Education

The U.S. Department of Education recognized National Blue Ribbon Schools for the year 2024, including several schools from the area. State lawmakers got an update on last year's new school safety legislation, where committee members expressed concerns over the strain it may have on district budgets. And Lubbock County Commissioners yesterday passed a reduced budget but will likely be forced to adopt a no-new-revenue tax rate.

The Texas Education Agency can't release A-F grades while a lawsuit brought be a handful of school districts moves forward.

Texas Tech Public Media helped organize a Public Education Panel on September 9 about the current state and potential future of public education in Texas, covering topics such as teacher retention, religion, vouchers and funding, and more. We have provided a recording of the event and a transcript of the panelists’ responses.

Supporters say kids need to understand the Bible to understand American literature. But opponents say kids are too young for this type of instruction and the materials could alienate students who aren't Christian.

Lubbock-area school districts released a joint statement after a series of threats early last week that led to multiple schools being evacuated. And Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider has more on the Attorney General's threats to sue counties over certain efforts to increase voter registration.

Texas Tech Public Media collaborated with several community partners to put on a Public Education Panel on September 9. Our news team has created a list of resources to provide further context for attendees and anyone interested in the current state of public education in Texas.

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has suspended an employee over social media comments described as quote “antisemitic.” And Texas Public Radio Education Reporter Camille Phillips reports the largest charter school network in Texas is intervening in a lawsuit over the state’s academic accountability ratings.

At Thursday’s meeting, the Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a new health care plan – with higher out-of-pocket expenses for teachers and staff. While one trustee offered a compromise, LISD administrators say the district remains in a challenging financial position.

Between inflation, costly mandates, and an apparent lack of support from the state government – public school districts across Texas are struggling with their budgets, and Lubbock county is no exception.

Frenship Independent School District is calling for a voter approved tax ratification election and bond election this November. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on what the funding would go toward if approved. And with dangerous heat-conditions across the South Plains, volunteers will be distributing free fans for Lubbockites on Saturday.