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.
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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.
EducationIssuesCollege Entrance Exam Innovator Still Testing Under Coronavirus Restrictions
Holly HansenApril 20, 2020
Though most college entrance exams have been canceled due to coronavirus concerns, a new alternative is allowing for remote testing.
86th LegislatureEducationIssuesTaxes & SpendingAs Coronavirus Prompts Economic Downturn, Texas is Facing Fiscal Uncertainty on Two Fronts
Bill PeacockApril 8, 2020
Texas could face a significant revenue shortfall that would disrupt the ability of the state government to fund its $248 billion biennial budget.
Civil SocietyIssuesStatewide NewsGov. Abbott Issues Order Limiting Social Gatherings, Ending Dine-In at Restaurants, Closing Schools
Sarah McConnellMarch 19, 2020
Gov. Abbott announced a new executive order to help contain COVID-19 that limits social gatherings to fewer than 10 people, ends dine-in at restaurants, and closes school districts across the state.
Civil SocietyEducationStatewide NewsGovernor Abbott Waives STAAR Testing Requirements
Charity NicholsonMarch 17, 2020
The state's STAAR testing requirements have been waived for the remainder of the calendar school year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
EducationIssuesLocal NewsTaxes & SpendingHarris County Department of Education Gives Superintendent Lavish Raise
Holly HansenFebruary 12, 2020
HCDE board president Eric Dick joined with the board’s four Democrat trustees to approve a 23 percent pay raise for Superintendent James Colbert and doubled his retirement contributions.
EducationIssuesLocal NewsStatewide NewsTaxes & SpendingThe Last County Board of Education in Texas: A Multimillion-Dollar Behemoth With No Clear Identity or Mission
Holly HansenJanuary 27, 2020
The Harris County Board of Education is the last remaining county board in the state. Despite no longer overseeing any public schools, HCDE continues to collect money and create new operations.