Watch our event on the future of Texas public education
We're livestreaming our two-day event in Austin diving into the most pressing issues facing students and educators across Texas. Full Story
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Analysis: The Texas Legislature wasn’t built for harmony. It was built for debate.
As the Texas Legislature digs into the busiest half of the session, early harmony is giving way to difference and debate. The House and Senate are easing into their traditional roles — as rivals. Full Story
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![Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Gov. Greg Abbott addresses members of the Texas legislature and judiciary at his State of the State address in the House chambers at the Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate unveils its first version of a school finance reform bill
The bill is part of a series of proposals designed to slow property tax growth and fix how the state pays for its schools. Full Story
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![Senate Education Committee Chariman and state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, during a committee meeting on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: In step with Texas voters on some things, and out of step on some others
If you study a poll and then look at what the Texas Legislature is doing, you'll see a lot of harmony between lawmakers and their voters. But not always. You might also wonder where the representatives in Austin get some of their ideas. Full Story
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Credit: Photo illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Santa Fe official testifies in somber committee hearing on school safety bills
The proposals that earned the support of lawmakers of all political stripes included ones that strengthen security and beef up mental health initiatives in schools. Full Story
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![Senate Education Committee Chariman and state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, during a committee meeting on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Texas teacher pay emerges as a sticking point between House and Senate
The Senate is proposing $5,000 raises for each teacher and librarian. The House is calling for raising minimum salaries and increasing benefits. Full Story
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![Speaker Dennis Bonnen and state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, with other House members hold a press conference to announce their school finance bill on Mar. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Is STAAR too hard on young readers? The test is in lawmakers' crosshairs again.
Two years-old studies questioning the state's standardized test have gained traction in Texas, fueling the fire among educators and parents who argue the test is too high-stakes. Full Story
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![Daniel Saldana, 9th grade student at Elsik High school, looks up during a quiz about biomolecules during an afternoon intervention program on April 19, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House bill would put $9 billion into school finance reform and property tax relief
Members of the Texas House received their first look at the soon-to-be-filed proposal in a one-page summary circulating around the Texas Capitol Monday afternoon. Full Story
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![Rep. Dan Huberty R-Houston speaks to media after the House concurs on school finance bill on August 15, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate unanimously passes $5,000 teacher pay raises, adding librarians
The proposal faces an uphill climb in the lower chamber, with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen saying he prefers to give school districts flexibility on addressing teacher pay. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flowermound, introduces SB 3 on the Senate Floor on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Broad Texas school safety bill proposes threat assessment teams, expanded emergency training
It’s unclear how much it would cost to implement all of Sen. Larry Taylor’s proposals. Senate Bill 11 appears to take an unspecified amount from the rainy day fund to help cover the costs. Full Story
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![After an extended evening recess, Sen Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, begins an explanation of the committee substitute to House Bill 21, the school finance bill on Aug. 14, 2017.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott raves about Dallas' teacher incentive pay program. But it's hard to replicate.
Dallas ISD spearheaded a program that floods its low-performing schools with the best resources, including highly rated educators who get paid large stipends. Lawmakers want to see it expanded. Full Story
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![Natasha Boone high fives a student as they went over a story the class was reading Jan. 14, 2019 at Edward Titche Elementary School in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas*.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Texans want voter approval of property tax hikes, says UT/TT Poll
Texans want local governments to get permission for property tax hikes over a set amount and don't think such a restriction would hobble services, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reappoints Education Commissioner Mike Morath
If confirmed by the state Senate, Morath would serve until Jan. 16, 2023. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath speaks to the State Board of Education members during a meeting in Austin on Jan. 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Watch: A conversation on school segregation
On Feb. 26, we sat down for a conversation about the impact of school segregation on public education in San Antonio, moderated by the Tribune's Aliyya Swaby. Full Story
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Texas Senate panel advances $5,000 teacher pay raise proposal
The bill, which would cost $3.9 billion, received unanimous support from the Senate Finance Committee. Full Story
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![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, asks questions during a Senate Finance Committee hearing at the state Capitol on October 24, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Join our Facebook group to watch a discussion about school segregation
To watch the conversation online, you must be a member of This Is Your Texas, our Facebook group dedicated to civil discussion of politics and policy news. Join today to RSVP. Full Story
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Educators have been skeptical of Dan Patrick. Will they support his teacher pay raise plan?
The Texas lieutenant governor is proposing across-the-board $5,000 raises for teachers. It's a seismic shift for a lawmaker who spent the last legislative session backing proposals educators revile. Full Story
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![Lt. Governor Dan Patrick address the crowd at the Oath of Office Ceremony at the capitol grounds. Jan. 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Teachers, tell us your thoughts about the Texas Legislature's proposed $5,000 pay raises
Texas lawmakers are considering a proposal that would increase teacher pay by $5,000. We want to talk to teachers about their salaries. Full Story
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![Coleman High School physics and computer science teacher Gary Strickland goes over classroom rules on the first day of school on Aug. 23, 2017. Strickland is a finalist for TASA's secondary teacher of the year award.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Democrats lay out their priorities for Texas school finance as lawmakers await leadership-endorsed bill
The Texas House Democratic Caucus is calling for a $14.5 billion package that includes all-day pre-K, teacher raises and property tax relief. Full Story
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Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas' school finance system is unpopular and complex. Here's how it works.
Average Texans and lawmakers alike are going back to the basics on school finance, as the state Legislature prepares to tackle a longstanding challenge. Full Story
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![Tatum Roberts (left) and Olivia Mah work on their toothpick cubes in Melanie Martin's kindergarten class at Johnston-McQueen Elementary.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune