The bill will let Texas public schools set up virtual learning programs for eligible students to attend full-time.
“Elementary school reading proficiency is actually the worst it’s ever been since the dawn of the STAAR test," Commissioner Morath said.
The district will give "COVID-19 paid leave" and a $500 stipend to workers who are vaccinated or medically exempt from vaccination.
Catch up on the week's hottest stories in Texas politics with the reporting team at The Texan.
Students at ISDs scored higher than charters in every subject. Black and Hispanic students scored comparatively higher at charters.
Social services, new technology, and staff expenses are all vying for top spots in the state's biggest local school budgets.
Parents of FWISD students are raising concerns about time and resources spent on equity policies rather than the basic skills of education like reading and math.
Texas high schoolers rose modestly in English and fell sharply elsewhere. Federal data shows 8th graders struggled even before the pandemic.
Though schools won't have to worry about their own scores this year, the TEA will still administrate the STAAR test to gauge student success.
This week — a workplace complaint prompts investigative committee meeting, legislators call for cancelation of STAAR testing, and the first week of pre-filing sees sharp uptick in submissions compared to past sessions.
After student educations were interrupted by COVID-19, some lawmakers point to the need to shift away from STAAR testing as the sole grading system for students and school districts.
The state's STAAR testing requirements have been waived for the remainder of the calendar school year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
With school finance reform expected to become law later today, the state's standardized test system (STAAR) remains under close scrutiny.
House Bill 3 puts school finance reform front and center in the 86th Legislature as property tax battle looms large.
