Talk of lifting the state’s student-teacher class-size ratio has returned after a bill on the matter died in May. As Mose Buchele of KUT News reports, though some say debate on the issue has downplayed the potential harm for students, others call the worries overblown.
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
Video: Teachers, Parents Protest Education Cuts
Teachers and parents gathered today at the state Capitol to protest budget cuts to education funding.
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Economy
With Filibuster, Wendy Davis Talks Herself Into Political Spotlight
State Sen. Wendy Davis’ controversial decision to torpedo the 82nd Legislative session with a filibuster has catapulted the Fort Worth Democrat into the spotlight, which she has seized to try to mobilize the state’s downtrodden and outnumbered Democrats.
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Demographics
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson and Grissom on a freshman lawmaker who didn’t mind making waves, Aguilar on E-Verify’s new lease on life, Galbraith on the state’s plodding progress toward solar power, Hamilton on Warren Chisum’s exit, Philpott on the remapping of Lloyd Doggett’s district, Ramsey on a proposed change to ethics laws for Texas pols, Ramshaw on efforts by the state to take control of Medicaid and Medicare, Root on why a Rick presidential bid shouldn’t be underestimated, M. Smith on the unraveling of school finance legislation and Tan and Dehn on the highs and lows of the 82nd legislative session: The best of our best content from May 30 to June 3, 2011.
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Economy
This Time, Budget Bills Sail Through Senate
After last ditch efforts from Democrats to increase funding for schools through closing tax loopholes and tapping the Rainy Day Fund failed, two budget bills quickly cleared the Senate Friday night.
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Economy
Video: The Week In Politics Recap May 30 – June 3, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
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Public Education
School Finance Returns to Senate; What Next?
School finance likely hits the Senate floor this afternoon. Will anything change?
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Demographics
The 82nd Lege Session: The Highlights Reel
The Trib’s multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.)
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Public Education
How School Finance Legislation Unraveled — and Might Again
In the end, a late-night filibuster in the Senate killed school finance for the regular session. But SB 1581’s earlier crash-and-burn in the House is an odyssey worth revisiting as lawmakers take up the issue in their special session.
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Public Education
Updated: Teacher Furloughs Fair Game for Special
Rep. Rob Eissler has filed his mandate relief bill, and while it doesn’t lift the class-size ratio, it virtually ensures a school district would recieve a waiver from the requirement upon request — as long as that wouldn’t result in more than 25 students in a classroom, a district-wide average of more than 22 students per class, or “negatively affect the education of students.”