Education

A debate over books in Texas' public school libraries picked up new attention last week, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened legislative action unless Texas school districts pull books from the shelves that he and certain activists believe are "harmful" to students and families and violate Texas' Senate Bill 13. In a meeting of Lubbock ISD's board of trustees, the district stood by the parent-led library council and book review system established under state law.

Texas families are challenging the state’s new law calling for the 10 Commandments to be posted in every public schoolroom. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports families want to take it to the nation’s High Court. The criminal case against the former head of the Texas Lottery Commission returns to court today. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports Gary Grief faces a felony charge tied to a controversial 2023 jackpot. In Lubbock, Hub City Comic Con returns to the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center this weekend, and on Monday at 7 a.m. at Citizens Tower, Coffee with the Mayor will give citizens a chance to sit down one-on-one with city staff.

The Texas Education Agency has released the accountability rating for the 2025-2026 school year. Lubbock-Cooper ISD and Frenship ISD had lower scores in their overall rating compared to the year before, while Lubbock ISD continued a steady increase over the past two school years.

Stakeholders spoke about the detrimental impact of proposed changes during a press conference hosted by Texas nonprofit Children at Risk.

Texas public schools saw modest improvement in the state’s latest accountability ratings. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports about 85 percent of Texas public school campuses earned a passing grade this year. Nominations are now being accepted statewide for the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Program. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports educators and their schools can receive awards up to $1 million. Nominations can be made at HEBLovesTeachers.com through Sept. 30. Meanwhile child advocates are pushing back against proposed changes to the federal Head Start program.

When students return to their classrooms each year, the yellow lights begin blinking on top of school zone signs to alert drivers that they need to slow down when the kids are coming and going. But not every driver gets right back into the habit of slowing down and being extra careful around schools.

An early education expert says looser federal ratios, smaller overhead budgets and English-only rules could undercut a program serving thousands of low-income kids.

The state has released its first in-depth look at who is signing up for the state's new billion-dollar initiative.

Lubbock ISD and Texas Tech K-12 have launched a new virtual education program, intended to reach more families and provide resources for student success. Applications are open through August 10.

A state ban on most forms of THC went into effect on Friday and Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports it's already becoming an issue in Texas' U.S. Senate race. Yesterday, Lubbock ISD announced a partnership with Texas Tech K-12 to create a new online program called Lubbock ISD Virtual Education, or LIVE. Applications are open now and will close on Aug. 10. You can find more information and apply at LubbockISD.org/LIVE.