The latest public education news from The Texas Tribune.
Like in Texas, voucher programs in other states sparked vigorous debates, came with the same promises and faced similar concerns. Not all predictions came true. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9ab2f461a5a521b8c264cb1700a10f2f/Chapa%20Middle%20School%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
Though lawmakers have drafted a bill to increase public school funding and teacher salaries, it cannot pass during the special session unless Abbott adds those issues to his agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f5a7dc79116abbc41f500cb3de684483/0602%20Abbott%20TPPF%20Lege%20Recap%20EL%20TT%2003.jpg)
The Senate also approved Senate Bill 2, which would infuse $5.2 billion to school districts to help them with teacher raises and rising costs. Gov. Greg Abbott said he would add those items to the special session’s agenda once lawmakers approve a voucher program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2367173c5d626a1dc6a11a5c95681d28/Blanco%20Vista%20Elementary%20JV%2016%20TT.jpg)
As Texas enters its third straight school year of coordinated book banning activity, a growing number of districts are targeting library books. Caught in the dragnet: books featuring a “naked” crayon and one with a cartoon butt. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b7698e76ed85a78aeaa4597883ac81e2/RTSITCDN_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg)
The Senate’s main “school choice” bill would prioritize vouchers for children with disabilities, among other underprivileged groups. But advocates and parents raised concerns that voucher recipients who choose private school would no longer be protected by federal law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/884e273feba106f3fd0a628e97c1f6fd/Blanco%20Vista%20Elementary%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
Commissioner of Education Mike Morath has repeatedly waived expansion requirements for charter school networks, allowing them to serve thousands more students, even when they don’t meet academic performance standards. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/968f90216373c7de7d8b324350ae6467/House%20Homeland%20Cmte%20EL%2029_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg)
The proposal would give families who exit the state’s public education system access to $8,000 of taxpayer money each year to pay for their children’s private schooling. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/269a884a2253dd197788f33e95760a06/1007%20Boot%20Vouchers%20Rally%20JS%20TT%2038.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott needs a delicate coalition of Republicans to pass his top priority. But the House and Senate leaders aren’t getting along. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bc4031040e3b161ef8ab86e93abe3783/Phelan%20Gavel%20Day%20One%20BD%20TT%2002.jpg)
As a special session starts with a focus on “school choice” but no mention of public school funding, some teachers said they are even considering leaving the profession. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d39724ea53e782093bf7c2070b12a347/1007%20Boot%20Vouchers%20Rally%20JS%20TT%2016.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott promised that if House Republicans block school choice again, he’d go after them in the primaries Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d34f5e797b5e76a5c7bdc0f8586ecb40/Abbott%20Corpus%20School%20Choice%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Voucher opponents took issue with taxpayer dollars going to less regulated private schools, while proponents said parents can best choose which schools meet their needs and values at a Texas Tribune event. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9d29eac2fadbea22cd74000ef533b279/10-18_EDUSpecialSession-Lead-Title-01-v1.png)
Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a0d2d6f616f8aea6f32329cd04a249a/First_Day_of_86_Lege_2_MG_TT.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the items lawmakers can consider when they return Monday. His agenda also includes COVID vaccine mandates and the Colony Ridge development outside Houston. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed96c91798aa9f1c7f1b25973a760db9/0602%20Abbott%20TPPF%20Lege%20Recap%20EL%20TT%2018.jpg)
For one reading class, Superintendent Mike Miles said instruction would focus on English, even if it meant risking state funding for dual-language programs. Parents say it goes further than that, adding that their kids are receiving no assistance in Spanish at all. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fa5ab60b3749229352f9120f8b42d377/HISD%20Spanish%20DV%20TT%2025.jpg)
The groups work in dozens of school districts across the state, but some public health experts say their curricula can be misleading and biased. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/93fe5adc133243cc5e19dc500a18bd49/SexEd_09.jpg)
The session comes as a rift between the Texas House and the Senate grew following Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, raising questions about the chambers’ ability to compromise on education issues. The governor has threatened to call for more special sessions if lawmakers fail to pass a “school choice” proposal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c74cfc0a854b23bcb512f4c1fe8a32ba/0602%20Abbott%20TPPF%20Lege%20Recap%20EL%20TT%2008.jpg)
Here’s a look back at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival through the eyes of Tribune photographers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac671bb660bb0c8cb0408718bc498b16/0923%20Joe%20Manchin%20TTF23%20EH%2009%20RE-EDIT.jpg)
State Rep. John Bryant said Democrats will need to work together to block the “school choice” bill in October. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bc68466f5feb548ff1f23fb432251685/0923%20House%20Dems%20TFF23%20JS%20TT%2005.jpg)
Miles said he should be held accountable and be fired if the district doesn’t improve academically in the next two years. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/53e321a55924121cebd36283ec66ccf5/0923%20Mike%20Miles%20TTF23%20TT%2004.jpg)
Lawmakers at a Texas Tribune Fest panel found common ground on school funding and teacher pay but took starkly different stances on “school choice.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/632fa802866a13e36b6ce6e5208d53d9/0923%20School%20Choice%20TTF23%20EH%20TT%2003.jpg)