Abbott moves to bring Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA into Texas schools The governor touts ‘urgency and a need’ for Club America chapters amid criticism of influence on students The Guardian - US · Dec 9, 2025
How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in court Cases challenging Florida and federal policies provide a glimpse into the possible outcome for the Texas case. It is scheduled for a court hearing in Houston on Dec. 10. The Texas Tribune · Dec 2, 2025
Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schools The 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. The Texas Tribune · Nov 25, 2025
Fort Worth ISD takeover was largely based on STAAR test, despite plans to replace it Both Republicans and Democrats have said STAAR sets students up for failure, raising questions about basing a state takeover on the test’s results. The Texas Tribune · Oct 30, 2025
How a single Fort Worth ISD campus prompted a state takeover The district has struggled to bring students’ grades up, especially at campuses in low-income neighborhoods with large Black and brown populations. The Texas Tribune · Oct 29, 2025
Fort Worth ISD Parents Fear the Same Chaos that State Takeover Has Brought to Houston ISD TEA intervention into locally controlled school districts has become increasingly common—despite mixed results. Texas Observer · Oct 28, 2025
What you need to know about Texas’ takeover of Fort Worth ISD A 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. The Texas Tribune · Oct 24, 2025
Texas Education Agency takes over Fort Worth ISD, replacing its elected school board The North Texas district is the 11th since 2000 to be taken over by the state and the second largest after Houston ISD. The Texas Tribune · Oct 23, 2025
Texas investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts say Free 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. The Texas Tribune · Sep 30, 2025
Roughly 280 complaints filed against Texas teachers for alleged comments on killing of Charlie Kirk Several school districts have already taken disciplinary action against staff for comments made about the Christian conservative activist’s death. The Texas Tribune · Sep 16, 2025
Five Texas school districts at risk of a state takeover after ratings’ release The state can take control of a school district if at least one of its campuses receives a failing grade five years in a row. The Texas Tribune · Aug 16, 2025
Texas students make gains in reading but struggle with math, STAAR scores show The 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. The Texas Tribune · Jun 17, 2025
Texas Education Agency extends Houston school district takeover through 2027 Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath applauded the district for its improvements while citing the need for more time to “achieve lasting success for students.” The Texas Tribune · Jun 2, 2025
1 in 5 Texas schools got a D or F rating under new performance standards Failing 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. The Texas Tribune · Apr 24, 2025
The Texas Tribune · Apr 23, 2025 School districts stay quiet as lawmakers push to limit when they can sue the state School 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.
The Texas Tribune · Sep 18, 2024 Texas education commissioner calls for student cellphone ban in schools Mike Morath made the recommendation as concerns rise that phones are harmful to students’ mental health and distract them from learning.
The Texas Tribune · Sep 17, 2024 Dozens of Texas school districts press state to suspend new student data reporting system The superintendents said they haven’t received enough support from the state or time to fix errors the system generated.
The Texas Tribune · Sep 10, 2024 Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their funding The Texas Education Agency says there’s time to fix problems before officially reported data is used to determine how much money districts get.
The Texas Tribune · Aug 13, 2024 Church, state and the Texas Legislature: Debate heats up over what students should learn House hearing focuses on a curriculum plan and on school vouchers.
The Texas Tribune · Jul 19, 2024 Texas’ Christian-influenced curriculum spurs worries about bullying, church-state separation Some secular groups and members of other faiths say the curriculum could give schools too much control over how children are taught religion.
Texas Observer · Jul 16, 2024 Mike Miles Moved Texas School Funds to Colorado Through a Possible Shell Corporation Without a Paper Trail An Observer investigation has found irregularities in how the Houston ISD superintendent's Colorado charter school nonprofit did business in Texas.
The Texas Tribune · Jun 27, 2024 State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculum The proposal comes as part of a larger effort by officials in Texas and across the country to inject Christianity into public life.
The Texas Tribune · Jun 26, 2024 State Board of Education approves 4 new charter schools in Texas Public education advocates opposed the new charters, which would launch in Arlington, Austin, Big Spring and Manor.
The Texas Tribune · May 30, 2024 Texas education leaders unveil Bible-infused elementary school curriculum The proposed curriculum overhaul was released a week after the Texas GOP proposed requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools. School districts that opt to use them will get more funding.
The Texas Tribune · May 15, 2024 Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of state A 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.