After Governor Greg Abbott gave the order to open the state, the TEA said school boards have the power to vote out their mask mandates.
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87th LegislatureEducationState HouseTexas Lawmaker Looks to Require ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer’ at School Districts
Isaiah MitchellMarch 25, 2021
The diversity officer's duties would range from student counseling to district-wide administration and rule-making.
The Texas A&M System, home to the state’s most populous university, announced that protocols will remain unchanged and may continue into the 2021-2022 school year.
87th LegislatureEducationTexas School Boards Allowed to End Mask Mandates in Districts, Per TEA
Isaiah MitchellMarch 5, 2021
The TEA guidance assumes mask requirements but says that school boards are allowed to keep or remove them as they wish.
87th LegislatureEducationState HouseState SenateAs State Extends Hold Harmless Funds, Leaders Predict Long Future for Hybrid Learning
Isaiah MitchellMarch 4, 2021
The state's top two education leaders told the legislature that schools from kindergarten to college will probably cling to computer learning.
The Back MicThe Back Mic: Abbott Hints at Austin Police Takeover, Democrats Call for STAAR Test Suspension, Crenshaw Tops Favorability Ratings
Brad JohnsonFebruary 5, 2021
This week — here's a look at the latest news from this week in Texas politics.
EducationEnrollment Drop Hits Texas Public Schools
Isaiah MitchellJanuary 14, 2021
By the time the TEA finalizes the data, this year could mark the first drop in Texas public school enrollment since measurement began.
87th LegislatureEducationState SenateProposed Bill Would Compel Schools to Rehire Teachers Who Quit Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Isaiah MitchellDecember 23, 2020
COVID-wary teachers driven from the job by the virus would be entitled to return to the same pay and benefits under the bill.
EducationStatewide NewsState Public Education Reports Highlight Student Underperformance, Teacher Strain
Isaiah MitchellDecember 18, 2020
STAAR test scores and other academic measurements have not been updated due to COVID-19, but national scores and teacher quality data remain.
AudioWeekly Roundup Podcast: Texas A&M COVID-19 Testing Mandate, Shakeup at Austin City Council, Vision Zero in Houston
Michelle ArledgeDecember 18, 2020
Catch up on the week's hottest stories in Texas politics with the reporting team at The Texan.
87th LegislatureEducationState HouseState SenateSTAAR Testing to Remain While A-F School Rating System Suspended, TEA Says
Isaiah MitchellDecember 14, 2020
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.
EducationIssuesStatewide NewsTEA Withdrawal Statistics Show Record Number of Students Leaving Public Schools
Isaiah MitchellDecember 3, 2020
State data and Texas Home School Coalition numbers show record-breaking home school withdrawals for this school year.
87th LegislatureEducationState HouseStatewide NewsTexas Education Commissioner Would Become Elected Position with New Legislation
Isaiah MitchellNovember 25, 2020
Democratic State Rep. Gina Hinojosa wants the Texas Commissioner of Education to take office by vote instead of the governor's appointment.
EducationLocal NewsTaxes & SpendingSchool Districts Raise Principals’ Pay During COVID-19 Slump Across Texas
Isaiah MitchellOctober 8, 2020
Some of the state's largest districts doled out thousands in pay raises as restrictions tightened financial belts around Texas.
EducationStatewide NewsEducation Commissioner Says Funding Waivers Still Available to Districts Delaying In-Person Opening
Holly HansenJuly 30, 2020
Commissioner Morath clarified that school districts will continue to receive funding waivers for as long as eight weeks and that the Texas Education Agency will adjust waivers further if necessary.
EducationStatewide NewsAttorney General Paxton Says Local Health Authorities May Not Order School Closures
Holly HansenJuly 28, 2020
In response to local health officials prohibiting most schools from opening, Texas’ attorney general provided guidance, saying that authority rests with school system leaders.
EducationIssuesSchool Reopenings Debated, Less than 0.1% of Coronavirus Deaths Among Minors
Daniel FriendJuly 24, 2020
Public opinion of reopening schools is divided, but the CDC supports it, noting that less than 0.1 percent of COVID-19-related deaths are among minors.
Civil SocietyEducationAttorney General Ken Paxton Says Religious Schools are Exempt from Local Closure Orders
Brad JohnsonJuly 17, 2020
After local orders closing all schools were issued, Attorney General Ken Paxton has determined that religious institutions must be allowed to operate in congruence with the First Amendment.
EducationSchools Will Resume In-Person Come Fall, Says Governor Abbott, TEA Commissioner Morath
Brad JohnsonJune 18, 2020
The state confirmed on Thursday that school will return this fall and in-person classes will be an option.
EducationStatewide NewsLawmaker Calls for STAAR Testing Requirements to be Waived, Evaluation System Diversified
Brad JohnsonJune 11, 2020
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.