BREAKING NEWS
Former SAISD teacher accused of having relationship with student under TEA investigation, agency says
Read full article: Former SAISD teacher accused of having relationship with student under TEA investigation, agency saysA former San Antonio Independent School District teacher accused of having a relationship with a student is under investigation by the Texas Education Agency, the agency told KSAT on Friday.
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.
TEA releases grades on San Antonio-area public schools, districts for 2022-23 academic year
Read full article: TEA releases grades on San Antonio-area public schools, districts for 2022-23 academic yearThe Texas Education Agency released its grades for each school and school district in the state for the 2022-23 academic year.
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 was completely wrong’: Former student says she had sexual relationship with McCollum HS basketball coach
Read full article: ‘It was completely wrong’: Former student says she had sexual relationship with McCollum HS basketball coachA former McCollum High School student is revealing details about what she calls a yearslong sexual relationship with now-former basketball coach Marcus Alvarado.
Schools with four-day school weeks had lower STAAR scores, TEA study says
Read full article: Schools with four-day school weeks had lower STAAR scores, TEA study saysThe Texas Education Agency released a 15-page study in February of this year that compared the STAAR test scores of schools with four-day school weeks (4dsw) to those with five-day school weeks (5dsw).
McCollum High School basketball coach under TEA investigation, agency says
Read full article: McCollum High School basketball coach under TEA investigation, agency saysMcCollum High School boys' basketball coach Marcus Alvarado is under investigation by the Texas Education Agency, KSAT Investigates confirmed Thursday.
New South San Antonio ISD superintendent to focus on ‘quality’ teachers to turn district around
Read full article: New South San Antonio ISD superintendent to focus on ‘quality’ teachers to turn district aroundSince being appointed the South San Antonio Independent School District’s new superintendent, Dr. Saul Hinojosa has hit the ground running.
New South San ISD superintendent shares vision for district following TEA takeover
Read full article: New South San ISD superintendent shares vision for district following TEA takeoverThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) took control of South San Antonio ISD on Wednesday, pushing the elected board of trustees to the side after what it called “nearly two decades of elected trustee and administrative dysfunction.”
The Gathering Place Charter School to close after 2024-25 school year
Read full article: The Gathering Place Charter School to close after 2024-25 school yearThe Gathering Place Charter School announced it will close at the end of the 2024-2025 school year after a decision by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) not to renew its charter.
Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.Gov. Greg Abbott said cutting taxes is a top priority, however, state lawmakers don’t have as much money to plug into tax cuts as they did two years ago.
Texas scores poor on ‘Nation’s Report Card’ test for 4th, 8th grade students
Read full article: Texas scores poor on ‘Nation’s Report Card’ test for 4th, 8th grade studentsThe Texas Education Agency has announced the results of the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress, and results are not trending well for the state.
State lawmakers ask education agency for guidance on how Texas schools can respond to Trump’s immigration plans
Read full article: State lawmakers ask education agency for guidance on how Texas schools can respond to Trump’s immigration plansMore than two dozen Texas Democrats expressed concern about the elimination of a federal policy preventing immigration arrests at schools.
Why is the TEA considering taking over South San Antonio ISD?
Read full article: Why is the TEA considering taking over South San Antonio ISD?The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is considering replacing the elected board of South San Antonio ISD due to long-standing governance issues. Since 2016, the district has faced multiple challenges, including the appointment of a conservator, frequent superintendent changes, and controversial board decisions like reopening and then closing several schools.
South San ISD could become 1 of 5 districts in Texas to have school board replaced by TEA-appointed members
Read full article: South San ISD could become 1 of 5 districts in Texas to have school board replaced by TEA-appointed membersThe Texas Education Agency is considering whether to replace the South San ISD’s board of trustees with appointed board managers.
Texas Education Agency accepts applications for new South San ISD leadership
Read full article: Texas Education Agency accepts applications for new South San ISD leadershipThe conservator overseeing the South San Independent School District Board of Trustees has written a letter to the Texas Education commissioner, recommending that a board of managers be appointed to govern the district.
Houston ISD superintendent didn’t illegally funnel state money to out-of-state schools, TEA says
Read full article: Houston ISD superintendent didn’t illegally funnel state money to out-of-state schools, TEA saysThe Texas Education Agency found that checks mailed to Miles’ charter school network in Colorado were eventually deposited into the network’s Texas account.
Latest effort to block school ratings cracks Texas districts’ once-united front
Read full article: Latest effort to block school ratings cracks Texas districts’ once-united frontDozens of districts sued Texas saying the ratings painted an unfair picture of their schools. Others voluntarily have released their own.
Dozens of Texas school districts press state to suspend new student data reporting system
Read full article: Dozens of Texas school districts press state to suspend new student data reporting systemThe superintendents said they haven’t received enough support from the state or time to fix errors the system generated.
Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their funding
Read full article: Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their fundingThe Texas Education Agency says there’s time to fix problems before officially reported data is used to determine how much money districts get.
After six years of low scores for students learning English, Texas educators say it’s the test’s fault
Read full article: After six years of low scores for students learning English, Texas educators say it’s the test’s faultStudents’ scores in a test that gauges their English skills have been low since a redesign introduced computer scoring.
Texas Education Agency to release schools’ 2023 performance ratings after court ruling
Read full article: Texas Education Agency to release schools’ 2023 performance ratings after court rulingTexas families have not received a full picture of their schools’ ratings since 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and lawsuits blocking their release.
Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separation
Read full article: Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separationSome secular groups and members of other faiths say the curriculum could give schools too much control over how children are taught religion.
State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculum
Read full article: State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculumThe proposal comes as part of a larger effort by officials in Texas and across the country to inject Christianity into public life.
How San Antonio’s biggest school districts’ STAAR test scores compare to state averages
Read full article: How San Antonio’s biggest school districts’ STAAR test scores compare to state averagesData released Friday showed Texas students’ math and science scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness continue to slip since the pandemic.
Some Texas school officials are skeptical that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promise
Read full article: Some Texas school officials are skeptical that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promiseProposed lesson plans could improve student performance and help teachers, Texas education officials say. Not all district leaders and education advocates are convinced.
Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of state
Read full article: Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of stateA state lawmaker and Houston residents urge the Texas Education Agency to investigate whether the state-appointed superintendent improperly sent public funds to out-of-state charter schools.
Some South Texas school employees could be barred from holding elected office after fraud investigation
Read full article: Some South Texas school employees could be barred from holding elected office after fraud investigationA state-appointed board of managers overseeing the La Joya Independent School District is set to consider the policy this week.
Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR tests
Read full article: Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR testsThe state will save more than $15 million by using technology similar to ChatGPT to give initial scores, reducing the number of human graders needed. The decision caught some educators by surprise.
Texas places state’s largest charter school network under conservatorship
Read full article: Texas places state’s largest charter school network under conservatorshipThe state had been investigating IDEA Public Schools since 2021 and raised questions on its spending on things like a luxury driver and private jet.
After 7 years of state oversight, Texas’ takeover of Marlin ISD starts winding down
Read full article: After 7 years of state oversight, Texas’ takeover of Marlin ISD starts winding downThe transition at the Waco-area school district will shed light on how a democratically elected school board resumes control after a takeover.
Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.
Read full article: Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.Policy experts worry students will fall short of the state's future workforce needs. Educators hope the new curriculum will help them.
Texas Education Agency takes over La Joya ISD after investigating school board for fraud and conflicts of interest
Read full article: Texas Education Agency takes over La Joya ISD after investigating school board for fraud and conflicts of interestThe TEA appointed a “board of managers” to replace the district’s school board trustees and named a new superintendent.
Texas’ school ratings remain in limbo as the state and school districts fight over how strict the grading should be
Read full article: Texas’ school ratings remain in limbo as the state and school districts fight over how strict the grading should beDozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency last fall, claiming revisions to the state’s accountability system would hurt them.
Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for help
Read full article: Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for helpPublic schools got little help from lawmakers this year to address the state’s chronic teacher shortage, so they’ve turned to other creative solutions — like leaning on cultural exchange programs to recruit international teachers.
An effort to prepare West Texas students to work in the oil and gas industry is expanding
Read full article: An effort to prepare West Texas students to work in the oil and gas industry is expandingThe expansion, which will start with a smaller pilot in four high schools between Texas and New Mexico, is being paid for by the Permian Strategic Partnership, a group funded by major energy producers.
South San ISD given one year to improve board governance, avoid state takeover
Read full article: South San ISD given one year to improve board governance, avoid state takeoverThe Texas Education Agency has given the South San Antonio ISD board one year to become more stable with the help of a conservator, or it will implement its own board of managers.
Texas judge temporarily blocks release of “unlawful” school accountability ratings
Read full article: Texas judge temporarily blocks release of “unlawful” school accountability ratingsThe ruling comes after dozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency, claiming the revised accountability system would hurt their ratings.
Gov. Abbott directs Texas schools to resources for teaching about Israel-Hamas war
Read full article: Gov. Abbott directs Texas schools to resources for teaching about Israel-Hamas warAs tensions have flared in the escalating conflict and protests have spread across Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Education Agency would provide resources to schools to counter misinformation and antisemitism.
Voucher proposal spurs mix of excitement, wariness in Texas home schooling community
Read full article: Voucher proposal spurs mix of excitement, wariness in Texas home schooling communityParents of Texas’ growing population of home-schooled students are split over whether education savings accounts would give them much-needed financial help or represent an unwanted government involvement in their kids’ educations.
Why a North Texas suburban school district is opening a new health clinic for students on Medicaid
Read full article: Why a North Texas suburban school district is opening a new health clinic for students on MedicaidThe new clinic met resistance from a vocal group of parents who raised concerns the district was overstepping its authority in caring for students.
Support for Houston ISD’s Spanish speakers has dwindled under state-appointed leader, parents say
Read full article: Support for Houston ISD’s Spanish speakers has dwindled under state-appointed leader, parents sayFor 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.
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles says he needs four to five years to turn the district around
Read full article: Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles says he needs four to five years to turn the district aroundMiles said he should be held accountable and be fired if the district doesn’t improve academically in the next two years.
Texas Education Agency delays release of annual school ratings
Read full article: Texas Education Agency delays release of annual school ratingsTEA said it needs to make adjustments to account for changes in students’ academic performance after the pandemic. The delay comes after several school districts sued to stop the agency from releasing school rankings produced under a new rating system.
School safety, tutoring and hair: These are some of the new education laws that go into effect this year
Read full article: School safety, tutoring and hair: These are some of the new education laws that go into effect this yearLawmakers failed to pass legislation on school vouchers or teacher raises this year, but they approved other education-related laws like an $800 million investment in high-quality instructional materials and new rules for students found vaping or using marijuana.
Federal judge bars Texas from enforcing book rating law
Read full article: Federal judge bars Texas from enforcing book rating lawHouse Bill 900 requires book vendors to rate all their materials based on their depictions or references to sex before selling them to schools. Vendors say the law aims to regulate protected speech with “vague and over broad” terms.
Booksellers sue over Texas law requiring them to rate books for appropriateness
Read full article: Booksellers sue over Texas law requiring them to rate books for appropriatenessTwo Texas bookstores and three national bookseller associations file suit over House Bill 900, which requires private booksellers to rate books on appropriateness, and bans “sexually explicit” material from libraries.
New school safety laws seek to add armed guards, chaplains and mental health training. Here’s what you need to know.
Read full article: New school safety laws seek to add armed guards, chaplains and mental health training. Here’s what you need to know.Experts say many of the changes will bolster school safety but some requirements may be challenging for public schools to implement by the upcoming school year with limited funding and staffing constraints.
Texas’ pick to lead Houston’s schools used aggressive, polarizing methods in Dallas
Read full article: Texas’ pick to lead Houston’s schools used aggressive, polarizing methods in DallasMike Miles has wasted no time in restructuring schools and proposing administrative layoffs. The changes are designed to pay teachers at struggling schools more if their students show improvement.
How Texas’ plan to curb school violence was knocked down by a pandemic and little oversight
Read full article: How Texas’ plan to curb school violence was knocked down by a pandemic and little oversightThreat assessment teams were created to prevent the next school shooting. However, confusion surrounds how these teams operate and what they even do with a child exhibiting threatening behavior.
No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Here’s what changed for public education this legislative session.
Read full article: No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Here’s what changed for public education this legislative session.Lawmakers sacrificed school funding to block school vouchers, but the issue could be debated again in a special session. Districts will get new funds for school safety, though Uvalde families were ultimately left disappointed with inaction on gun restrictions.
Texas Education Agency picks Mike Miles for Houston ISD superintendent as state takeover begins
Read full article: Texas Education Agency picks Mike Miles for Houston ISD superintendent as state takeover beginsThe former Dallas ISD superintendent and a state-appointed board of managers will replace Houston’s elected school board in response to years of poor academic outcomes at a single campus in the district.
Texas Senate passes school safety bill that would require districts to bolster their active-shooter plans
Read full article: Texas Senate passes school safety bill that would require districts to bolster their active-shooter plansBoth chambers have said school safety is a priority this session after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at a Uvalde elementary school last year.
Texas House’s version of the Senate’s voucher bill would change eligibility to the program and replace the STAAR test
Read full article: Texas House’s version of the Senate’s voucher bill would change eligibility to the program and replace the STAAR testThe Texas House’s education committee is soon expected to discuss the new version of Senate Bill 8, which was heavily modified to sway votes in the lower chamber.
Texas lawmakers hope an investment in teacher training will help keep new educators in the classroom longer
Read full article: Texas lawmakers hope an investment in teacher training will help keep new educators in the classroom longerA bill passed by the Texas House on Wednesday would also help schools rehire retired teachers and offer other incentives in an effort to fight the state’s teacher shortage.
Texas House votes to require panic buttons in every classroom and armed guards in every school
Read full article: Texas House votes to require panic buttons in every classroom and armed guards in every schoolLawmakers have said school safety is a priority this session, but it is still unclear whether they’ll listen to Uvalde families who want to raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic guns from 18 to 21.
Natalia ISD finalizes retirement agreement with 4th superintendent to leave in a decade
Read full article: Natalia ISD finalizes retirement agreement with 4th superintendent to leave in a decadeNatalia ISD finalized a voluntary retirement agreement with its superintendent in early April after two years of service. It's the fourth superintendent to serve the district in just over 10 years.
At schools across Houston, students and parents protest Texas Education Agency’s takeover of state’s largest district
Read full article: At schools across Houston, students and parents protest Texas Education Agency’s takeover of state’s largest districtAt one elementary school, protesters chanted as the school day was about to begin. Parents sought petition signatures at a high school. The demonstrations are planned throughout the day.
Texas Education Agency moves to appoint conservators for Austin ISD
Read full article: Texas Education Agency moves to appoint conservators for Austin ISDThe TEA recommended the move, citing the district’s failures serving special education students. The announcement comes two weeks after the agency appointed a board of managers to oversee Houston ISD.
Civil rights organizations file federal complaint against Texas’ takeover of Houston ISD
Read full article: Civil rights organizations file federal complaint against Texas’ takeover of Houston ISDThe ACLU of Texas, the Houston NAACP and other groups say the takeover is a violation of the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution.
Parents share their outrage during first public meeting over Houston ISD takeover
Read full article: Parents share their outrage during first public meeting over Houston ISD takeoverThe Texas Education Agency announced on March 15 that it would replace the current superintendent and its democratically elected school board with a new board of managers as soon as June 1.
What happens when Texas takes over a school district like Houston ISD
Read full article: What happens when Texas takes over a school district like Houston ISDWhen do state takeovers of Texas public schools or districts happen? How long can they last? We provide answers to some of the questions surrounding the takeover of Houston ISD.
Houston ISD families blast the state’s takeover of the district as an intervention that won’t improve student learning
Read full article: Houston ISD families blast the state’s takeover of the district as an intervention that won’t improve student learningParents and students of the Houston Independent School District decried the state’s decision to take control of the school system. Despite the news, many questions remain about how it would affect them.
Texas education agency ready to find new leaders for Houston school district, documents show
Read full article: Texas education agency ready to find new leaders for Houston school district, documents showTexas’ education agency first moved to take over the district in 2019 after years of low student performance at a single Houston ISD high school. Critics said the district has made improvements since then.
Texas Families would get $8,000 in tax dollars to send students to private school in sweeping ‘parental rights’ bill backed by Lt. Gov.
Read full article: Texas Families would get $8,000 in tax dollars to send students to private school in sweeping ‘parental rights’ bill backed by Lt. Gov.The bill, which has the blessing of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will create new rules on how gender and sexual orientation is taught. It will face a tougher test in the House.
Texas Education Agency would have new power to enforce school safety plans under Senate bill
Read full article: Texas Education Agency would have new power to enforce school safety plans under Senate billThe bill, introduced months after the Uvalde school shooting, also allocates more funds to the state’s school safety allotment, which is money given to districts to improve campus security.
Texas teachers need raises, more training and better working conditions to fix shortages, state task force finds
Read full article: Texas teachers need raises, more training and better working conditions to fix shortages, state task force findsThe yearlong review also recommends increasing the funds schools get per student, a measure already favored by lawmakers looking how to spend a historic state budget surplus.
School districts face millions in extra costs as Texas program that backs bond debt hits its limit
Read full article: School districts face millions in extra costs as Texas program that backs bond debt hits its limitWithout the state’s safety net, districts with pending bond projects must now decide whether to pay more in interest or halt construction.
In audio, high-ranking TEA official admits public school funds could drop with voucher-like programs
Read full article: In audio, high-ranking TEA official admits public school funds could drop with voucher-like programs“School districts, what they have to do if they lose a student, [is] be smart about how they allocate their resources and maybe that’s one less fourth grade teacher,” Steve Lecholop, a TEA deputy commissioner, said in a call with a parent that was secretly recorded.
Texas senators seem open to major change in state’s public education funding formula
Read full article: Texas senators seem open to major change in state’s public education funding formulaSenators in the finance committee asked questions Monday about the pros and cons of basing the amount of money that schools get per student on enrollment instead of attendance. Districts say the change could mean millions in additional funding.
Canyon Lake HS warns parents another teacher may have had ‘inappropriate communication’ with a student
Read full article: Canyon Lake HS warns parents another teacher may have had ‘inappropriate communication’ with a studentPrincipal Mark Oberholtzer told parents in a letter on Tuesday that he had learned the day before about allegations of a teacher, Orlando Naumann, having engaged in “inappropriate communication” with a student. Naumann resigned in the face of an investigation, but has not been charged or arrested.
Texas Supreme Court clears way for state’s education agency to take over Houston ISD
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court clears way for state’s education agency to take over Houston ISDThe decision from the state’s highest court would allow the TEA to move forward with its plan to replace Houston ISD’s school board members over low academic scores.
Texas greenlighted a felon to train school board members. Now education officials are examining their rules.
Read full article: Texas greenlighted a felon to train school board members. Now education officials are examining their rules.Records show James Dunn was convicted twice for defrauding federal government agencies. He registered his school board training, which he described as an alternative to “woke” programs, with the Texas Education Agency this fall.
Texas students’ math scores saw a sharp decline during pandemic
Read full article: Texas students’ math scores saw a sharp decline during pandemicState math scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress dipped significantly between 2019 and 2022, but reading scores for fourth and eighth graders held steady.
Texas Supreme Court weighs whether to allow state’s education agency to oust Houston school board
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court weighs whether to allow state’s education agency to oust Houston school boardAmong other issues, the court will consider whether a law that updated the education code last year has any bearing on TEA Commissioner Mike Morath’s attempt to replace HISD’s board members over low academic scores.
When Texas students campaigned for a more diverse history course, they got a lesson in politics
Read full article: When Texas students campaigned for a more diverse history course, they got a lesson in politicsStudents had been pushing for the State Board of Education to adopt a new, more inclusive social studies curriculum this year. Instead, the board delayed their scheduled update until at least 2025.
Politics and pandemic are driving Texas teachers to consider quitting, survey finds
Read full article: Politics and pandemic are driving Texas teachers to consider quitting, survey findsAn online survey of 1,291 teachers by the Charles Butt Foundation shows more teacher dissatisfaction as Texas school districts scramble to attract talent.
High-poverty schools struggle to earn Texas’ highest rating. Some in the Rio Grande Valley break that trend.
Read full article: High-poverty schools struggle to earn Texas’ highest rating. Some in the Rio Grande Valley break that trend.The Texas Education Agency has dismissed the notion that the accountability ratings are a poverty rating. As evidence, they point to districts like those in the Rio Grande Valley, which have achieved high marks while serving a high number of economically disadvantaged students.
A-F accountability ratings for San Antonio-area charter school districts
Read full article: A-F accountability ratings for San Antonio-area charter school districtsThe Texas Education Agency released grades this week for each school district and campus across the state, and that includes the charter districts in the area.
TEA releases A-F accountability ratings for San Antonio-area schools
Read full article: TEA releases A-F accountability ratings for San Antonio-area schoolsThe Texas Education Agency released a list of A-F accountability ratings for districts — the first issued since the coronavirus pandemic caused learning disruptions and teacher shortages across the state.
Texas school ratings show improvement compared to 2019, but those in poorer neighborhoods still lag
Read full article: Texas school ratings show improvement compared to 2019, but those in poorer neighborhoods still lagThis year’s TEA ratings were done differently than in previous years. Instead of the usual A-F ratings, which were last given in 2019, the agency gave only A-C ratings. Districts and schools that would have received a D or F instead received a “Not Rated” label this year.
After the Robb Elementary shooting, some Uvalde parents are choosing private or online education
Read full article: After the Robb Elementary shooting, some Uvalde parents are choosing private or online educationFollowing a state report showing that almost 400 law enforcement officers showed up at the school on May 24, some Uvalde parents are doubtful over whether their kids will be safe in the district.
It’s not just COVID-19: Why Texas faces a teacher shortage
Read full article: It’s not just COVID-19: Why Texas faces a teacher shortageTexas schools have long had too few teachers. The pandemic made the situation worse — but issues like low pay, poor benefits and polarizing statewide politics all have an impact, too.