Past Contributions

• UT Releases Principles For Technology-Enhanced Education

  By Jody Serrano Aug. 16, 2013

  UT President Bill Powers released a report this week outlining five guiding principals to promote technology-enhanced education. Full Story 

• Turner: Needy Should Apply for Electricity Rebates

  By Jody Serrano July 25, 2013

  State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, on Thursday urged low-income Texans to participate in a program that provides rebates on their electric bills. The Legislature increased the discount to 82 percent this year, but the program is set to expire. Full Story 

• Dewhurst, Patrick Continue Push to End CSCOPE

  By Morgan Smith and Jody Serrano July 24, 2013

  An extended drama over a controversial curriculum tool used by Texas public schools took a new turn Wednesday as Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst entered the fray with a letter to the State Board of Education and Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick pushed to add the issue to the special session agenda. Full Story 

• Leave HB 5 to School Districts, Aycock Tells SBOE

  By Jody Serrano July 19, 2013

  Lawmakers wanted flexibility for local school districts to “have it their way” in implementing new high school curriculum requirements, House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock told the State Board of Education on Friday. Full Story 

• Study: Businesses Bear Brunt of Texas Taxes

  By Jody Serrano July 18, 2013

  A new study has found that Texas businesses pay 61.5 of the total tax revenue collected by the state — 20 percent more than the national average. Full Story 

• CSCOPE Changes Focus of Confusion at SBOE Meeting

  By Morgan Smith and Jody Serrano July 17, 2013

  UPDATED: The State Board of Education will take up the issue of whether school districts can continue to use lessons from a controversial state curriculum system at its September meeting. And the Texas Attorney General's office, along with Education Chairman Dan Patrick, has requested an official state audit of the program. Full Story 

• Veterans Fight to Get College Credit for Service

  By Jody Serrano July 17, 2013

  Lawmakers this year failed to pass a bill to make permanent a program that gives veterans college credit for service. Education and workforce officials in Texas say it just makes sense to give veterans credit for their time in the field. Full Story 

• Fruit, Veggies, Whole Grains Coming to Public School Vending Machines

  By Jody Serrano July 16, 2013

  Texas students looking for sugary, high-fat snacks will instead find whole grains or vegetables on the menu in 2014. Full Story 

• House OKs Life With Parole for Juvenile Murderers

  By Brandi Grissom and Jody Serrano July 11, 2013

  UPDATED: Seventeen-year-olds convicted of capital murder could soon be subject to a mandatory sentence of life with parole eligiblity after 40 years under a bill lawmakers approved on Thursday. Full Story 

• House Panel Passes Campus Construction Bill

  By Jody Serrano July 11, 2013

  Legislators are continuing efforts to pass a bill that would help colleges and universities across Texas move forward with construction and improvement projects, even though the issue is not on the call for the special session. Full Story