The School Land Board voted Tuesday to release $300 million into the Available School Fund for public schools. The funds had been caught in a standoff between the Legislature and the board, whose members include Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.
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
Economy
School Finance Trial Will Influence Session, With or Without a Final Decision
A final decision in the school finance trial against the state involving more than two-thirds of its districts and charter schools likely won’t happen until after the lights go out in the 83rd Legislature. But that doesn’t mean what’s happening inside of the courtroom now won’t have an impact on policy under the pink dome.
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Public Education
To Boost School Security, Lawmakers Push to Increase Access to Guns
Some Texas legislators are emphasizing the need for teachers and other school personnel to have increased access to firearms on campus. Ahead of the 83rd legislative session, bills have been proposed with that mission in mind.
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Public Education
Year in Review: Education
For public education in Texas, 2012 was the year of accountability. At the state’s universities, the competition for dollars to boost research and status heated up. Here’s a look back at the year’s biggest stories about public and higher education.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Weekly Newsreel: Money for Schools, Guns for Schools
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, unveiled their school choice legislation, without many financial details and hardly a word about vouchers. And last week’s schoolhouse shootings in Connecticut prompted Texas legislators to propose changes in the state’s gun laws.
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Public Education
Dewhurst, Patrick Discuss Plans for “Sweeping” School Reform
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Dan Patrick gave the first details of what they promised would be a wide-ranging set of proposals for public education policy during the upcoming legislative session.
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Public Education
Teacher Quality is Focus of Group’s Reform Effort
A report released Wednesday, the result of a year-long effort from a commission of top education thinkers, offers a sweeping set of recommendations aimed at improving the teaching profession in the state.
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Public Education
As Fallout From Scandal Continues, El Paso ISD Looks to Aid Dropouts
As the El Paso school district continues to reel from a testing scandal, one district program is focusing on the students who dropped out as a result of pressure from school officials.
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Public Education
Dewhurst, Patrick to Unveil School Reform Bill
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.
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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.