MIKE MORATH

The state recently took over the Houston school district. The new officials restricted the number of people allowed in the board room, requiring many people to watch from an overflow space.

The former Dallas ISD superintendent and 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.

The 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.

When 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.

The announcement comes almost four years after the agency first moved to take over the district.

Texas’ 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.

The 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.

Senators 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.

The 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.

Among 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.

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath detailed the agency’s steps to protect Texas children in their schools.

The 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.

This 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.

There had been fear that after another school year of COVID-19 disruptions, scores would not improve.

Texas has more than 1,200 school districts, but the education commissioner promised plans for the review will be completed this summer.

The Educative Teacher Performance Assessment was designed to better prepare new teachers, but faced pushback from people who thought it would create barriers for people of color to enter the profession.

Northside ISD officials on Monday defended their actions after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott indicated the district would be under investigation amid allegations that staff felt pressured to vote in Saturday’s bond election.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Northside ISD will be investigated by Education Commissioner Mike Morath and the Attorney General’s Office after leaked emails suggested that staffers were pressured to vote in Saturday’s bond election.

School districts are not required to adopt the agency’s recommendations but can use them as guidance as they develop new procedures or alter their policies for selecting or removing library books.

Teaching demands during the pandemic have exacerbated the nation’s teacher shortage. Abbott wants a task force to investigate.

Gaps in student learning because of pandemic disruptions could impact students in the long term.

Disability Rights Texas filed the lawsuit on behalf of 14 child plaintiffs saying the ban violates federal anti-discrimination law under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The TEA released new health guidelines for schools more than a week after legislators sent a letter to Gov. Abbott and Commissioner Morath, urging them to reconsider mask mandates in schools and funding for virtual learning due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Texas House legislators are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to reconsider mask mandates in schools and funding for virtual education due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases in the state.

The drop was more significant in districts that had most of their instruction online, compared to districts with more in-person classes.

Texas will fully fund school districts that have seen student attendance drop during the pandemic, as long as they maintain or increase the rate of students learning in person, Gov. Texas funds its public schools based on the number of students who attend, whether they are learning in person or virtually. As of this January, 56% of Texas public school students were learning in person. AdThe Texas State Teachers Association said the announcement may have a catch. AdBetween October and January, nearly 3,000 students returned to public schools, according to a state survey.

Feb. 18, 2021. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneWhen the winter storm hit Texas last week, the overhead sprinklers across the hall from Valerie Malone’s first-grade classroom broke and flooded rooms on both sides. School districts must look to insurance and federal emergency relief agencies to fund repairs and losses, with the state as a final resort. Those costs could be significant, especially as districts are already paying extra to educate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Austin ISD estimated its schools suffered $15 million worth of damage from the storm, according to a KUT report. More importantly, some students learning in person may not be able to go back to their normal classrooms for weeks, if at all.

“It’s not opting out of the STAAR test. Texas has said fifth and eighth grade students who don’t pass required STAAR exams this year may move up to the next grades. But high school students must pass five subject-specific courses by the time they graduate, a requirement that will not be waived this year. “This is about STAAR testing and forcing students to come in for STAAR testing. “I think the TEA has tried to create some flexibility with the STAAR test.

Join The Texas Tribune at noon Central time Feb. 11 for a live interview with Texas education commissioner Mike Morath, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith. In this role, he heads the Texas Education Agency, which oversees pre-kindergarten through high school education for more than 5 million Texas students. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. This conversation is presented by Lone Star College and Texas State Technical College and supported by Harmony Public Schools, Educate Texas, Philanthropy Advocates, TEXAS 2036 and Pastors for Texas Children. Though donors and corporate sponsors underwrite Texas Tribune events, they play no role in determining the content, panelists or line of questioning.

Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune. (Audio unavailable. Click here to listen on texastribune.org.) In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Sen. Larry Taylor, chair of the Senate Education Committee, about whether it’s possible to fully fund last session's school finance bill, learning loss, broadband access, the STAAR test and what he really thinks of Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath.

Credit: Alejandra Casas for The Texas TribuneThe 2019 Texas legislative session ended on a high for public education, with more money spent on schools than had been in more than a decade. State officials haven’t announced what they plan to do with the $5.5 billion in additional federal stimulus dollars Texas was awarded for public education. Currently, 26% of secondary school students and 17% of elementary school students are failing one or more classes, according to Superintendent Brian Woods. Dan Patrick and the Senate’s lead budget-writer, state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, released statements welcoming the news and mentioning the Legislature’s commitment for public education funding. Eva DeLuna Castro, state budget analyst for the progressive think tank Every Texan, thinks the state could likely be climbing out of the economic recession for years.

Texas school superintendents and education advocates are asking the state not to cut funding next semester for districts seeing enrollment declines because of COVID-19. But as January approaches, the reprieve is nearing its end, and school administrators say they're about to fall off a funding cliff. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said at a conference last week that he was still considering what to do next. Texas recently decided to allow school districts to require remote learners posting Fs to return in person. About 40% of the enrollment decline is in pre-K and kindergarten, which are optional for Texas students, Morath said.

Texas public school students will still take the STAAR test this spring, but the state will not rate schools and districts based on their results, the Texas Education Agency announced Thursday. In normal years, Texas rates its schools and districts on a scale from A through F, based in large part on the scores students receive on the standardized tests. But he said in November that he was reviewing exactly how those student scores would be used to rate schools and districts. Last spring, Texas applied for and received a waiver from the federal government allowing it not to administer the STAAR test. Usually, student scores on the test determine whether high school students can graduate, whether some elementary and middle school students can move on to the next grade, and whether schools can remain open.

“Absent the STAAR test, you’re not going to have a valid, reliable view of grade-level mastery of student skills,” he said. Last spring, Texas applied for and received a waiver from the federal government allowing it not to administer the STAAR. Texas has already committed to allowing elementary and middle school students who fail the exams this spring to move up to the next grade, with district permission. Usually, student scores on the test determine whether high school students can graduate, whether some elementary and middle school students can move on to the next grade, and whether schools can remain open. The Texas State Teachers Association, which has been calling for a suspension of STAAR testing since June, quickly came out in support of the legislators’ letter.

AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency announced Wednesday that it is committed to funding remote learning for families who choose the option for the entire 2020-2021 school year. Reminder to ALL TX Families: Every parent in our state still has the option to choose remote learning for their child—and TX leaders remain committed to fully funding remote instruction for any TX family that wants that option for their child during the entire 20-21 School Year. pic.twitter.com/COuM13fT3M — Texas Education Agency (@teainfo) July 29, 2020According to a statement by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, to generate funding for remote instruction, school systems must also provide daily-on campus instruction for families that want to come onto the campus. “Over the past month, TEA announced a funding waiver framework that fully funds schools for remote instruction for the entire year for any family that requests remote instruction,” Morath said in a statement. For more information, read TEA’s overview of remote instruction below:

After that, school instruction can remain remote for an additional four weeks, if needed, with a board-approved waiver request to the agency. Previously, school districts were only allowed a three-week online-only transition period. Several San Antonio school districts had already made the decision to start the year online, including San Antonio Independent School District, North East Independent School District and Northside Independent School District. Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina said teachers are seeking more assurances from the state. Meanwhile, districts must receive full state funding.”Under the guidance, schools are required to comply with the governor’s mask order.

Local school boards in areas with a lot of community spread can also delay the start of the school year. That's on top of a previous promise to reimburse all school districts for up to 75% of their pandemic-related expenses, using money from a federal grant awarded to Abbott's office. It was unclear last week whether Texas would let those local mandates stand or overrule them. And many Texas school superintendents in areas with rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have already made the decision to keep classrooms closed, without a local health order, and continue with online learning this fall. This past spring, Texas school districts struggled to get set up for remote learning, with many lacking enough computers and WiFi hotspots to send out to students.

Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneTexas will give school districts more flexibility to keep their school buildings closed to in-person instruction this fall as coronavirus cases continue to rise, Gov. Public health guidance released last week indicated that school districts had to stay virtual for up to three weeks after their start dates, so they could get their safety protocols ironed out before bringing more students to campus. Public health experts have warned that reopening school buildings in areas where cases are rising precipitously will result in entire communities becoming infected. The political conflict on when to reopen schools has left teachers and parents terrified and uncertain about the best decisions for themselves and their families. But Abbott stopped short of saying in a separate television interview state officials would cancel next springs administration of the state standardized test.

SAN ANTONIO The Texas State Teachers Association is urging state officials to slow down the reopening of campuses, as back to school season is just around the corner. With districts considering a wide array of options for the upcoming school year, the Texas State Teachers Association President Noel Candelaria says schools must reopen with caution to prevent another spike in COVID-19 cases. At the end of June, local school districts were still locking down calendars for the 2020-21 school year. Candelaria has said no school campuses should reopen until the pandemic begins to subside. Some local school districts will have variations of intersessions and virtual learning.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will participate in a dialogue for reopening schools on Tuesday afternoon. Trump scheduled the White House event to press his case for reopening schools. President Donald Trump has insisted that schools and colleges return to in-person instruction as soon as possible. The Texas State Teachers Association on Tuesday lambasted the reopening of campuses amid the surge. The Texas State Teachers Association President Noel Candelaria said schools must reopen safely, but should only do so when the pandemic begins to subside.

AUSTIN, Texas Texas public school districts haven't finalized their plans for a return to the classroom, but they know the state will resume its high-stakes standardized testing for millions of students. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told the state Board of Education on Tuesday that the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, also known as STAAR, will return in the 2020-2021 school year. Days later, the federal government waived its standardized testing requirements. The STAAR test begins in third grade and can stop poor-performing students from advancing to the next grade or graduating high school. Standardized testing should be the last priority for students, educators and policy makers.

Texas collected the data from school districts in early May, and districts have until July 16 to update their numbers. And about 15.5% of economically disadvantaged students were not fully engaged during school closures, compared with less than 5% of higher-income students. The majority of Texas public school students are Hispanic and low-income. This year, Texas fully funded them as long as they promised they were teaching students remotely while their buildings were closed. School districts will continue to receive funding for students they teach virtually in the upcoming school year, state officials announced last week.

AUSTIN, Texas Texas State Teachers Association President Noel Candelaria announced Tuesday that the state needs to mandate that students and teachers wear masks on school campuses this fall. Greg Abbott and Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath are refusing to order school districts to mandate mask requirements. In their haste to reopen schools in the midst of a deadly pandemic, Gov. The Texas Education Agency has prepared a list of guidelines, many of them good, for school reopenings, but safety remains first and foremost for educators and students, Candelaria said. The governor needs to be a leader and take the initiative on this critical health and safety issue.Related: Draft documents show Texas planning few mandatory safety measures when public schools reopen in fall

The Texas American Federation of Teachers and The Texas State Teachers Association are cautioning against Education Commissioner Mike Morath’s return-to-campus plan, saying the safety of students and staff should take priority. On Thursday, Texas Education Agency spokesperson Frank Ward told the Texas Tribune that school districts will not be required to mandate masks or COVID-19 tests. Texas students will return to school campuses this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott tells lawmakersMorath’s plan states that parents uncomfortable with the at-campus format can choose to keep them at home. “It will be safe for Texas public school students, teachers, and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall,” Morath said.

Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneTexas students will be returning to public schools in person this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott told state lawmakers Thursday morning. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has determined it will be safe for students to return to their campuses this fall. The TEA will release additional guidance for school districts next Tuesday. According to state lawmakers on the 11 a.m. call with Abbott, school districts will be able to also offer instructional alternatives for students.

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Education Agency has appointed a new conservator to Harlandale ISD and lowered its accreditation status to “accredited-warned” following an investigation in 2017. In a letter to the district, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said that he appointed Judy Castleberry as conservator. Morath, though, decided to not proceed with the appointment of a new board of managers. School board president Ricardo Moreno told KSAT 12 News the issue will be addressed further at the next meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday. The investigation was launched in 2017 after allegations surfaced over how the district handled certain contracts, nepotism and violation of the Open Meetings Act.