Education

A judge says Texas has to speed up putting jail inmates who are incompetent to stand trial in mental health facilities. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports the order is part of a ten-year-long lawsuit against the state. Last week, Governor Greg Abbott launched a new teacher-led state commission to shape public education. The Texas Classroom Commission is tasked with developing recommendations ahead of the next legislative session on how to support teachers and improve educational outcomes.

Lubbock ISD’s school library advisory council first met in November to review books flagged as potentially inappropriate to be on the shelves, in compliance with state law. Lubbock-area state senator Charles Perry helped author the bill which established these councils, but at a recent board of trustees meeting, he joined a group of community members saying the district's process is flawed.

Abbott on Tuesday announced the launch of the Texas Classroom Commission, made up of current and former teachers, to identify innovative solutions for student success and provide recommendations ahead of the next legislative session.

The special election for Lubbock City Council’s District 4 representative is headed to a runoff. After votes were counted on Saturday, candidates Tim Green received 47% of the vote and Gary Boren took 38%. The special election runoff will be held in August. The Texas State Board of Education has approved a reading list that requires students to learn bible passages. As KERA's Bill Zeeble reports, the new required K-12 reading list will go into effect in 2030.

The State Board of Education on Friday approved a new reading list that includes numerous Bible passages, and a social studies curriculum that emphasizes U.S. and Texas history over world cultures. Approved changes start taking effect in 2030.

Lubbock Independent School District is seeking recommendations from the community in the naming of three new schools. The board of trustees will consider names based on geographical features, names with historical significance, names of retired educators or board members, or that recognize community partners. You can submit suggestions through Aug. 1. Tonight, the Lubbock ISD board of trustees is holding a public hearing regarding the proposed district budget and tax rate for the upcoming school year. Our Samantha Larned reports the proposed tax rate is unchanged from last year and the total budget is a more than 11% decrease from last year. You can find links to the budget and to request public comment here.

The State Board of Education will vote on incorporating more Christian stories into public classrooms as well as on deemphasizing race and cultural diversity in history lessons.

The Better Business Bureau is reporting a spike in scam phone calls offering loans. Houston Public Media’s Rob Salinas spoke with the Lubbock regional director of the Better Business Bureau who says not to take the bait. Hundreds of people testified yesterday before the Texas State Board of Education as members prepare to vote on controversial new reading and social studies curriculum, including Bible stories.

The Republican-majority State Board of Education is scheduled to vote this week on adopting curriculum changes statewide. Critics say the new social studies lessons and reading lists over-emphasize Christianity.

More than 95,000 Texas families found out that they would receive the school vouchers they applied for in the first round of funding from the $1 billion Education Savings Account program.