Public schools should spend less time on testing and on a one-size-fits-all approach to education. Not all students want or need to go to college.
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.
Texas SAT Scores Drop, but Participation Rates Surge
More black and Hispanic students in Texas are taking the SAT, but they aren’t doing as well, according to a report released Monday by the Texas Education Agency.
Liveblog: Public & Higher Education at The Texas Tribune Festival
We’re liveblogging this weekend from The Texas Tribune Festival’s Public & Higher Education track, which includes panels on the future of school finance, standardized testing, the emerging Hispanic majority and the upcoming legislative session.
Guest Column: Wake Up — Schools Are Failing
Texas local school bureaucrats are not graduating enough of our students ready for college or career. We need to wake up, and wake up now, to the deeper truth that it is time to stop blaming the messengers. It is time to fix the problem.
An Accidental State Board of Education Candidate?
El Paso Democrat Martha Dominguez’s apparent absence from the campaign trail has prompted her SBOE opponent to call her a “ghost” — and has sparked criticism from members of her own party. But that may not stop her from winning the race.
Voucher Issue Makes a Comeback
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s announcement that he intends to run for re-election almost got one-upped by another he made at the same time in Tampa: support for a key piece of education reform.
Oil and Gas Boom Makes Districts Rich but Uneasy
Booming oil and gas production in the Eagle Ford Shale play has made property values soar — a sudden, surprising and sometimes stressful boon to some of the state’s poorest school districts.
TEA Commissioner Michael Williams Will Make $215K
New Texas Education Agency Commissioner Michael Williams will get a salary bump of about $29,000 over his predecessor, the governor’s office confirmed Friday.
Texas to Apply for No Child Left Behind Waiver
Texas plans to join the more than 30 states that have already asked for a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act’s requirements, according to a letter new state Education Commissioner Michael Williams sent school districts Thursday.
Video: An “Appsplainer” for the Public Schools Explorer
Our Public Schools Explorer is a comprehensive database with statistics for the state’s 1,300-plus school districts and 8,500 schools. This “Appsplainer” — yes, we’re making that a word — helps you navigate all that information.


