TEA won’t hire conservator to oversee North East ISD’s cellphone policy, district says
Read full article: TEA won’t hire conservator to oversee North East ISD’s cellphone policy, district saysThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) rescinded its recommendation to appoint a TEA conservator to oversee North East Independent School District’s cellphone policy Tuesday.
Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boost
Read full article: Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boostPublic school leaders told lawmakers how they're navigating finances, teacher quality and special education after last year’s state funding overhaul.
Austin ISD’s bid to avoid state takeover rejected by Texas Education Agency
Read full article: Austin ISD’s bid to avoid state takeover rejected by Texas Education AgencyTEA officials on Thursday denied the district’s request to approve a partnership to run its three chronically failing schools that would have put a pause on the campuses' accountability rating.
Teachers with national certification earn more, but Texas is questioning its worth
Read full article: Teachers with national certification earn more, but Texas is questioning its worthThe National Board Certification is widely considered the most demanding for teachers. Texas leaders are examining whether it fits the state’s merit-based system.
Feds investigate Houston ISD for plans to separate students with disabilities
Read full article: Feds investigate Houston ISD for plans to separate students with disabilitiesHouston school administrators say the move would give children who need the support more focused attention. But the U.S. Department of Education worries the plan amounts to segregation.
‘Another mandate without funding’: New Texas law could cost school districts millions
Read full article: ‘Another mandate without funding’: New Texas law could cost school districts millionsSenate Bill 546 requires all Texas school districts to install three-point seatbelts on buses. However, many districts have buses both with and without this requirement, and the state is not paying for the upgrades.
‘Classic unfunded mandate’: San Antonio school districts reveal costs of new seat belt requirements
Read full article: ‘Classic unfunded mandate’: San Antonio school districts reveal costs of new seat belt requirementsTexas wants all school buses to have 3-point seat belts by 2029-30. But the price tag is high for local districts also facing budget challenges.
A Houston ISD exec tapped for Beaumont schools superintendent during its second state takeover
Read full article: A Houston ISD exec tapped for Beaumont schools superintendent during its second state takeoverFormer Houston school administrators now work as superintendents or key executives in three districts under Texas’ control. This is Beaumont’s second state intervention in recent years.
NEISD trustees vote to comply with TEA, waive student cell phone policy after investigation
Read full article: NEISD trustees vote to comply with TEA, waive student cell phone policy after investigationThe North East Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Monday night to comply with the Texas Education Agency’s guidance on student cell phone use, approving modifications to its existing policy following a state investigation.
Inside the San Antonio center making Braille textbooks for students who are blind, visually impaired
Read full article: Inside the San Antonio center making Braille textbooks for students who are blind, visually impairedAll across the United States, students who are blind or visually impaired rely on San Antonio’s Braille Services Center for equal access to education materials.
TEA recommends conservator to oversee NEISD’s cellphone policy
Read full article: TEA recommends conservator to oversee NEISD’s cellphone policyA special investigation report released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on Thursday recommends that the TEA commissioner appoint a conservator to oversee the North East Independent School District’s implementation of its cell phone policy.
T-Squared: We’re relaunching our Texas Public Schools Explorer to better serve parents and teachers
Read full article: T-Squared: We’re relaunching our Texas Public Schools Explorer to better serve parents and teachersToday, we are unveiling our most ambitious update yet to The Texas Tribune’s schools explorer, with more information and added context to help Texans interpret information about our schools.
Explore our newly redesigned Texas Public Schools Explorer with expanded data
Read full article: Explore our newly redesigned Texas Public Schools Explorer with expanded dataThe explorer now shows long-term trends, school funding data, and newly released Texas Academic Performance Reports, among other updates.
Strict schedules, long days, high pay: What Waco schools can expect from new charter operator
Read full article: Strict schedules, long days, high pay: What Waco schools can expect from new charter operatorThe Waco school district is expected to be the latest to contract with the charter operator founded by Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston schools.
Edgewood ISD board approves partnership with charter school network
Read full article: Edgewood ISD board approves partnership with charter school networkThird Future Schools will partner with the Edgewood Independent School District to operate Brentwood Middle School after the district’s school board approved the vote on Tuesday evening.
Texas Education Agency orders public schools to remove mentions of Cesar Chavez from lessons
Read full article: Texas Education Agency orders public schools to remove mentions of Cesar Chavez from lessonsSchools were also directed to cancel or change celebrations of the late civil rights leader amid allegations of sexual abuse.
Wichita Falls school district avoids takeover by state, officials say
Read full article: Wichita Falls school district avoids takeover by state, officials sayThe threat of a Texas Education Agency takeover was triggered by one of the North Texas district’s schools that had been underperforming for years.
Texas education board approves 4,200 corrections in Bible-infused curriculum
Read full article: Texas education board approves 4,200 corrections in Bible-infused curriculumTaxpayers will bear the cost of fixing errors in learning materials published by the Texas Education Agency. The curriculum has drawn attention for its references to Christianity and the Bible.
NEISD faces possible TEA takeover for noncompliance with new cellphone restrictions
Read full article: NEISD faces possible TEA takeover for noncompliance with new cellphone restrictionsThe second-largest school district in San Antonio is facing the possibility of a Texas Education Agency (TEA) sanctions or a takeover for noncompliance with a new state law banning cell phones in schools.
Texas Education Agency warns districts of potential state takeovers for “encouraging” student protests
Read full article: Texas Education Agency warns districts of potential state takeovers for “encouraging” student protestsThe state education agency issued guidance to districts after Gov. Greg Abbott directed its commissioner to investigate the student protests of killings by federal agents.
Texas Education Agency moves to correct 4,200 errors in Bible-infused curriculum
Read full article: Texas Education Agency moves to correct 4,200 errors in Bible-infused curriculumState Board of Education members criticized the publishing errors and postponed their vote on the agency’s request until their next meeting.
North East ISD pushes back on TEA over cellphone restrictions
Read full article: North East ISD pushes back on TEA over cellphone restrictionsNorth East Independent School District leaders voted unanimously this week to retain their current student cellphone policy, despite warnings from the Texas Education Agency that it may violate a new state law.
Texas teachers union sues state education agency for investigating social media posts about Charlie Kirk
Read full article: Texas teachers union sues state education agency for investigating social media posts about Charlie KirkThe Texas Education Agency received hundreds of complaints about educators’ online reactions to the conservative activist’s death.
Texas tracks the long-term outcomes of public school students. See how your school district compares here.
Read full article: Texas tracks the long-term outcomes of public school students. See how your school district compares here.Newly-released state data tracked the long-term outcomes of public school students who enrolled a decade ago.
More Texas students complete journey through college, but low-income students still left behind
Read full article: More Texas students complete journey through college, but low-income students still left behindTexas has long failed to get most of its students the higher education credentials the workforce increasingly demands. But recent laws that reward schools for helping students succeed later in life could help the state make up lost ground, experts say. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regularly tracks if students enrolled in eighth grade […]
Allegations against a legendary’s football coach’s son fracture a North Texas town
Read full article: Allegations against a legendary’s football coach’s son fracture a North Texas townThe top-ranked Celina High School football team is barrelling toward another state championship this month. Its coach is barred from the field.
Texas Education Agency taking over Lake Worth, Connally and Beaumont school districts
Read full article: Texas Education Agency taking over Lake Worth, Connally and Beaumont school districtsThe three interventions come after the state’s education agency announced plans to take over Fort Worth ISD in October.
TEA notifies NEISD it needs to change its cellphone policy
Read full article: TEA notifies NEISD it needs to change its cellphone policyThe Texas Education Agency notified the North East Independent School District that it now has until Jan. 31 to alter its cellphone policy or face intervention or sanctions from the state.
Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schools
Read full article: Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schoolsThe meeting happened days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million to help establish chapters of the conservative student group on every Texas college and high school campus.
Why some Texas teachers are being forced to “deadname” trans students under a new state law
Read full article: Why some Texas teachers are being forced to “deadname” trans students under a new state lawThe law requires school employees to use names and pronouns that conform to students’ sex at birth.
Texas superintendents say school takeovers aren’t a sustainable way to boost student learning
Read full article: Texas superintendents say school takeovers aren’t a sustainable way to boost student learningThree school district leaders at The Texas Tribune Festival said the Texas Education Agency’s reliance on state takeovers to improve academic performance threatens local control.
‘A tremendous moment’: Harlandale ISD resumes local control following removal of TEA conservator
Read full article: ‘A tremendous moment’: Harlandale ISD resumes local control following removal of TEA conservatorThe Harlandale Independent School District has resumed local governance of its board of trustees following the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) removal of a state-appointed conservator this week, a district news release on Tuesday said.
What you need to know about Texas’ takeover of Fort Worth ISD
Read full article: What you need to know about Texas’ takeover of Fort Worth ISDA takeover is meant to correct the course of struggling school districts. But it can become a fraught process since the district’s elected school board loses its decision-making power.
Texas Education Agency takes over Fort Worth ISD, replacing its elected school board
Read full article: Texas Education Agency takes over Fort Worth ISD, replacing its elected school boardThe North Texas district is the 11th since 2000 to be taken over by the state and the second largest after Houston ISD.
NEISD discusses cellphone ban policy during board meeting
Read full article: NEISD discusses cellphone ban policy during board meetingNorth East ISD met on Monday to discuss their cellphone ban policy that was approved in August and is currently under investigation by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
TEA: Educators in 13 San Antonio-area districts under investigation for posts about Charlie Kirk’s death
Read full article: TEA: Educators in 13 San Antonio-area districts under investigation for posts about Charlie Kirk’s deathThe Texas Education Agency is looking into more than 350 complaints against educators or school district staff members regarding comments made or posted about Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Parents react as state pressures North East ISD to tighten cellphone ban policy
Read full article: Parents react as state pressures North East ISD to tighten cellphone ban policyThe Texas Education Agency is investigating North East Independent School District’s (NEISD) cellphone ban policy after receiving a complaint that it does not comply with the new controversial law.
North East ISD may revise cellphone ban policy after TEA investigation and legislative pressure
Read full article: North East ISD may revise cellphone ban policy after TEA investigation and legislative pressureAfter one month of approving a new cellphone ban policy, the North East Independent School District (NEISD) may be forced to go back to the drawing board to revise it once again.
Texas investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts say
Read full article: Texas investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts sayFree speech experts say that when teachers speak in their personal capacity, even on school grounds but outside their official duties, they retain their right to comment on matters of public concern.
6 Bexar County school districts risk TEA stepping in over poor performance
Read full article: 6 Bexar County school districts risk TEA stepping in over poor performanceSix Bexar County school districts must submit plans to the state for improving performance at poorly-rated campuses — and in some cases, immediately put them into action.
Jourdanton High School teacher fired following social media post about Charlie Kirk assassination
Read full article: Jourdanton High School teacher fired following social media post about Charlie Kirk assassinationJourdanton Independent School District’s school board fired a teacher after the instructor made a social media post about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Student who mocked Charlie Kirk’s death “no longer” at Texas State University as clampdowns continue
Read full article: Student who mocked Charlie Kirk’s death “no longer” at Texas State University as clampdowns continueThe university's announcement came hours after Gov. Greg Abbott called for the student's expulsion.
TEA reviewing 180 complaints over educators’ Charlie Kirk assassination posts
Read full article: TEA reviewing 180 complaints over educators’ Charlie Kirk assassination postsThe head of the Texas Education Agency says his agency is already reviewing complaints about educators’ social media posts on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and he will recommend teachers who “call for and incite further violence” have their certification suspended.
Roughly 350 complaints filed against Texas teachers for alleged comments on killing of Charlie Kirk
Read full article: Roughly 350 complaints filed against Texas teachers for alleged comments on killing of Charlie KirkSeveral school districts have already taken disciplinary action against staff for comments made about the Christian conservative activist’s death.
TEA to investigate educators’ ‘inappropriate content’ about Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Read full article: TEA to investigate educators’ ‘inappropriate content’ about Charlie Kirk’s assassinationThe Texas Education Agency said it will investigate educators accused of making “inappropriate content” on social media after the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
Providing basic care to students does not violate Texas’ parental consent law, state guidance to schools says
Read full article: Providing basic care to students does not violate Texas’ parental consent law, state guidance to schools saysThe guidance comes in response to confusion over a new state law requiring schools to notify parents whenever students need health care services.
Texas is officially replacing STAAR. Here is what schools’ new standardized tests will look like.
Read full article: Texas is officially replacing STAAR. Here is what schools’ new standardized tests will look like.House Bill 8 scraps the unpopular exam for three shorter tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year starting in the 2027-28 school year.
1 in 4 Texas school districts sign up for new Bible-infused curriculum
Read full article: 1 in 4 Texas school districts sign up for new Bible-infused curriculumThe numbers may grow as the state collects more data. Some districts adopted the plan not for its religious emphasis but for more funding and to better align with teaching requirements.
‘We just want to be paid’: Teachers left in limbo after charter school shuts down
Read full article: ‘We just want to be paid’: Teachers left in limbo after charter school shuts downJust days before the start of the new school year, Bexar County Academy charter school shut its doors for good. But for a group of summer school teachers, the problems didn’t end there.
Five Texas school districts at risk of a state takeover after ratings’ release
Read full article: Five Texas school districts at risk of a state takeover after ratings’ releaseThe state can take control of a school district if at least one of its campuses receives a failing grade five years in a row.
Texas released two years of A-F ratings for schools and districts. See how yours did.
Read full article: Texas released two years of A-F ratings for schools and districts. See how yours did.In the 2024-25 school year, 14% of Texas school districts got an A, 71% got a B or a C, and 15% got a D or an F, new state data shows.
TEA Accountability Ratings: A look at how San Antonio area school districts made the grade
Read full article: TEA Accountability Ratings: A look at how San Antonio area school districts made the gradeThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the release of accountability ratings for school districts across Texas, which includes San Antonio-area schools.
Harlandale ISD moves closer to total control, advances to TEA observation status
Read full article: Harlandale ISD moves closer to total control, advances to TEA observation statusThe Harlandale Independent School District has taken a step toward full local control by moving from direct oversight by a Texas Education Agency conservator to observation status.
US Department of Education grants $250K to flood-impacted school districts in Texas
Read full article: US Department of Education grants $250K to flood-impacted school districts in TexasThe U.S. Department of Education announced that it would make $250,000 in funding available from Project SERV to support students and the community as they recover from the July 4 Hill Country floods.
South San ISD board formally accepts superintendent’s resignation 4 months after TEA takeover
Read full article: South San ISD board formally accepts superintendent’s resignation 4 months after TEA takeoverFour months since the Texas Education Agency stepped in to replace the school board members and superintendent at South San Antonio ISD, the former superintendent will be released from his contract.
Did Texas lawmakers do enough for children with disabilities? These child care advocates say no.
Read full article: Did Texas lawmakers do enough for children with disabilities? These child care advocates say no.Lawmakers added $100 million to a child care scholarship program but failed to expand access to free preschool for children with disabilities.
How San Antonio’s largest school districts’ 2025 STAAR test scores compare to state averages
Read full article: How San Antonio’s largest school districts’ 2025 STAAR test scores compare to state averagesResults released by the Texas Education Agency on Tuesday show State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) scores have seen improvements this year, even as San Antonio-area districts struggled with math.
Texas students make gains in reading but struggle with math, STAAR scores show
Read full article: Texas students make gains in reading but struggle with math, STAAR scores showThe mixed-bag results showed early literacy improvements, a key indicator of future academic success, but underline the challenges of preparing children for STEM-related jobs.
Texas Education Agency extends Houston school district takeover through 2027
Read full article: Texas Education Agency extends Houston school district takeover through 2027Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath applauded the district for its improvements while citing the need for more time to “achieve lasting success for students.”
Comal ISD dance teacher resigns amid inappropriate conduct allegations, district says
Read full article: Comal ISD dance teacher resigns amid inappropriate conduct allegations, district saysA Canyon Lake High School teacher has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate conduct with a former student, the Comal Independent School District confirmed to KSAT on Friday.
Texas House, Senate will seek middle ground on bill to scrap STAAR test
Read full article: Texas House, Senate will seek middle ground on bill to scrap STAAR testThe chambers differ on how much power districts should have to push back in courts over their accountability ratings. They risk keeping STAAR by default if they don’t reach an agreement.
SAISD program coordinator had summer school items delivered to his home, invoices show
Read full article: SAISD program coordinator had summer school items delivered to his home, invoices showPurchases for children in a San Antonio Independent School District summer program were delivered to the personal residence of a district employee, invoice records uncovered by KSAT Investigates show.
Texas’ youngest learners are behind in math and reading. A pair of bills aims to get them back on track.
Read full article: Texas’ youngest learners are behind in math and reading. A pair of bills aims to get them back on track.Students who are behind in third grade rarely catch up. Texas lawmakers want to intervene earlier.
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.