public education

Variety of Gun-Related Bills on Table for Session

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project Jan. 17, 2013

At least 20 bills have been filed or proposed by Texas lawmakers on the subject of guns, with most of the legislation aiming to widen access to guns. Here's a roundup of the proposals. Full Story
Texplainer: Will Legislature Take On School Funding Despite Trial?

By Elena Schneider Jan. 16, 2013

With a major school finance trial under way, lawmakers are reluctant to take up public education funding before a court ruling on the matter. What they'll do in the meantime remains uncertain. Full Story
Preschool Part of Education Funding Scramble

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Jan. 14, 2013

In light of the improved economic forecast announced recently by the state comptroller, education advocates are asking for more money to go to Texas' public education system — the state's preschools included. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 12, 2013

Batheja on growing calls for infrastructure spending, Dehn and Rocha report on voters’ legislative wishes, Murphy counts noses in the new Legislature, KUT’s Philpott sniffs out a push for tax relief, M. Smith tracks House Speaker Joe Straus after his re-election, Kalifa’s lovely time-lapse look at the Legislature’s first day, Aaronson on the Medicaid expansion, Aguilar on hopes for immigration reform, Grissom on the tribulations of Kerry Max Cook, Hamilton looks into a college curriculum battle, and E. Smith’s TribLive interview with Michael Williams: The best of our best for the week of Jan. 7, 2013. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Dewhurst: Texas Should Fund Teacher Firearms Training

By Morgan Smith Jan. 11, 2013

In the wake of the Connecticut school shooting, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst called Friday for the state to consider funding specialized firearms training for school employees. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
TribLive: A Conversation with Michael Williams

By Evan Smith Jan. 11, 2013

Full video of my Jan. 10 TribLive conversation with Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams. Full Story
Williams on Accountability and Testing

By Evan Smith Jan. 10, 2013

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams addressed the hottest topic in public education in Texas today: the state's standardized testing regimen. Full Story
State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More College Readiness

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

Midland educators say the one-size-fits-all college readiness plan has run its course. They're working with area lawmakers to push legislation that would allow districts to offer different curriculum tracks, to better prepare students for the next step in their careers. Full Story
TribLive: Williams on Guns in Schools

By Evan Smith Jan. 10, 2013

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams talked about possible legislation that would increase access to firearms for teachers and other school personnel. Full Story
State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More Choices for Students

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 9, 2013

When it comes to choice in education, some legislators are thinking about more than school vouchers. Lawmakers representing West Texas will be filing proposals that would allow students to choose career paths that benefit local industries. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn / Todd Wiseman
Land Board Votes to Transfer $300 Million to School Fund

By Morgan Smith Jan. 8, 2013

The School Land Board voted Tuesday to release $300 million into the Available School Fund for public schools. The funds had been caught in a standoff between the Legislature and the board, whose members include Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond
School Finance Trial Will Influence Session, With or Without a Final Decision

By Morgan Smith Jan. 1, 2013

A final decision in the school finance trial against the state involving more than two-thirds of its districts and charter schools likely won’t happen until after the lights go out in the 83rd Legislature. But that doesn’t mean what’s happening inside of the courtroom now won’t have an impact on policy under the pink dome. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
To Boost School Security, Lawmakers Push to Increase Access to Guns

By Morgan Smith Dec. 28, 2012

Some Texas legislators are emphasizing the need for teachers and other school personnel to have increased access to firearms on campus. Ahead of the 83rd legislative session, bills have been proposed with that mission in mind. Full Story

Credit: Tamir Kalifa
Year in Review: Education

By Reeve Hamilton and Morgan Smith Dec. 26, 2012

For public education in Texas, 2012 was the year of accountability. At the state's universities, the competition for dollars to boost research and status heated up. Here's a look back at the year's biggest stories about public and higher education. Full Story
Texas Weekly Newsreel: Money for Schools, Guns for Schools

By Justin Dehn Dec. 22, 2012

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, unveiled their school choice legislation, without many financial details and hardly a word about vouchers. And last week's schoolhouse shootings in Connecticut prompted Texas legislators to propose changes in the state's gun laws. Full Story
Dewhurst, Patrick Discuss Plans for "Sweeping" School Reform

By Morgan Smith Dec. 19, 2012

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Dan Patrick gave the first details of what they promised would be a wide-ranging set of proposals for public education policy during the upcoming legislative session. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Teacher Quality is Focus of Group's Reform Effort

By Morgan Smith Dec. 19, 2012

A report released Wednesday, the result of a year-long effort from a commission of top education thinkers, offers a sweeping set of recommendations aimed at improving the teaching profession in the state. Full Story
As Fallout From Scandal Continues, El Paso ISD Looks to Aid Dropouts

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project Dec. 19, 2012

As the El Paso school district continues to reel from a testing scandal, one district program is focusing on the students who dropped out as a result of pressure from school officials. Full Story
Dewhurst, Patrick to Unveil School Reform Bill

By Morgan Smith Dec. 18, 2012

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, on Wednesday will unveil education reform legislation that some expect to reignite a fiery debate over the potential use of school vouchers in Texas. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Chris Cole
Villalba Will File Bill to Allow Teachers to Carry Concealed Guns

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project Dec. 18, 2012

In response to last week's Connecticut school shooting, state Rep.-elect Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, says he will file legislation to allow public school teachers to carry concealed weapons while on campus. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman