Education

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has requested legislators double the money behind the state’s private school voucher program to $2 billion. More than 100,000 students sit on the waitlist, but critics argue there is little evidence vouchers are delivering on their promises to justify expanding the program.

The Texas State Board of Education approved an updated social studies curriculum that many Muslims says discriminates against them and ignores Islam's scientific and cultural contributions made through history.

American farmers will likely feel the squeeze of higher tariffs exchanged with Canada on both their supply costs and sales starting this week. The import taxes will affect everything from dairy products to ag equipment. Lubbock Independent School District is accepting applications for its annual Community Leadership Academy. Our Samantha Larned reports the meetings are intended as a way for parents and community members to learn more about what goes into operating a school district. You can find more information and apply through Sept. 18 on Lubbock ISD’s website here.

The White House has approved a federal disaster declaration for 19 Texas counties following storms and flooding in July. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports the declaration allows FEMA to step in to begin assistance with public recovery efforts. The Texas State Board of Education is expected to ok controversial updates to high school social studies lessons today. KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports the new curriculum associates Islam with terrorism and slavery. Tomorrow is Texas Tech's first football game of the season.

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.