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ACLU, other groups sue to block Texas' DEI ban on K-12 public schools
Read full article: ACLU, other groups sue to block Texas' DEI ban on K-12 public schoolsThe suit alleges the new state law unconstitutionally silences the viewpoints of students and teachers. The law’s supporters say DEI programs use public funds to promote political agendas.
A rigorous accreditation program inspired Texas’ camp reforms. Here’s what that process looks like.
Read full article: A rigorous accreditation program inspired Texas’ camp reforms. Here’s what that process looks like.More than 75 Texas camps have met dozens of safety standards to become accredited by the American Camp Association, which can be a lengthy and costly process.
More than 800 new laws will go into effect in Texas on Sept. 1. Here are some of the significant ones.
Read full article: More than 800 new laws will go into effect in Texas on Sept. 1. Here are some of the significant ones.New laws range from school vouchers and water infrastructure funding to a ban on city and county-funded abortion travel funds.
1 in 4 Texas school districts sign up for new Bible-infused curriculum
Read full article: 1 in 4 Texas school districts sign up for new Bible-infused curriculumThe numbers may grow as the state collects more data. Some districts adopted the plan not for its religious emphasis but for more funding and to better align with teaching requirements.
House Democrats’ frustration with STAAR bill highlights divide over how new test should look
Read full article: House Democrats’ frustration with STAAR bill highlights divide over how new test should lookDemocrats say recent changes to the bill give too much power to the TEA and fall short of meaningfully easing the pressures of standardized testing.
“Bathroom bill” advances in Texas House days after tensions flared at hearing
Read full article: “Bathroom bill” advances in Texas House days after tensions flared at hearingSenate Bill 8, which now heads to the House floor, would restrict which bathrooms in government buildings transgender people would be allowed to use.
“My daughter was stolen from me": Grieving parents point to Texas camp failures at Capitol hearing
Read full article: “My daughter was stolen from me": Grieving parents point to Texas camp failures at Capitol hearingSenate Bill 1, which would require more oversight of emergency plans and evacuation procedures at summer camps, was advanced after the emotional hearing Wednesday.
Vaccine exemption requests in Texas spike in July, as some experts fear more families will opt out
Read full article: Vaccine exemption requests in Texas spike in July, as some experts fear more families will opt outFederal funding cuts to immunization efforts and a new law that allows exemption forms to be downloaded, instead of mailed, could drive up exemptions in the future.
Five Texas school districts at risk of a state takeover after ratings’ release
Read full article: Five Texas school districts at risk of a state takeover after ratings’ releaseThe state can take control of a school district if at least one of its campuses receives a failing grade five years in a row.
Four-day school weeks are on the rise as Texas districts look for teacher perks on a tight budget
Read full article: Four-day school weeks are on the rise as Texas districts look for teacher perks on a tight budgetMore than 500 schools are using four-day school weeks, a dramatic increase from two years ago driven by fierce competition for educators amid a statewide teacher shortage.
Texas released two years of A-F ratings for schools and districts. See how yours did.
Read full article: Texas released two years of A-F ratings for schools and districts. See how yours did.In the 2024-25 school year, 14% of Texas school districts got an A, 71% got a B or a C, and 15% got a D or an F, new state data shows.
Trump vowed to end “wasteful” federal spending. Beloved Texas school programs got caught in the middle.
Read full article: Trump vowed to end “wasteful” federal spending. Beloved Texas school programs got caught in the middle.Sweeping and sudden funding changes this year put two revered after-school programs for low-income Texans and a rural teacher training initiative at risk of closure.
Midland school board votes to restore school name honoring Confederate general
Read full article: Midland school board votes to restore school name honoring Confederate generalFive years ago, during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the board voted to change the high school to Legacy High. On Tuesday, it reversed course.
After local agencies release Uvalde shooting records, calls continue for Texas DPS to follow suit
Read full article: After local agencies release Uvalde shooting records, calls continue for Texas DPS to follow suitLocal records released this week — after a yearslong lawsuit —affirm previous reporting about law enforcement’s flawed response to Texas’ deadliest school shooting.
Five years after shedding Confederate moniker, a West Texas high school may be Lee High again
Read full article: Five years after shedding Confederate moniker, a West Texas high school may be Lee High againThe Midland school district rebranded Robert E. Lee High as Legacy High in 2020, part of a nationwide trend to distance public places from the Confederacy.
Harris County leader wants voters to extend child care efforts as pandemic funding runs out
Read full article: Harris County leader wants voters to extend child care efforts as pandemic funding runs outThe debate over whether to ask voters to cover the program comes as the nation’s third-largest county faces a projected $270M budget shortfall.
A fight to save an Austin middle school puts families at odds with Texas over how to rate schools
Read full article: A fight to save an Austin middle school puts families at odds with Texas over how to rate schoolsLegislators have a chance this summer to replace the STAAR test. What they come up with will decide the fate of schools like Dobie Middle School, where low test scores have pushed the Austin district to intervene.
Texas education board approves Native Studies course, skirting concerns about state’s K-12 DEI ban
Read full article: Texas education board approves Native Studies course, skirting concerns about state’s K-12 DEI banThe long-awaited vote survived objections from the panel’s most right-leaning Republicans, who criticized the lessons as “un-American woke indoctrination.”
Did Texas lawmakers do enough for children with disabilities? These child care advocates say no.
Read full article: Did Texas lawmakers do enough for children with disabilities? These child care advocates say no.Lawmakers added $100 million to a child care scholarship program but failed to expand access to free preschool for children with disabilities.
Texas students make gains in reading but struggle with math, STAAR scores show
Read full article: Texas students make gains in reading but struggle with math, STAAR scores showThe mixed-bag results showed early literacy improvements, a key indicator of future academic success, but underline the challenges of preparing children for STEM-related jobs.
Texas parents and teachers worry bills to root out liberal sway from public schools pave the way for conservative bias
Read full article: Texas parents and teachers worry bills to root out liberal sway from public schools pave the way for conservative biasAdvocates say the bills will give parents more power over their children’s schools. Critics say they don’t give parents anything they didn’t already have and will only strain their relationship with teachers.
Texas high school students’ STAAR scores show gains in STEM fields, struggles in reading and literacy
Read full article: Texas high school students’ STAAR scores show gains in STEM fields, struggles in reading and literacyEducation policy experts say the results align with Texas’ workforce goals but note that students still need help.
Texas will begin a summer lunch program in 2027, but only if feds don’t raise costs
Read full article: Texas will begin a summer lunch program in 2027, but only if feds don’t raise costsThe program would give low income families an extra $120 per child for summer lunches, but federal debate about food benefits could endanger the program.
Texas’ undocumented college students no longer qualify for in-state tuition
Read full article: Texas’ undocumented college students no longer qualify for in-state tuitionWithin hours of a federal lawsuit targeting Texas’ policy of letting undocumented students qualify for lower public tuition rates, the 24-year-old law was no more.
Gov. Greg Abbott signs $8.5 billion public education funding plan into law. Here’s how it works.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott signs $8.5 billion public education funding plan into law. Here’s how it works.The spending package will give schools more money for staff pay raises, operational expenses, special education and more.
From vouchers to a cellphone ban, this year’s lawmaking session brought transformative changes to Texas schools
Read full article: From vouchers to a cellphone ban, this year’s lawmaking session brought transformative changes to Texas schoolsAn agenda driven by conservative priorities, schools’ financial duress and teacher needs led to an $8.5 billion boost, new discipline rules, more Christianity in classrooms and a DEI ban.
School vouchers, THC ban, property tax cuts: Here’s what Texas lawmakers did in the 2025 regular session
Read full article: School vouchers, THC ban, property tax cuts: Here’s what Texas lawmakers did in the 2025 regular sessionThe Legislature wrapped up without the same drama that defined the end of the last two sessions, with state GOP leaders checking off nearly everything on their to-do lists.
Texas Education Agency extends Houston school district takeover through 2027
Read full article: Texas Education Agency extends Houston school district takeover through 2027Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath applauded the district for its improvements while citing the need for more time to “achieve lasting success for students.”
How RFK Jr., Democrats and Republicans found common ground over food labels in Texas
Read full article: How RFK Jr., Democrats and Republicans found common ground over food labels in TexasTexas is poised to lead the country in an initiative to inform denizens of what’s in their food. Food industry experts say it’s going too far.
Democrats lash out as Legislature bans school clubs that support gay teens
Read full article: Democrats lash out as Legislature bans school clubs that support gay teensTensions flared and the debate turned personal as Republicans said their bill empowered parents and denied predictions that the ban will endanger children.
Texas Legislature approves $338 billion two-year spending plan with a focus on property tax relief
Read full article: Texas Legislature approves $338 billion two-year spending plan with a focus on property tax reliefA boost in public school spending, school vouchers, and money for water systems are other highlights of the state budget, which was bolstered by a $24 billion surplus.
Bill that would ban cellphones in Texas public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
Read full article: Bill that would ban cellphones in Texas public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s deskResearch shows cellphones interfere with students' ability to focus in class. Texas would join at least nine other states that ban students from using their phones during the school day.
Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant funding
Read full article: Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant fundingGov. Greg Abbott has already said he intends to sign the bill, which will give schools funding for salary increases, special education, teacher preparation and operational costs.
TribCast: Dan Patrick and Greg Abbott are getting what they want this legislative session
Read full article: TribCast: Dan Patrick and Greg Abbott are getting what they want this legislative sessionIn this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor talk with politics reporter Jasper Scherer about education funding, a THC ban and the success of conservative priorities this year.
An East Texas community grapples with school closures as education options shift
Read full article: An East Texas community grapples with school closures as education options shiftThe schools were closed last week after years of declining enrollment. The school communities said increased choices were to blame.
Bill giving Texas parents, school boards more control over library books heads to Gov. Greg Abbott
Read full article: Bill giving Texas parents, school boards more control over library books heads to Gov. Greg AbbottSenate Bill 13 would require school boards or advisory councils to approve new books and review complaints. In most cases only 50 parents’ approval would be needed to create the oversight councils.
Legislature clears the way for Texas Lottery to continue under a different state agency
Read full article: Legislature clears the way for Texas Lottery to continue under a different state agencySB 3070, which awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, would move the lottery game to Texas’ Department of Licensing and Regulation and includes new restrictions on ticket purchases.
Texas will require public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments under bill signed by governor
Read full article: Texas will require public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments under bill signed by governorGov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10, even though a similar Louisiana law was deemed unconstitutional. Supporters say Christianity is core to U.S. history.
Texas House, Senate will seek middle ground on bill to scrap STAAR test
Read full article: Texas House, Senate will seek middle ground on bill to scrap STAAR testThe chambers differ on how much power districts should have to push back in courts over their accountability ratings. They risk keeping STAAR by default if they don’t reach an agreement.
$8.5 billion school funding package passes Texas Senate
Read full article: $8.5 billion school funding package passes Texas SenateThe legislation includes new pots of money for teacher raises and other school costs like insurance and transportation. It now heads to the House, where leaders say it will pass.
Classroom violence went up in Texas after the pandemic. Is more discipline the answer?
Read full article: Classroom violence went up in Texas after the pandemic. Is more discipline the answer?Texas lawmakers are poised to make it easier to suspend disruptive students. But some teachers and school psychologists say discipline alone won’t meet the mental health needs at the root of their behavior.
Bill to teach Texas kids the dangers of communism — but not fascism — clears the Legislature
Read full article: Bill to teach Texas kids the dangers of communism — but not fascism — clears the LegislatureThe bill won bipartisan support despite efforts from multiple Democrats that would have also required students to learn about fascism and Nazism.
Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding deal
Read full article: Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding dealThe deal appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools, with money earmarked for teacher pay and overhead costs.
Texas Senate panel approves $8 billion school funding plan as it seeks middle ground with House
Read full article: Texas Senate panel approves $8 billion school funding plan as it seeks middle ground with HouseThe proposal would heavily invest in teacher pay and special education. It includes a modest $55 increase to schools' base per-student funding, significantly lower than what the House had sought.
Clock is ticking for Texas lawmakers to settle differences on $8 billion public school funding package
Read full article: Clock is ticking for Texas lawmakers to settle differences on $8 billion public school funding packageSenators will hold a hearing Thursday on their counterproposal to the House's school funding bill. House Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the upper chamber for not moving faster to advance the legislation.
Pressing deadlines, unfinished business: Where the Legislature stands on abortion, water, property tax and more
Read full article: Pressing deadlines, unfinished business: Where the Legislature stands on abortion, water, property tax and moreA raft of social conservative priorities backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hang in the balance, including efforts to infuse more religion into public schools.
Texas lawmakers debating DEI ban in K-12 schools ask: Do students benefit from teachers who look like them?
Read full article: Texas lawmakers debating DEI ban in K-12 schools ask: Do students benefit from teachers who look like them?Conservative lawmakers say DEI efforts are discriminatory and push liberal ideologies on children. Critics point to research showing a diverse teacher body helps students succeed academically.
It’s not just about vouchers and school funding. Here are other Texas public education bills you should track.
Read full article: It’s not just about vouchers and school funding. Here are other Texas public education bills you should track.Student discipline, uncertified teachers and school bans on DEI and cellphones are some of the topics being debated at the Texas Legislature this session.
After a sometimes graphic debate, Texas House advances bill limiting kids’ access to sexually explicit books in libraries
Read full article: After a sometimes graphic debate, Texas House advances bill limiting kids’ access to sexually explicit books in librariesThe bill would bar those under 18 from checking out books with sexually explicit material without parental permission.
Texas’ youngest learners are behind in math and reading. A pair of bills aims to get them back on track.
Read full article: Texas’ youngest learners are behind in math and reading. A pair of bills aims to get them back on track.Students who are behind in third grade rarely catch up. Texas lawmakers want to intervene earlier.
Lawmakers want to expand Texas’ teacher pay raise program. Many educators will still be left out.
Read full article: Lawmakers want to expand Texas’ teacher pay raise program. Many educators will still be left out.The Teacher Incentive Allotment gives raises to teachers based on performance. But it leaves out many educators and school staff who contribute to students' success.
School board races across Texas deal losses for many conservatives
Read full article: School board races across Texas deal losses for many conservativesIssues about control of book purchases and how curriculums teach race and gender have led to change on many boards, including Keller, Katy and Mansfield ISDs.
Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work.
Read full article: Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work.Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.
Texas strips protections for teachers, parents who share “obscene” material with children
Read full article: Texas strips protections for teachers, parents who share “obscene” material with childrenA fiery debate on the House floor Friday gave way to the Senate Bill 412’s final vote. Supporters say it’s needed to protect children.
How Greg Abbott took a flailing school voucher movement and turned it into a winning issue
Read full article: How Greg Abbott took a flailing school voucher movement and turned it into a winning issueAbbott tapped into a powerful national conservative movement and his own campaign war chest to turn turned legislative races into multimillion-dollar affairs.
Plans advance for $10 billion Exxon plastics plant on the Texas coast
Read full article: Plans advance for $10 billion Exxon plastics plant on the Texas coastOfficials at a rural school district voted on Tuesday to begin developing a tax break agreement intended to draw Exxon to their stretch of the Gulf Coast north of Corpus Christi.
A 20-hour wait to speak: A pre-dawn House panel takes up Ten Commandments bill
Read full article: A 20-hour wait to speak: A pre-dawn House panel takes up Ten Commandments billDozens of people who signed up to speak were ready at 4 a.m. to debate whether public school classrooms should have to display the Ten Commandments.
Texas House approves antisemitism bill in response to pro-Palestinian protests
Read full article: Texas House approves antisemitism bill in response to pro-Palestinian protestsThe bill, which would require schools to use a definition of antisemitism when considering discipline for students, will soon head over to Abbott’s desk.
A now-discarded plan to split Keller ISD caused a stir. Lawmakers now want clear rules on how to divide districts.
Read full article: A now-discarded plan to split Keller ISD caused a stir. Lawmakers now want clear rules on how to divide districts.A House bill would require school districts to hold an election before breaking into smaller entities.
Texas students say K-12 DEI ban and other anti-LGBTQ+ bills threaten their safety, voice and mental health
Read full article: Texas students say K-12 DEI ban and other anti-LGBTQ+ bills threaten their safety, voice and mental healthStudents are concerned the legislation could silence supportive teachers, dismantle safe spaces, lead to overenforcement and prevent honest conversations about identity.
Texas school districts got their first A-F grades in five years. See how your school did here.
Read full article: Texas school districts got their first A-F grades in five years. See how your school did here.The Texas Education Agency released the 2022-23 school year ratings on Thursday after a 19-month legal battle over how those ratings are calculated.
1 in 5 Texas schools got a D or F rating under new performance standards
Read full article: 1 in 5 Texas schools got a D or F rating under new performance standardsFailing grades for districts were made public for the first time since 2019. They showed schools with the poorest students were more likely to get a low score.
School districts stay quiet as lawmakers push to limit when they can sue the state
Read full article: School districts stay quiet as lawmakers push to limit when they can sue the stateSchool leaders have privately criticized a bill that would make it harder to contest their performance ratings in court. But they did not testify against it to avoid lawmakers’ ire.
“It’s what’s best for a very select few”: Some Texans are skeptical about vouchers as they near the finish line
Read full article: “It’s what’s best for a very select few”: Some Texans are skeptical about vouchers as they near the finish lineTexas Republican lawmakers in regions known for support of public schools defended voting for vouchers, saying they gained leverage to seek concessions.
Dan Patrick endorses Texas House’s voucher plan, clearing path to final approval
Read full article: Dan Patrick endorses Texas House’s voucher plan, clearing path to final approvalThe lieutenant governor proposes that the Texas Senate adopt the House bill, which would eliminate a negotiation over the two versions and cement the victory for supporters.
In private school voucher push, Gov. Abbott breaks through by playing hardball
Read full article: In private school voucher push, Gov. Abbott breaks through by playing hardballAnti-voucher Republicans said they voted for the bill so they could fight to improve it, and also to fend off political retribution.
In historic first, Texas House approves private school voucher program
Read full article: In historic first, Texas House approves private school voucher programThe bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.
Texas bill increasing public school funding and teacher pay gets final House approval
Read full article: Texas bill increasing public school funding and teacher pay gets final House approvalThe lower chamber overwhelmingly voted in favor of House Bill 2, a sweeping $8 billion piece of legislation that would also limit schools’ reliance on teachers without formal classroom training.
Texas Senate panel advances bill that gives schools more latitude to discipline students
Read full article: Texas Senate panel advances bill that gives schools more latitude to discipline studentsHouse Bill 6 is a response to reports of more violent classroom disruptions after the pandemic. It lowers the bar for when schools can discipline for the state’s homeless and youngest students.
Texas House Democrats could hold GOP priorities hostage to force statewide school vouchers vote
Read full article: Texas House Democrats could hold GOP priorities hostage to force statewide school vouchers voteFrom The Blast: More than 50 House Democrats have signed on to a plan to spike all constitutional amendments unless the House allows voters to decide whether school vouchers will be legalized.
Texas Republican lawmakers unwilling to change abortion laws to address doomed pregnancies
Read full article: Texas Republican lawmakers unwilling to change abortion laws to address doomed pregnanciesFor the first time since Texas outlawed nearly all abortions, lawmakers are clarifying the “life of mother” exception. But they don’t plan to address cases where the fetus won’t survive.
Trump wants to dismantle the Education Department. That could hurt students with disabilities in Texas.
Read full article: Trump wants to dismantle the Education Department. That could hurt students with disabilities in Texas.In a state with a checkered history with federal special education law, advocates say Texas students will see an erosion of their disability rights protections.
Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas House
Read full article: Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas HouseThe House Public Education Committee voted to advance a pair of priority bills to create education savings accounts and to raise how much state money public school districts receive.
Ken Paxton wants Dallas school officials under oath on transgender athlete policy
Read full article: Ken Paxton wants Dallas school officials under oath on transgender athlete policyPaxton’s office launched an investigation into the district’s policy after an administrator was caught on tape discussing a possible loophole in the state’s ban.
Texas officials’ claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal money
Read full article: Texas officials’ claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal moneyA Tribune analysis also found the state’s share of the funds that schools receive per student significantly decreased in the last decade until recently.
Jewish Texans disagree on how to combat antisemitism in schools during hearing on Senate bill
Read full article: Jewish Texans disagree on how to combat antisemitism in schools during hearing on Senate billLawmakers propose addressing antisemitism by requiring schools to use a set definition. Critics say the measure will stifle speech.
Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discrimination
Read full article: Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discriminationSupporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit.
Texas AG Ken Paxton accuses Coppell ISD of violating Texas’ “critical race theory” ban
Read full article: Texas AG Ken Paxton accuses Coppell ISD of violating Texas’ “critical race theory” banThe attorney general office’s lawsuit is based on an undercover video published in February by a conservative activist group.
Lawmakers want to give schools more leeway to suspend Texas’ youngest and homeless students
Read full article: Lawmakers want to give schools more leeway to suspend Texas’ youngest and homeless studentsThe proposal aims to make working conditions safer for teachers but critics worry it could push the state’s most vulnerable students out of the classroom.
Texas bill would ban K-12 students from using cell phones during school hours
Read full article: Texas bill would ban K-12 students from using cell phones during school hoursIf the proposal becomes law, Texas would follow in the footsteps of several Democrat- and Republican-led states that have enacted similar bans.
Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding
Read full article: Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education fundingProponents say the changes would better serve special education students with widely varying needs — and help schools pay for it.
Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.
Read full article: Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.
Debate on House’s school voucher bill centers on a question: Should wealthy Texans be included?
Read full article: Debate on House’s school voucher bill centers on a question: Should wealthy Texans be included?The hearing on House Bill 3 started Tuesday and ended Wednesday morning. Hundreds of Texans waited overnight to testify.