Mary Lou Lang News
Texas lawmakers file bills to give equal access to home-schooled students for extracurriculars
Children who are homeschooled in several states have not been allowed to participate in public school extracurricular activities such as athletics and music but lawmakers in several states are aiming to end that prohibition.
STAAR testing returns but requirements weakened
Although standardized testing has returned to Texas schools after it was suspended last year due to the pandemic, the requirements of the test have been lowered, including the test accountability components for grade promotions.
Texas 2036 report: Nearly 250,000 students missing from schools during pandemic
Enrollment in Texas public schools has dropped substantially and one analysis shows nearly 250,000 students across all regions of the state are not in school, and that number could continue to grow.
Officials deliver on pay raises for Texas teachers
Texas teachers statewide received pay raises, with some receiving more than $5,200, as a result of a school finance reform bill that was passed in 2019.
Students' online cheating threatens integrity of grading
Students cheating on assignments that they are required to complete at home has always been a concern for educators, but with more online assignments due to the COVID-19 pandemic the issue has drawn more attention.
Abbott waives some STAAR requirements
A growing number of lawmakers, public officials and organizations in Texas are calling for the state’s education testing to be waived for the upcoming school year, and Gov. Greg Abbott this week waived certain requirements for the standardized test.
Texas education rules limit teachers' paperwork responsibilities during COVID-19 crisis
Many professions have seen increased workloads due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and teachers are no exception. School districts around the nation have increased the amount of documentation that educators are required to fill out.
Texas STAAR testing canceled as a result of coronavirus
School districts can now decide if students can graduate in Texas and other students can move on to the next grade without the previous requirement that they pass the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), the Texas Tribune reported.
State poised for takeover of Shepherd Independent School District
Even though a court temporarily blocked a state takeover of the Shepherd Independent School District school board members voted last week to essentially give up control of the four schools in their district, the Texas Tribune reported.