Past Contributions

• Brazosport ISD is training its own teachers. The program might become a model for other Texas schools.

  By Brian Lopez July 18, 2023

  The small district’s apprenticeship program lets aspiring teachers earn a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification at no cost. In return, participants must work at the district for at least three years. Observers hope state lawmakers will use the program as a model for legislation. Full Story 

• With no new funding from the state, Texas schools are breaking the bank to pay for teacher raises

  By Brian Lopez July 10, 2023

  Lawmakers this year didn’t approve extra money to help schools pay for raises despite having an unprecedented $32 billion surplus — even after Gov. Greg Abbott commissioned a task force last year to improve teacher pay and retention. Full Story 

• Texas’ pick to lead Houston’s schools used aggressive, polarizing methods in Dallas

  By Brian Lopez Updated: June 29, 2023

  Mike Miles has wasted no time in restructuring schools and proposing administrative layoffs. The changes are designed to pay teachers at struggling schools more if their students show improvement. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan join forces on property taxes. It might help the push for school vouchers.

  By Brian Lopez Updated: June 15, 2023

  Phelan announced the formation of a House committee that could set the tone in favor of vouchers ahead of an expected special session on education. The move comes weeks after Abbott sided with Phelan on a plan to lower property taxes. Full Story 

• No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Here’s what changed for public education this legislative session.

  By Brian Lopez June 2, 2023

  Lawmakers sacrificed school funding to block school vouchers, but the issue could be debated again in a special session. Districts will get new funds for school safety, though Uvalde families were ultimately left disappointed with inaction on gun restrictions. Full Story 

• Texas Education Agency picks Mike Miles for Houston ISD superintendent as state takeover begins

  By Alejandro Serrano and Brian Lopez Updated: June 1, 2023

  The former Dallas ISD superintendent and a state-appointed board of managers will replace Houston’s elected school board in response to years of poor academic outcomes at a single campus in the district. Full Story 

• Lawmakers approve school safety bill that would require an armed person at every Texas campus

  By Brian Lopez May 28, 2023

  The bill comes in response to the Uvalde school shooting last year that left 19 children and two adults dead. Full Story 

• No teacher raises, no vouchers: Lawmakers fail to reach compromise on school funding bill

  By Brian Lopez Updated: May 27, 2023

  The end of House Bill 100 is a bittersweet victory for public education advocates who vehemently oppose school voucher programs but lament that schools won’t get additional funds to pay for teacher raises or balance their budgets. Full Story 

• Texas Senate passes revamped school funding bill in last-minute bid to implement voucher program

  By Brian Lopez Updated: May 24, 2023

  Texas senators have latched education savings accounts to a school funding bill in a last-ditch effort to avoid a special session. But some House members are furious at the revamped version and have vowed not to let it become law. Full Story 

• Texas Senate committee revamps school funding bill to revive voucher-like proposal

  By Brian Lopez May 21, 2023

  The Senate education committee has drastically changed House Bill 100 after Gov. Greg Abbott signaled he would call a special session if a voucher-like program didn’t pass. Full Story