Education

Public universities across Texas have instituted sweeping changes to course teachings and offerings in recent months, in a bid to appease concerns from Republican lawmakers that they're indoctrinating students with what they consider to be liberal ideas.

At the end of 2024, the announcement that three Lubbock ISD schools were to be closed or consolidated led to many questions from Lubbock parents on policy and transparency, with the district saying more closures would be considered. Our reporter Brad Burt has more on how the school district is responding, including a dashboard with summarized data on performance metrics, staff experience and enrollment.

In January of this year, Lubbock ISD’s Board of Trustees approved a “District Optimization Plan," with criteria to determine which area schools will be considered for consolidation or closure in the future. A new dashboard on the LISD website shows which Lubbock schools are below the mark.

A former city council representative filed to run for District 4's council seat in March, shortly after sitting councilor Brayden Rose announced his resignation, but the application has since been denied on the grounds that he did not meet the residency requirements under state law. And as the Texas State Board of Education discusses plans for a new Social Studies curriculum, KUT’s Greta Díaz González Vázquez reports some educators have taken issue with the proposal.

Election Day for city offices and school districts is coming up on May 2. Our Samantha Larned reports on two proposed voter bonds from Slaton Independent School District. Texas outpaced the nation in job growth in January, according to numbers from the Texas Workforce Commission. But Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider says unemployment ticked up from December.

The U.S. Department of Education proposed a rule that could limit how much students can borrow for different degree programs. A KERA listener wants to know how that could affect health disparities in Texas.

The process of rewriting the curriculum has been contentious, with some raising concerns about what it emphasizes. People who have been involved in the process say the changes are part of a conservative agenda and worry teachers will struggle to cover all the content.

The demographic breakdown of applicants shows Texas' voucher program will likely not reflect the diversity of Texas public school students.

Caprock Canyon State Park and Trailway, home to the state's bison herd, has acquired around 1,100 new acres of land. Our Charley Maranville reports Texas Parks and Wildlife will seek public input on recreational opportunities for the property. On Thursday, the Dallas Independent School District board voted to offer free universal pre-K across the district. KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports enrollment starts next month.

Schools were also directed to cancel or change celebrations of the late civil rights leader amid allegations of sexual abuse.