Education

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.

Midland school trustees argue they have minimal control over local taxes and can’t properly serve students as a recapture system redistributes millions of the district’s revenue.

More than 1 in 5 Texans with student loans are in default, meaning they have not made a payment in at least 270 days. KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports that’s at least 10 percent more than a year ago. Lubbock Independent School District is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss potential names for the three new elementary schools being built, tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center. Our Charley Maranville reports the district is taking recommendations until August 1.

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.