The latest public education news from The Texas Tribune.
In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: A new map shows graduation rates nationally at the district level, 28 Texas schools are named for Confederate leaders and an interview with Bradley Davis of the University of Texas at Arlington. Full Story
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Over the course of this year's legislative session, House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made their priorities known by what bills got the lowest bill numbers. Take a look at how those proposals fared. Full Story
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The Tribune identified 28 schools in Texas named after Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson and Albert Sidney Johnston. Of those, four have a majority of white students. Full Story
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Soda machines and deep fat fryers are now allowed back in Texas public schools, thanks to Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's reversal of a 10-year ban. But many school districts say they have no appetite for reinstating the unhealthy choices for students. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: Questions are being raised about part-time graders hired to evaluate standardized tests, the enduring success of Sesame Street and an interview with Andrea Brauer of Texans Care for Children. Full Story
The conservative wing of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's party wasn't thrilled with his first legislative session, objecting most notably to his "godless" pre-kindergarten plan. But Abbott seems to be mending fences by vetoing two measures the Tea Party disliked. Full Story
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Under a law passed this year by the Legislature, some Texas school districts will be required to have cameras in special education classrooms. The cameras are meant to ensure safety, but some say it's an unfunded mandate for districts. Full Story
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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Thursday restored the option for public schools to serve certain fried foods and soda by lifting a decade-old statewide ban on deep fryers and soda machines. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: States are spending less on schools and with less equity among districts, a legislative leader on K-12 education calls it a day and an interview with North Cooc of the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
Learn more about what happened to pre-kindergarten reform, school choice legislation and other public education issues using our Texas Legislative Guide. Full Story
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When the Texas Legislature tackles a long overdue overhaul of the state’s school finance system, it will have to do without the lawmaker who has shepherded its two chambers through complex education issues for the last two sessions. Full Story
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A controversial plan to start assigning public schools A-through-F grades cleared both chambers of the Texas Legislature on Sunday. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: Disparities persist decades after Brown v. Board of Education, it's crunch time at the Legislature and an interview with Paul Carrola of the University of Texas at El Paso. Full Story
At our 5/21 conversation with state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about big issues that are unresolved with a week to go in the session. Full Story
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For the first time in three decades, a new company will develop and administer the state-required exams Texas students begin taking in the third grade. Full Story
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After a heated late-night debate, a controversial plan to start assigning public schools A-through-F grades cleared the Texas House on Thursday. Full Story
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A months-long effort to reform the problem-plagued school finance system came to an end Thursday as House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock withdrew a bill proposing fixes less than an hour into a scheduled debate. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: Gap emerges among states on pre-K services offered, lawmakers eye ending Top 10 Percent scholarships and an interview with Shanna Peeples, the 2015 National Teacher of the Year. Full Story
A key early education bill backed by Gov. Greg Abbott setting up grants to encourage higher quality pre-kindergarten programs has now cleared both chambers of the Legislature. Full Story
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After surviving Tea Party-backed opposition in the House, the early education bill that Gov. Greg Abbott has called his top priority this session could face its final test in the Texas Senate as early as Thursday. Full Story
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