Chapter 313, a provision of the state’s tax code that allows school districts to use tax cuts to lure large corporations, will expire unless lawmakers act to renew it next year.
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
Defining “Adequate” in Financing Texas Schools
Since 1984, Texas has faced six lawsuits over public school funding. Over the years, a chorus of conservative voices has posed another fix for the school finance problem: Why not just change the duties under the state Constitution?
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Public Education
School Finance Trial Presses On
The massive trial involving more than two-thirds of the state’s school districts and most of its charter schools has been under way for two weeks now — and while the evidence will continue to pour in until January, the arguments of all seven parties, including the state, have taken shape.
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Public Education
Schools Turning to Technology to Monitor Students
To track attendance and avoid losing state funding, some school districts have begun electronically monitoring students’ whereabouts. Two San Antonio schools have added electronic chips to student ID cards, while some in Austin have issued students phones with GPS systems.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
UT/TT Poll: Economic Issues Are Top Concerns
Economic and immigration issues remain top concerns in the state, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
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Public Education
Updated: Lawmakers Discuss School Discipline Methods
At a Tuesday hearing, lawmakers discussed giving more discretion to teachers, law enforcement and judges when it comes to dealing with disciplinary violations at schools.
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Public Education
Battle Lines Forming Over School Vouchers
State leaders may be reluctant to tackle school finance in next year’s legislative session because of a major lawsuit. That leaves room for legislators to fight over school vouchers, a controversial issue already stirring fierce debate.
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Higher Education
In College Entry Rule, Reality Can Trump Logic
The top 10 percent rule at Texas colleges wasn’t all about higher education — it was about the inequities in public schools that are still being litigated today.
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Public Education
As New Public Ed Chair, Patrick Focuses on Expanding School Choice
State Sen. Dan Patrick says he is ready to champion public schools at the Capitol when the 83rd Legislature convenes in January. Whether the education community is ready to embrace him in that role is another matter.
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Higher Education
Comptroller’s Report Examines College, Public School Debt
A report on government debt from Comptroller Susan Combs examines colleges and public school districts, the latter of which are responsible for a third of the money owed at the local level.