EDUCATION
These librarians won’t let America’s fever hit Fahrenheit 451
| March 20, 2025
bannedbooks | bookbans | books | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | Community | CULTURE | EQUALITY | History | libraries | library | LITERATURE | national politics | old texas | politcal | political | politics | public education | schools | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS
A new documentary shows us our local guardians of intellectual freedom in battle.
Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.
| March 17, 2025
CHILDCARE | EDUCATION | JOBS | lawmakers | politcal | political | politics | public school | schools | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE
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.
Public school funding in Texas doesn’t match community support, advocate says
| March 6, 2025
DFW | EDUCATION | funding | old texas | public education | public school | state legislature | TEXAS HOUSE
Amid declining enrollments and budget shortfalls, public school supporters are concerned that a $1 billion school voucher program will funnel more money away from neighborhood schools.
Texas may change how schools select library books. Critics say it could lead to more bans.
| March 6, 2025
bookbans | books | censorship | CIVIL RIGHTS | libraries | library | old texas | politcal | political | politics | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS
Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils largely made up of parents. It would give school boards, rather than librarians, the final say over new books.
Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEI
| February 27, 2025
censorship | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | college | COLLEGE STUDENTS | EDUCATION | EQUALITY | EXTREMISM | HIGHER EDUCATION | lawmakers | old texas | politcal | political | politics | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS
At a public event last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said higher ed would get less funding if they don’t “kick DEI out of their schools,” a few weeks after lawmakers proposed a massive cut to public universities.
Texas Senate passes $1B school vouchers bill to spend public funds on private schools
| February 7, 2025
The Texas Senate easily passed a controversial school voucher bill that Democrats criticized for not prioritizing low-income students.
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
| February 6, 2025
This year, the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature is expected to pick up where it left off two years ago to address a perceived liberal bias at the state’s public, four-year universities.
$1 billion school voucher bill clears first hurdle in Texas Senate
| January 31, 2025
A bill creating a $1 billion school voucher program for 100,000 Texas students is on a fast-track for approval in the state Senate.
I’m helping my college-age kid fill out the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Here’s what to know.
| December 6, 2024
If the financial aid fiasco last year had you, like me, coming up with creative alternatives for the FAFSA acronym, you can take a big, deep breath. This year, the process is so much easier. Or maybe you’re a FAFSA newbie, and you have no knowledge of 2023’s drama—you just want the quick ‘n’ easy […]
A North Texas lawmaker wants to make book banning easier in schools
| December 4, 2024
bannedbooks | bookbans | books | censorship | DALLAS | DFW | DFW Lead Story | frisco | libraries | library | old texas | schools
Rep. Jared Patterson’s House Bill 183 would allow parents to request that the Texas State Board of Education review materials in public school libraries, challenging a book to be removed if they believe it to be inappropriate for the grade level or if it has “sexually explicit material.”
Texas approves Bluebonnet, its new Bible-infused curriculum for schools
| November 26, 2024
The Texas Board of Education narrowly approved controversial new learning materials for schools after Gov. Greg Abbott rigged the vote.
Meet Bluebonnet Learning, Texas’ Bible-infused curriculum for schools
| November 22, 2024
The Texas Board of Education is poised to approve Bluebonnet Learning, a Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools despite criticism that it’s factually inaccurate.