Past Contributions

• Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.

  By Brian Lopez Feb. 12, 2024

  Policy experts worry students will fall short of the state's future workforce needs. Educators hope the new curriculum will help them. Full Story 

• Texas Education Agency takes over La Joya ISD after investigating school board for fraud and conflicts of interest

  By Brian Lopez Feb. 1, 2024

  The TEA appointed a “board of managers” to replace the district’s school board trustees and named a new superintendent. Full Story 

• Texas’ new school safety law mostly addresses the Justice Department’s advice. But funding fixes is still an issue.

  By Brian Lopez Jan. 19, 2024

  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. Full Story 

• Texas’ school ratings remain in limbo as the state and school districts fight over how strict the grading should be

  By Brian Lopez Jan. 16, 2024

  Dozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency last fall, claiming revisions to the state’s accountability system would hurt them. Full Story 

• How Gov. Greg Abbott lost a yearlong fight to create school vouchers

  By Patrick Svitek, Zach Despart and Brian Lopez Dec. 22, 2023

  The governor projected confidence throughout 2023 that vouchers would pass. But his insistence on universal eligibility ensured his failure to convince 21 House Republican holdouts. Full Story 

• A Texas high school is piloting the state’s first-ever Asian American studies course. Could politics stand in its way?

  By Brian Lopez Dec. 19, 2023

  The course highlights Asian Americans’ contributions in U.S. history. It also seeks to offer an honest look at the mistreatment, like the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Full Story 

• Texas Senate passes its own school safety funding bill, but little time remains to get it across the finish line

  By Brian Lopez Dec. 1, 2023

  Senate Bill 5 would send an extra $800 million to public schools for security upgrades over the next two years. But the measure is at risk of becoming the latest casualty of the rift between the Texas House and Senate. Full Story 

• “Our public school system is our town”: Why this rural Republican is voting against school vouchers

  By Brian Lopez and Patrick Svitek Nov. 17, 2023

  Despite intense political pressure, Republican Rep. Gary VanDeaver said he won’t support a bill that includes school vouchers. Rural Republicans like VanDeaver have long opposed school vouchers because of the unique role public schools they play in their communities. Full Story 

• Texas House votes to remove school vouchers from massive education bill

  By Zach Despart and Brian Lopez Updated: Nov. 17, 2023

  The outcome was an embarrassment to Gov. Greg Abbott, who spent seven months lobbying two dozen Republicans who signaled opposition to vouchers in April. Full Story 

• The Texas House’s new priority education bill offers concessions to sway voucher skeptics

  By Brian Lopez and Maia Pandey Updated: Nov. 7, 2023

  The revised bill promises a significant funding increase for public schools and academic accountability measures for students participating in the proposed voucher program, two of the biggest requests from voucher opponents. Full Story