Texas schools

Critics say the curriculum overemphasizes Christianity. The board is expected to officially vote on whether to approve the materials later this week.

Darryl George had sought to reenroll at his Houston-area high school in the Barbers Hill school district after leaving at the start of his senior year in August because district officials were set to continue punishing him for not cutting his hair.

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.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 3 last year to address some of the issues that led to the botched police response during the Uvalde school shooting.

After more than a year of campaigning by Gov. Greg Abbott and three special sessions, the newest bill for Education Savings Accounts adds teacher pay raises, greater per-student allotment, a preference to families with lower incomes, and accountability measures. It still may not be enough to for legislators to approve sending public dollars to private schools.

A bill to increase the state’s support for school safety appears stalled in this month’s special legislative session. But even if it passes, superintendents warn it isn’t enough.

Abbott's announcement Tuesday suggests a renewed effort to divert public funds to private schools. Phelan’s office stopped short of calling it an agreement, saying the Republican speaker “looks forward to having robust discussions on school funding, teacher pay, and other critical issues with his House colleagues."

The measure could be considered by the full Senate as early as this week.

Late Thursday night, Arlington ISD became the latest school district to join a lawsuit against Education Commissioner Mike Morath because of concerns their ratings will drop drastically under the state's updated system.

A Black high school student in Texas was suspended for more than two weeks for wearing a natural hairstyle that school officials say violated the district's dress code.