency, on student assessments and funding for remedial tutoring.
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Public Education
Texas Schools Look for Guidance on Gun Policies
Amid concerns over the safety of Texas’ public schools in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting, at least a dozen of the state’s districts are considering policies that would permit employees to carry concealed handguns.
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Public Education
Senate Education Leader Files Testing Overhaul Bill
State Sen. Kel Seliger, the Amarillo Republican who leads the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, filed a bill Tuesday offering broad changes to student assessment and high school graduation requirements in the state.
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Public Education
Texas’ Rank in Graduation Rate Study Presents a Contrast
A new national report puts Texas high school graduation rates at slightly above average, contrasting with a federal study released late last year that ranked the state among the best at graduating students within four years.
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Criminal Justice
Variety of Gun-Related Bills on Table for Session
At least 20 bills have been filed or proposed by Texas lawmakers on the subject of guns, with most of the legislation aiming to widen access to guns. Here’s a roundup of the proposals.
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Guides
Texplainer: Will Legislature Take On School Funding Despite Trial?
With a major school finance trial under way, lawmakers are reluctant to take up public education funding before a court ruling on the matter. What they’ll do in the meantime remains uncertain.
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Public Education
Preschool Part of Education Funding Scramble
In light of the improved economic forecast announced recently by the state comptroller, education advocates are asking for more money to go to Texas’ public education system — the state’s preschools included.