Texas Senate advances bill to shore up teacher pension fund
The bill would increase state, school district and teacher contributions to the fund, and provide a one-time additional check for retirees. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, during a meeting of the Senate State Affairs Committee on March 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers eye a rainy day fund withdrawal that could set a new record
Proposals in the Texas House would spend $6.6 billion from the state’s savings account; the Senate would spend $4.4 billion. Full Story
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Texas House panel advances school finance bill but removes merit pay provision
The $9 billion bill has more than 100 co-sponsors in the House but will need to be reconciled with Senate proposals. Full Story
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![Chairman of the House Public Education Committee and State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, hears public testimonies during the House Public Education Committee meeting on March 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers are prioritizing mental health for school safety. But advocates worry about stigma.
The newfound push this session around school safety and preventing mass shootings is reinvigorating ideas about mental health care for Texas children. But advocates often cringe when legislators make the argument that mental health care is the key to preventing mass shootings. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flowermound, introduces SB 3 on the Senate Floor on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Asking Texas voters to swap higher sales taxes for property tax cuts
Texas voters told candidates they want property tax relief, and it's remarkably expensive. That's why state lawmakers are talking about higher sales taxes. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, discusses public education at an event moderated by Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith in Austin on March 14, 2019. Huberty is chairman of the House Public Education Committee.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
Watch: A conversation with Texas Rep. Dan Huberty, Public Education Committee chair
Watch as we sit down with state Rep. Dan Huberty in a conversation moderated by Texas Tribune co-founder and CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
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Watch our event on the future of Texas public education
We're livestreaming our two-day event in Austin diving into the most pressing issues facing students and educators across Texas. Full Story
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Analysis: The Texas Legislature wasn’t built for harmony. It was built for debate.
As the Texas Legislature digs into the busiest half of the session, early harmony is giving way to difference and debate. The House and Senate are easing into their traditional roles — as rivals. Full Story
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![Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Gov. Greg Abbott addresses members of the Texas legislature and judiciary at his State of the State address in the House chambers at the Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate unveils its first version of a school finance reform bill
The bill is part of a series of proposals designed to slow property tax growth and fix how the state pays for its schools. Full Story
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![Senate Education Committee Chariman and state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, during a committee meeting on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: In step with Texas voters on some things, and out of step on some others
If you study a poll and then look at what the Texas Legislature is doing, you'll see a lot of harmony between lawmakers and their voters. But not always. You might also wonder where the representatives in Austin get some of their ideas. Full Story
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Credit: Photo illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Santa Fe official testifies in somber committee hearing on school safety bills
The proposals that earned the support of lawmakers of all political stripes included ones that strengthen security and beef up mental health initiatives in schools. Full Story
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![Senate Education Committee Chariman and state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, during a committee meeting on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Texas teacher pay emerges as a sticking point between House and Senate
The Senate is proposing $5,000 raises for each teacher and librarian. The House is calling for raising minimum salaries and increasing benefits. Full Story
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![Speaker Dennis Bonnen and state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, with other House members hold a press conference to announce their school finance bill on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Is STAAR too hard on young readers? The test is in lawmakers' crosshairs again.
Two years-old studies questioning the state's standardized test have gained traction in Texas, fueling the fire among educators and parents who argue the test is too high-stakes. Full Story
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![Daniel Saldana, 9th grade student at Elsik High school, looks up during a quiz about biomolecules during an afternoon intervention program on April 19, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House bill would put $9 billion into school finance reform and property tax relief
Members of the Texas House received their first look at the soon-to-be-filed proposal in a one-page summary circulating around the Texas Capitol Monday afternoon. Full Story
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![Rep. Dan Huberty R-Houston speaks to media after the House concurs on school finance bill on August 15, 2017]()
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Texas Senate unanimously passes $5,000 teacher pay raises, adding librarians
The proposal faces an uphill climb in the lower chamber, with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen saying he prefers to give school districts flexibility on addressing teacher pay. Full Story
![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flowermound, introduces SB 3 on the Senate Floor on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Broad Texas school safety bill proposes threat assessment teams, expanded emergency training
It’s unclear how much it would cost to implement all of Sen. Larry Taylor’s proposals. Senate Bill 11 appears to take an unspecified amount from the rainy day fund to help cover the costs. Full Story
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![After an extended evening recess, Sen Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, begins an explanation of the committee substitute to House Bill 21, the school finance bill on Aug. 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott raves about Dallas' teacher incentive pay program. But it's hard to replicate.
Dallas ISD spearheaded a program that floods its low-performing schools with the best resources, including highly rated educators who get paid large stipends. Lawmakers want to see it expanded. Full Story
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![Natasha Boone high fives a student as they went over a story the class was reading Jan. 14, 2019 at Edward Titche Elementary School in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas*.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Texans want voter approval of property tax hikes, says UT/TT Poll
Texans want local governments to get permission for property tax hikes over a set amount and don't think such a restriction would hobble services, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Photo Illustration by Jeff Heimsath / Emily Albracht for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reappoints Education Commissioner Mike Morath
If confirmed by the state Senate, Morath would serve until Jan. 16, 2023. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath speaks to the State Board of Education members during a meeting in Austin on Jan. 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Watch: A conversation on school segregation
On Feb. 26, we sat down for a conversation about the impact of school segregation on public education in San Antonio, moderated by the Tribune's Aliyya Swaby. Full Story
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