The latest education news from The Texas Tribune.
UPDATED: Asked why the state had delayed a transition away from lower passing standards on state exams, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams told state lawmakers Tuesday that classroom instruction had failed to meet the rigor demanded by the new tests. Full Story
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Texas' education commissioner announced on Friday that the state would suspend a law that requires fifth- and eighth-graders to pass end-of-year math exams to advance to the next grade level. Full Story
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For-profit teacher certification companies are flourishing in Texas. But as the industry grows, so do questions about the state's ability to control the quality of training the programs provide. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: U.S. slow to improve math instruction, testing the Good Behavior Game and an interview with Bonny Cain of the State Board for Educator Certification. Full Story
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In the second year of a new school accountability system, nine out of 10 Texas districts met state standards, according to ratings released by the Texas Education Agency on Friday. The 2014 ratings show a slight decline from last year. Full Story
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In December, the Texas Education Agency moved to shutter six charter school operators under a new law. Nearly 10 months later, three of those schools remain open — fighting a process they say is overly simplistic. Full Story
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Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, calls for reducing high-stakes testing in a new plan for Texas schools. The campaign of her Republican opponent, Dan Patrick, said the plan would do nothing to help turn around underperforming schools. Full Story
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As Texas education officials announced the third year of record-breaking high school graduation rates on Tuesday, critics continued to raise questions about the method the state uses to calculate them. Full Story
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Many unaccompanied minors fleeing violence in Central America remain in Texas, and public school administrators face the challenge of providing an education for them. Full Story
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With the launch of a new initiative on Monday, the Texas State Technical College System could help revolutionize how colleges align their curriculum with workforce demands and help their students match up better with employers’ needs. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: poor districts can't afford good textbooks, new teacher evaluations delayed and an interview with HD Chambers, Alief ISD superintendent. Full Story
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams told federal education officials the state would take an additional year to pilot a new teacher evaluation system based in part on student standardized test performance. Full Story
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Stacked up against other states, Texas public schools could win the best-bang-for-your-buck competition. The state spends less than most others, and its students perform better than many. But the commitment to fiscal restraint has come with its own burdens for teachers. Full Story
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Over the last decade, Texas students have made steady progress on a number of academic measures. But in recent years, that improvement has begun to stall. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: schools prepare for influx of child migrants, giving boys a better emotional toolbox and an interview with María Robledo Montecel of IDRA. Full Story
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams has effectively overruled a vote by the State Board of Education to deny an Arizona-based charter school's expansion into the Dallas area. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: Polls show support for education reform, a school lunch controversy and an interview with former Texas Education Commissioner Mike Moses. Full Story
In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: a new focus on chronically absent teachers, using babies to teach empathy and an interview with Rice University's Linda McSpadden McNeil. Full Story
Inadequate supervision from the state has led to "grossly deficient" English language instruction for Texas public school students, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: A new app points to different methods of teaching math in a digital age, and the federal government issues new guidelines on undocumented students. Full Story