Texas public schools

The governor must first win over lawmakers who have rejected similar proposals. The state may have to backfill more than $17 billion for school funding alone.

Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida have also launched plans to expand the presence of the conservative youth organization founded by Charlie Kirk.

Bookmarked, based in North Texas, advertises itself as "antivirus for libraries."

According to an analysis by IDRA, 18% of students who started 9th grade in 2020 left school without graduating last year — a record low attrition rate.

Some advisers have criticized diversity efforts, questioned the historical contributions of people of color, and promoted debunked beliefs.

Attorney General Paxton sent letters to Garland, Northwest, Judson and Liberty Hill ISDs accusing them of using tax dollars to advocate for recent school funding elections, something the districts deny.

Similar lawsuits in Texas and Louisiana have moved to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and will be heard in January.

As the nation prepares for SNAP benefits to halt on Saturday, leaders turned their attention to public schools. For millions of students, school is the most reliable source of meals.

More than half of new Texas classroom teachers who joined the profession last year lacked certification. Education leaders say that's hurting students and district budgets.

For the first time since Texas authorized the program, the state heard public testimony from people concerned about pre-K funding, special education provisions and data reporting.