Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through Senate
Senate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8613e290335fd42cbdc0a76738a638f0/0205%20Senate%20SB-2%20Debate%20EH%20TT%2006.jpg)
-
![Members of the Texas Senate take up Senate Bill 2, regarding school vouchers, during the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Absenteeism spiked in the pandemic. Texas schools want the state’s help to keep students in the classroom.
Chronically absent students — those who missed at least 10% of their school days — are more likely to drop out, education advocates say. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ab122dfd68b62f1db221777a3a70392/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2032.jpg)
![Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom as they wait for a teacher between periods Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Abbott expected to promote vouchers and other highlights of his 2025 agenda in Sunday speech
After successful campaigns for House allies, the governor is in a position to set an ambitious course for the legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5aa69fac918c12c09d4da0d3954ed649/0114%20Senate%20Opening%20EH%2004%20TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott delivers an address while welcoming state Senators during the opening of the Texas legislative session in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Legal rights groups urge school leaders not to adopt Texas’ Bible-infused curriculum
The coalition of legal organizations told Texas school district leaders that it would “take any action” necessary to protect the rights of students and their families. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7f9c785e9beca941ed96590ad9fe916d/0315%20SXSW%20Bible%20REUTERS.JPG)
![A woman reads her bible before the Exalt Showcase of gospel and Christian music at Central Presbyterian Church at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Film Interactive Festival 2017 in Austin on March 14, 2017.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder -
National test scores show Texas students still lag in math and reading
Texas students' overall math scores dropped from 2022. But English learners and fourth-grade Black students did better than their peers elsewhere. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f591f8bcf201438a091e57fdf3cb8e5b/Classroom%20TK%20TT%2001.jpg)
![FILE: A student in Austin raises a hand in class in April 2013.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick outlines sweeping conservative agenda with list of top 25 legislative priorities
Restrict THC, help with deportations, infuse religion in schools and provide property tax relief – these are among the Patrick priorities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ddf0877de99f3ae9d2318ea13d95cc06/0628%20Second%20Special%20Session%20EL%2010.JPG)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over on the Senate floor during the first day of the second special session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas senators fast-track school voucher bill for full vote
The Senate could vote on the proposal as soon as next week. Democrats on Tuesday criticized the bill saying it fails to prioritize the state’s neediest children. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b13b291f233e1e4245f3e8d02491d80c/0128%20Voucher%20Hearing%20LS%20TT%2008.jpg)
![State Sen. Brandon Creighton, chair of the Senate Committee on Education K-16, lays out the SB2 plan for an education savings account program at a hearing at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 28, 2025.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune -
Social media isn’t the only cause of mental health woes among Texas youth, advocates say
Social media’s danger on youth mental health has captured the attention of Texas lawmakers, at times, eclipsing focus on bigger threats — provider shortages and funding cuts to programs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e9a256c7cfc207f4ac949cf820926159/0116%20Social%20Media%20Icons%20REUTERS.JPG)
![Social media appliations are seen grouped on a mobile device in this illustration photo taken in Warsaw, Poland on 16 January, 2025.]()
Credit: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via REUTERS -
Texas Senate’s voucher proposal would give families $10,000 to fund students’ private school
Senate Bill 2 starts a new debate on a school voucher program in Texas. A funding proposal would allow up to 100,000 K-12 students who want to enroll to a private school to participate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/20fbc9aa3ea29bb2351d164c27ad4061/COVID%20Highland%20Village%20Elem%20ST%20TT%2063.jpg)
![Students in Mrs. Hogan's kindergarten class on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary. Sept. 8, 2020 in Highland Village.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
State lawmakers ask education agency for guidance on how Texas schools can respond to Trump’s immigration plans
More than two dozen Texas Democrats expressed concern about the elimination of a federal policy preventing immigration arrests at schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dced60a073fdb0006d6ecf67cd898314/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2031.jpg)
![Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom as they wait for a teacher between periods Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
School vouchers in Texas: Everything you need to know
Vouchers would let parents use public funds to pay for their kids’ private education. Learn about how they could work and the political battle around them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3db1cc009f8da76a42de3ad50326b38a/0723%20SEISD%20JH%2034.jpg)
![Lorenzo G Alarcon Elementary School received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to create a calming and quiet room with the school counselor in San Elizario, Texas on July 23, 2024.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Many Texas schools take “wait and see” approach to Trump’s mass deportation plans
Schools near the border say it’s hard to prepare for the unknown. Immigration advocates say they should help communities understand students’ rights. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8005c301e16a0c17b0a569ce901186b0/Elementary%20File%20Photo%20JW%20TT%2032.jpg)
![A student draws in an art classroom in Texas.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to extend Texas’ DEI ban to K-12 schools
In 2023, Texas passed a DEI ban at the state’s public universities. Now Abbott wants the state to stop funding diversity programs in K-12 schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a367e9cd06b6b722a2b63e1b1fd3c316/11%20Buffalo%20ISD%20MS%20TT.jpg)
![High school students between classes in the hallway at the high school in Buffalo on March 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texans only Democrats in Congress to vote for bill restricting trans athletes
Republicans accused Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of supporting gender transitions for children throughout the 2024 election cycle, which he said took a political toll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ad6e6f602d330c9f9f061cb40c9689a6/0502%20SB14%20Gender%20Hearing%20LS%2024.jpg)
![Demonstrators protest SB14, a bill to eradicate gender transition healthcare for trans kids in Texas, while the bill is heard in the House at the state Capitol on May 2, 2023.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Legislature is back. Here’s what we’re watching.
From debating school vouchers and improving the state’s water supply to reining in property taxes, the GOP-led body will look to pass its conservative priorities amid fighting within the party. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fbbce63096ea64d81f63ded0de1aefb0/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![State Representatives and their families gather on the House floor on the opening day of the 88th Legislative Session at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
An education ecosystem is being built in Elon Musk’s image. It starts in Bastrop County.
Ad Astra promises to be Musk’s biggest foray into education to date, and, if successful, will add to his already massive footprint in Central Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c78a012847528cbe45c7418f770f573a/20241211_ElonMusk-6.jpg)
![Ad Astra, a Montessori school being opened by Elon Musk in Bastrop, Texas, on Dec. 11, 2024.]()
Credit: Patricia Lim/KUT News -
Texas is silent on whether it will offer summer food assistance for students
After the state missed the Jan. 1 deadline, lawmakers still have time to approve administrative costs before applying for $400 million in federal summer meal assistance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ce76357e2ef1bd13ff40ffe9f6c9c69/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2051.jpg)
![Ector County Independent School District employees serve lunch to Bonham Middle School students Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
2024: The year in photos
A look at some of the best photos from the stories we published over the last year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e664e6188caeb6263779dd11cf7f5bcb/2024%20EOY%20Photos%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A look at some of the best photos from the stories we published over the last year.]()
Credit: Texas Tribune photojournalists -
Look back at some of the best Texas Tribune reads of 2024
Our journalists brought life to the experiences of everyday Texans, held powerful institutions accountable and surfaced stories that went beyond the daily news cycles. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ddd52b72d99f5099a9b191bed3a7449e/0424%20Texas%20Capitol%20AP%2001.jpg)
![The dome of the Texas State Capitol on Thursday, April 24, 2014.]()
Credit: Anneke Els Paterson for The Texas Tribune -
Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services
The request comes after an audit found Texas improperly billed the federal government for reimbursements related to Medicaid-eligible students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/884e273feba106f3fd0a628e97c1f6fd/Blanco%20Vista%20Elementary%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Students backpacks hang off the back of their chairs in an empty classroom at Blanco Vista Elementary School in San Marcos on Monday August, 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune