Education

Many Texas special ed parents fear school vouchers because ‘private schools don’t have to play’

Posted on · The governor and top lawmakers have pointed to students in special education as prime beneficiaries of school vouchers. Some community members are worried the approach will drain funds from already shortchanged public schools while opening the door for discrimination against students with disabilities. 

Politics

Dueling property tax cut packages would reduce Texans’ tax bills by more than $16 billion

Posted on · There’s broad, bipartisan support in the Texas Legislature for using the state’s record surplus to cut taxes, but the Senate and House are at odds on how to accomplish that goal.

Politics

GOP-authored bills would increase penalties for illegal voting and limit Harris County’s control over elections

Posted on · Senate Bill 2 would make illegal voting a felony again. Other Republican-authored bills, filed in response to the 2022 Harris County general election, could cost Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum his job.

Education

The TEA takes over Houston schools this summer. What happens in the meantime?

Posted on · The Texas Education Agency plans to seize control of Houston public schools this summer. The move is drawing mixed reactions from community members, many of whom say the district is doing well and doesn’t need state intervention. 

Education

Considering race, class and power in Texas Education Agency’s takeover of Houston Independent School District

Posted on · The Texas Education Agency is seizing control of the largest school district in the state. For both supporters and opponents of the takeover, race and class plays an undeniable central role in the move.

Education

As Texas STAAR test goes fully online, teachers ‘feel defeated,’ Texas Education Agency projects confidence

Posted on · Educators are still trying to catch students up from the massive learning losses of the pandemic while also preparing kids for the redesigned STAAR, which is now a fully online standardized test.

Education

‘No accountability’: Kids in special education are routinely restrained. Texas lawmakers could change that

Posted on · Parents with children in special education programs say that schools have restrained the students without their knowledge. A House bill would help with that by banning the use of restraint on children under the age of 10.