Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, on Wednesday will unveil education reform legislation that some expect to reignite a fiery debate over the potential use of school vouchers in Texas.
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
Villalba Will File Bill to Allow Teachers to Carry Concealed Guns
In response to last week’s Connecticut school shooting, state Rep.-elect Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, says he will file legislation to allow public school teachers to carry concealed weapons while on campus.
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Public Education
Abbott: 78 Texas School Districts Not Meeting Safety Standards
Following the Connecticut school shooting, Attorney General Greg Abbott has warned 78 out-of-compliance Texas school districts that his office expects them to immediately update their safety plans in accordance with state law.
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Public Education
As State Eyes School Choice Reform, Some Districts Pursue It Locally
State leaders are preparing to push for legislation to expand the choices available for Texas’ nearly 5 million public school students. Meanwhile, some local districts are already pursuing similar reforms within their own systems.
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Public Education
Changing Tack, Business Leaders Now Favor Tweaks to Testing System
Business leaders said Wednesday that they would support modifications to the new student assessment system implemented this spring — and put forth a plan that provides multiple pathways to high school graduation.
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Public Education
Two Texas Charter Schools Win Race to the Top Grants
Two Texas charter schools are each eligible to receive just less than $30 million in federal Race to the Top money. Idea Public Schools and Harmony Science Academy were among 16 winners chosen from 61 finalists from across the nation.
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Public Education
Guest Column: Dropout Rates Too Good to Be True?
If the new graduation numbers released by the U.S. Department of Education are correct — that 86 percent of Texas students graduated high school in four years in the 2010-2011 school year — we all certainly have something to celebrate. But they’re probably not correct.
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Health care
Now What? Public Policy in the 83rd Session
On November 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project asked four experts on state health, water, transportation and education policy to preview the fights over those issues in the 83rd session.
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Health care
The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Villarreal and Campbell
At our Hot Seat conversation at Trinity University in San Antonio, state Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio, and state Sen.-elect Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, sparred about public education, health care and other issues in play in the upcoming 83rd session.
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Economy
What if Government Officials Were Scrutinized Like Football Coaches?
Imagine a government as accountable to voters for its performance as football coaches are to the ire of fans and boosters.