Education

New data shows Texas had the fifth-highest rate of corporal punishment in the 2021-2022 school year. The psychological effects on children can be harmful.

This semester marks one year since the state’s private school voucher program launched with a $1 billion budget. And this week, West Texans appeared before the Texas Senate committee on education to talk the impact. Our Brad Burt reports on Levelland ISD and Lubbock ISD.

During Wednesday’s Texas Senate Education Committee meeting, lawmakers hinted at possibly strengthening a law designed to give parents more control over library materials.

The Texas Library Association found that library services across the state offer an economic boon to local communities.

Roughly 30% of voucher recipients previously attended public schools. When those students leave their districts for private or home school options they take with them thousands in state funding.

Texas public school districts could lose nearly $300 million in state funding to the voucher program, according to a report from watchdog groups Our Schools Our Democracy and Every Texan. Monday is the last day to register to vote for the November 3 election. Our Riley Wilson reports you can check your status at VoteTexas.gov. You can register or update your information in person at the Lubbock County Elections Office at 1308 Crickets Ave, Lubbock, TX 79401 or by mail to the office at 1308 Crickets Avenue, P.O. Box 10536, Lubbock, TX 79408.

In last week’s meeting, Lubbock ISD’s board of trustees announced names for three new elementary schools. Our Samantha Larned has more on the Lubbockites who will be honored by these schools. In that same meeting, District 5 Trustee John Weddige announced his resignation from the board to devote more time to his family. The district will be accepting letters of interest and resumes for the District 5 seat by email at communications@lubbockisd.org until Oct. 15.

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.