Educators Hate It, So Why Is Texas Keeping the STAAR Test Alive?

Behind efforts to eliminate the state test that stresses kids out and shuts schools down

"...12. It’s the primary way Texas decides how kids, schools, and school districts are performing. The results are the..."

May 23, 2025 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Fearing State Takeover, Austin ISD Plans to Replace Middle School Teachers

New staff planned for three poor-performance schools

"...proposing the same changes at Webb and Burnet middle schools...."

May 16, 2025 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Sixteen Austin Schools Drop From B to F Ratings Under New State Measure

A state takeover of the district’s school board becomes likelier

"...the A-F scores that purport to show how well schools are educating students. Rodriguez’s just-released 2023 score is radically..."

May 2, 2025 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Opinion: AISD Officials, Lamar Parents Should Learn From the Past

As AISD decides the fate of Dobie Middle School, school officials and Lamar Middle School parents should consider the past closure of Anderson High to ensure that history does not repeat itself

"...immediately recall a previous school closure and wealthy white schools’ hostility to Black students entering previously white spaces...."

May 2, 2025 Column by Allison Raven

AISD Superintendent Considers Moving Hundreds of Students From Dobie to Lamar Middle School

Parents and staff worry as AISD avoids possible state takeover

"...out three options to keep TEA out of local schools: allowing a charter school to take over management of..."

April 25, 2025 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Family and Staff Dismayed at Dobie Middle School’s Likely Closure

Austin ISD could face state takeover if school remains open

"...two years, then reopening it; or bringing in a charter school to take over management of the school...."

April 18, 2025 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

One Week After Warning of School Consolidations, AISD May Have Its First Target

Dobie Middle School low test scores create risk of TEA takeover

"...celebrate the award of a million dollar grant for schools on the northeast side of town. The grant, known..."

April 11, 2025 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

MAGA Moms and the Republican Resistance to School Vouchers

Make education public again

"...– that lets parents divert taxpayer money from public schools for use in their children’s private schooling. These parents..."

March 21, 2025 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Bills Reignite Debates Over Church-State Separation

Texas lawmakers revive Ten Commandments and prayer in public schools legislation

"...lawmakers are again looking to inject religion into public schools. Senate Bill 10 would require every classroom to display..."

March 14, 2025 News Feature by Lucciana Choueiry

Fernando de Urioste Wins At-Large Austin ISD Seat

AISD gets union-preferred trustee

"...the need, some families have put their kids in charter schools and private schools. De Urioste said that AISD..."

Dec. 20, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Austin ISD’s New Board Is Mostly Decided, With One Runoff to Go

Two former teachers will face off in December

"...representation. “I’m from the district, I graduated from these schools, I was raised on the Eastside by my tía,”..."

Nov. 8, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Teacher Voting "No" on Prop A

"...Dear Editor, Most students in Austin public schools are economically disadvantaged, yet taxpayers in Austin annually send..."

Oct. 17, 2024 Postmarks

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...of dollars of Texas taxpayer money to his for-profit charter school network in Colorado. Mike Miles was given control..."

Oct. 18, 2024 News Feature

Austin ISD Election Season Is Underway

The candidates are getting their messages out

"...Springs, where two of her three children attend AISD schools. She describes herself as a career educator who once..."

Aug. 30, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Matilda, The Matrix, and Mixers in This Week’s Recommended Events

Get nerdy, brooding, and out there with these suggestions

"...throwing kids around at one of Greg Abbott’s beloved charter schools ... what a world. Thankfully, there’s still plenty..."

Aug. 9, 2024 Arts Feature by James Scott

Point Austin: The Abbott and GOP Project Is an Exercise in Brute Political Cynicism

What’s at stake in Texas

"...will require to impose a “voucher” system on public schools. The voucher program would in fact create a major..."

June 12, 2024 News Post by Michael King

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...blurring line between church and state in Texas’ public schools. A Rice University survey of the Texas educational landscape..."

May 17, 2024 News Feature

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Schools Don’t Really Want Chaplains: Texas Republicans spent a significant..."

April 12, 2024 News Feature

UT-Austin Lays Off People in 60 DEI-Related Positions

Senator threatens legal action if schools don't comply with new law

"...Hartzell stresses that disability services, University Interscholastic League, UT charter schools, and other “volunteer and community programs” will be..."

April 2, 2024 News Post by Lina Fisher

How Austin Transformed Danny Brown

The Detroit wild card on getting his shit together (and finding H-E-B)

"...city’s east side, Brown’s parents enrolled him in a charter school, not far from the affluent suburb of Grosse..."

March 29, 2024 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Ignoring Charter Schools' Failures: Since being appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott,..."

Oct. 13, 2023 News Feature

Texas GOP's Book Bans Are the First Step in Anti-Public Education Crusade

Banning books (for Jesus!)

"...the last two years, as criticisms of books in schools surge. PEN America, the prominent anti-censorship group, estimates that..."

June 30, 2023 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Thee: In a letter to Texas school districts and charter schools, the ACLU announced their opposition to a new..."

June 30, 2023 News Feature

State Offers Exciting New Incentives Package to Retain Public School Teachers

Tough times for teachers, but the Texas GOP is here to help

"...a crisis of teacher retention in the state's public schools, companion bills passed both chambers of the Legislature last..."

March 31, 2023 News Feature by the News Staff

Public Notice: School Boards and Rail Lines

Searching for a super, roughing out the rail routes

"...problems – falling enrollment, teacher retention, changing demographics, "failing" schools – much of which tracks back to a district..."

March 17, 2023 News Column by Nick Barbaro

New Law Could Enable School Construction Across Texas

The limit does not exist!

"...Land Office. The diversified investment portfolio supports public and charter schools, and allows school districts to get AAA bond..."

Feb. 17, 2023 News Feature by Madi Donham

Opinion: From Mentorship to Pay – Smart Solutions to the Teacher Shortage

An Austin teacher has ideas for what the Texas Legislature can do to fix our educator crisis

"...worked on the same campus at a Title I charter school in Austin. Claire was the reason I wanted..."

Feb. 17, 2023 Column by Matthew Balter

Texas Lege Preview: Are School Vouchers a Shoo-In?

House Dems (and rural Republicans) ready to rally for public education

"...the Texas House, has two children in Austin ISD schools. "My fifth-grader didn't get a teacher this year because..."

Jan. 13, 2023 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Lawmakers Ask for Federal Help to Stretch Texas School Bond Dollars

Hitting the ceiling

"...$48.3 billion diversified investment portfolio that supports public and charter schools. It was created in 1854 with $2 million..."

Nov. 11, 2022 News Feature by Madi Donham

Mayor's Race, Districts 3, 5, and 9 All Headed to Run-Off

Ready for round 2

"...interests ranging from real estate to organized labor to charter schools. "We did it," Israel told supporters while huddling..."

Nov. 11, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

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