Texas Senate advances bill to shore up teacher pension fund
The bill would increase state, school district and teacher contributions to the fund, and provide a one-time additional check for retirees. Full Story
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Aliyya Swaby
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Aliyya Swaby was the public education reporter for The Texas Tribune, where she worked from 2016 to 2021. Previously she worked at the hyperlocal nonprofit New Haven Independent, where she covered education, zoning and transit for two years. After graduating from Yale University in 2013, she spent a year freelance reporting in Panama on social issues affecting black Panamanian communities. She was an Education Writers Association finalist in 2017 for beat reporting and a Livingston Awards finalist in 2019 for a series on school desegregation.
Past Contributions
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, during a meeting of the Senate State Affairs Committee on March 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House panel advances school finance bill but removes merit pay provision
The $9 billion bill has more than 100 co-sponsors in the House but will need to be reconciled with Senate proposals. Full Story
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![Chairman of the House Public Education Committee and State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, hears public testimonies during the House Public Education Committee meeting on March 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate unveils its first version of a school finance reform bill
The bill is part of a series of proposals designed to slow property tax growth and fix how the state pays for its schools. Full Story
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![Senate Education Committee Chariman and state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, during a committee meeting on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Texas teacher pay emerges as a sticking point between House and Senate
The Senate is proposing $5,000 raises for each teacher and librarian. The House is calling for raising minimum salaries and increasing benefits. Full Story
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![Speaker Dennis Bonnen and state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, with other House members hold a press conference to announce their school finance bill on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Is STAAR too hard on young readers? The standardized test is in lawmakers' crosshairs again.
Two years-old studies questioning the state's standardized test have gained traction in Texas, fueling the fire among educators and parents who argue the test is too high-stakes. Full Story
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![Daniel Saldana, 9th grade student at Elsik High school, looks up during a quiz about biomolecules during an afternoon intervention program on April 19, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House bill would put $9 billion into school finance reform and property tax relief
Members of the Texas House received their first look at the soon-to-be-filed proposal in a one-page summary circulating around the Texas Capitol Monday afternoon. Full Story
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![Rep. Dan Huberty R-Houston speaks to media after the House concurs on school finance bill on August 15, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate unanimously passes $5,000 teacher pay raises, adding librarians
The proposal faces an uphill climb in the lower chamber, with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen saying he prefers to give school districts flexibility on addressing teacher pay. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flowermound, introduces SB 3 on the Senate Floor on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott raves about Dallas' teacher incentive pay program. But it's hard to replicate.
Dallas ISD spearheaded a program that floods its low-performing schools with the best resources, including highly rated educators who get paid large stipends. Lawmakers want to see it expanded. Full Story
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![Natasha Boone high fives a student as they went over a story the class was reading Jan. 14, 2019 at Edward Titche Elementary School in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas*.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reappoints Education Commissioner Mike Morath
If confirmed by the state Senate, Morath would serve until Jan. 16, 2023. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath speaks to the State Board of Education members during a meeting in Austin on Jan. 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate panel advances $5,000 teacher pay raise proposal
The bill, which would cost $3.9 billion, received unanimous support from the Senate Finance Committee. Full Story
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![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, asks questions during a Senate Finance Committee hearing at the state Capitol on October 24, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune