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Brian Lopez was The Texas Tribune's public education reporter from 2021 until 2024. He covered how policy and politics affect Texas’ K-12 public education system and the nearly 5.5 million kids enrolled in public schools. Previously, he was the Tarrant County reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Brian is a New York native but moved to Texas after high school. He graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington.
For the first time since the pandemic, Texas schools will again be rated based on standardized tests. But for one year only, schools that receive a D or F will get a “not rated” label. Full Story
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State Republicans say conservative wins in local school board elections on Saturday mean parents are taking a stand against “left-wing” ideologies. Full Story
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In Tarrant County, conservative PACs animated about the teaching of race and sexuality are flooding school board races with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Full Story
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The State Board of Education must still approve use of the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, which was dropped by two states that had adopted it. Full Story
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Two states have dropped the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, and three others passed on it or want it gone. Full Story
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The policy sidelines educators, often for two school years, at a time when districts are already struggling to keep teachers in the classrooms. Full Story
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School districts are not required to adopt the agency’s recommendations but can use them as guidance as they develop new procedures or alter their policies for selecting or removing library books. Full Story
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The Florida law prohibits teachers from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity to kids below the fourth grade. Full Story
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K-3 teachers in Texas have until 2023 to complete a 60-hour Reading Academies course to keep the job. It’s taking some 120 hours on their own time to finish. Full Story
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In Texas, schools are funded based on the number of students enrolled and the daily attendance on campus. Full Story
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