The latest public education news from The Texas Tribune.
The two school districts in this Central Texas town headed in opposite directions after Gov. Greg Abbott ended the statewide mask mandate, sparking heated debates over safety and government responsibility. Full Story
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With more students going back to classrooms and no more statewide mask mandate, nurses say their jobs are set to become even more challenging. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers expected to be sweating over a very tight budget right now, after strong early signs that the pandemic would stall the economy. But an improved economy and a huge infusion of federal aid is erasing those fears. Full Story
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A 2015 law that allowed licensed adults to carry concealed weapons on college campuses sparked widespread protest. Now one legislator wants to extend the practice to include public schools and some charter schools. Full Story
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School districts must keep or increase the rate of students learning in person in order to avoid losing funds, Gov. Greg Abbott and education officials announced Thursday. Full Story
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With Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide mask mandate ending next week, some school districts are likely to face contentious discussions about whether to continue requiring masks in schools. Full Story
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The change in eligibility comes the day after the Biden administration urged all states to prioritize teachers. Full Story
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Every few weeks, teams of teachers from one middle school knock on doors looking for students who have disengaged with online classes. It seems to work. Full Story
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Some superintendents say they will continue requiring students and staff to wear masks as they await further guidance from the Texas Education Agency. Full Story
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Texas voters also think the state spends too little on mental health, and public education, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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School districts report flooded classrooms and gyms, and teachers have lost supplies and learning materials. The damage is further disrupting a school year already upended by the pandemic. Full Story
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Use our database to learn about Texas public school districts and campuses, including hundreds of charter schools and alternative campuses. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the state waived accountability ratings for the 2019-20 school year. Full Story
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The pandemic had already destabilized parents, teachers and students. Now the winter storm's damage to buildings is preventing schools from even serving as lifelines for students in need of shelter and food. Full Story
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There will be few consequences if parents worried about the health risks of in-person testing keep their elementary and middle school students in virtual learning at home. But high schoolers still must pass certain exams to graduate. Full Story
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Dutton joined The Texas Tribune on Thursday for a conversation moderated by Aliyya Swaby, the Tribune's public education reporter. Full Story
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Morath spoke with The Texas Tribune about on-campus and virtual instruction, school funding and the STAAR exam. Full Story
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With assignments out, legislation that has been filed can be referred to committees for potential hearings. The committees overseeing public education, budget writing and redistricting are among those with new chairs. Full Story
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Administrators, school staff and uncredentialed stand-ins are being sent into classrooms to cover for teachers who fall ill or have to isolate. But even those improvisations aren't keeping classrooms fully staffed. Full Story
Lawmakers have filed legislation that would ban transgender girls and women who attend public K-12 schools, colleges and universities from playing on single-sex sports teams designated for girls and women. Full Story
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School districts can set up sites outside of their schools, including performing arts centers, hotels and recreation centers where they can “ensure equitable access and maintain test security.” Full Story
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