Texas Education Agency

During his full-throttle push to pass private school vouchers this legislative session, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott repeatedly claimed that funding for public schools "is at an all-time high." A TPR fact-check found that to be misleading, based on an analysis of state data and expert interviews.

The Texas Education Agency won a year-and-a-half long civil case that argued ratings wouldn't fairly represent districts' performance.

After hours of debate — and years of pushing from Gov. Greg Abbott — the Texas House gave initial approval to a bill to create an Education Savings Account plan. The school voucher program would allow parents to use public funds towards private school costs.

Some Texas legislators may be done questioning the merits of education savings accounts as it moves to a vote in the State House, but voters aren't. Model programs in other states are showing rural voters could stand to lose the most, and they're preparing to do the math on election day.

A judge blocked the release of the state’s 2023 school ratings after a lawsuit from more than 120 Texas school districts.

This legislative session, creating Education Savings Accounts — which would let parents use public funds towards private education costs — is a top priority for many Texas Republicans. But the voucher plan has also caused contentious clashes between some rural voters and the lawmakers who represent them.

Senate Bill 10 passed late Wednesday on a party-line vote. Democrats condemned the measure as unconstitutional and a threat to religious liberty.

The bill would ban diversity, equity and inclusion policies related to hiring and programming, while creating ways for parents to complain about violations to the DEI ban.

Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.

If passed, the legislation would create a program where parents could use state tax dollars toward sending their kids to private schools. While it’s a priority for many Republicans, those opposed to the idea aren’t staying quiet.