The latest public education news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Michael Williams told senators Tuesday that the state intends to move forward with developing an A through F public school accountability rating system to take effect in 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/543d48a3f7226cac4584e1adcb5927e9/BD%20INC%20Michael%20Williams%202013)
Polling over the last two years from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune suggests that education has not become more salient to Texas voters, nor have perceptions of school quality suffered significantly. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/AustinDiscoverySchool.jpg)
When it comes to high-stakes testing, Texas lawmakers have so far focused most of their attention on high school students. But as more than 3 million students across the state begin to take standardized exams this week, some members of the Legislature are examining the plight of younger test-takers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/StandardTesting-1.jpg)
With eight weeks to go in the legislative session, lawmakers got a running start at their big issues: water, education and the budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6dbbf4384bf09d46ce579e46d1630e42/BD%20INC%20Aycock%2001%202013)
As state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, detailed his objections to House Bill 5 on Tuesday, what he did not mention is that whether students enroll in challenging courses and the number of state exams they must take could affect his livelihood. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e0540b362d5284b5f7926af3653ed4d1/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Strama%20Bidness%202013)
Getting rid of standardized tests in public education would make it impossible to find out whether students have mastered the basics or acquired the skills necessary for success. Tests are the best way to measure results for students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/21/Spellings.jpg)
Texas outspends every state in the nation on testing and leads in the number of tests it requires students to pass to graduate from high school. But that has not translated to a lead in students' education performance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/20/Heinrich_Carolyn.jpg)
At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at Abilene Christian University, state Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, and state Rep. Susan King, R-Abilene, talked about public education, health care, water, the state budget and other issues in play in the 83rd session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/image_9.jpeg)
As House lawmakers prepare for their first major education policy debate, they have pre-filed 165 amendments. Supporters of reform say the current system is too restrictive, but opponents worry proposed changes could reverse advancements. Full Story
When the House takes up its first major education policy bill on the floor Tuesday, it could provide an indication of where the battle lines are drawn on an increasingly contentious division within the business community. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/19/D54H2794_1.jpg)
The automatic federal spending cuts known as the sequester could hit special education and programs for low-income students hardest. And state lawmakers are unlikely to come up with cash to fill the federal hole. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/21/TxTrib-Sequester-005.jpg)
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Ross Ramsey talked to state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and state Reps. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, and Gene Wu, D-Houston, about the prospect of school voucher legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/_BDA5094cms.jpg)
The $193.8 billion budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee includes an extra $2.5 billion for public education. The bill is smaller than the Senate budget by about $1.7 billion. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5410952a9a6604022ebdb2072548cfbb/BD%20INC%20Pitts%2002%202011)
When the state closes a decade's worth of testing under the TAKS exams in April, it will mark the end of a period that saw students’ scores on the standardized tests soar. But that success hasn't translated to improvement on national measures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/20/BeyondData-Testing.jpg)
At SXSWedu, reporter Morgan Smith discusses ways to keep schools safe with Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas; Texas Association of School Boards attorney Joy Baskin; Texas School Safety Center Director Victoria Calder and Barbara Beto, the Texas PTA's legislative action chairwoman. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/SXSWedu-lead-art.png)
On this week's Agenda Texas from KUT News: How many tests are too many? State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, is leading the charge to reduce the number of high school STAAR tests from 15 to five. But critics worry that cutting tests could also cut standards. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/STARR-Test.jpg)
Sen. Dan Patrick's Senate Bill 2 is the most ambitious attempt to expand the state’s charter school system since it was established in 1995. It will have to pass a Legislature that defeated more modest proposals two years ago. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2233924564bd8b1fff996a2280d143d7/BD%20INC%20Education%20Senate%20330%202013)
House members unanimously approved a bill largely devoted to addressing a shortfall in Medicaid. Health providers for poor children and the disabled in Texas won't get paid starting Thursday unless Gov. Rick Perry signs the bill soon. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b869b88e4ffe4bd0903bcc3e576758af/BD%20INC%20Straus%20Pitts%2002%202011)
Ask any of the estimated 2,700 members of the American Federation of Teachers who came out Monday for the group's lobby day, and they’ll tell you their top priority is restoring the $5.4 billion in cuts made last session to public education. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Ed_Rally2.jpg)
Your evening reading: at education rally, Davis knocks Combs over revenue estimate; committees hear $2 billion water plan proposal; Garcia sworn in to Senate seat Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/11/D54H7968.jpg)