Latest News | Texas School Alliance Newsroom

Public Schools Face Funding ‘Death Spiral’ as Enrollment Drops

Dec 23, 2020 | TSA Priorities

Congress is sending more relief money to schools, but coronavirus-related costs and declining state funding tied to student enrollment are driving districts toward a financial crisis.

Low Enrollments Are About to Cost Texas School Districts Lots of Money

Nov 5, 2020 | TSA Priorities

Enrollments across the state are down in Texas, who stands to lose the most? School districts and students.

Enrollment Is Dropping In Public Schools Around the Country

Oct 9, 2020 | From Around The State

Public schools are facing a unprecedented student enrollment decline across the nation from the pandemic, especially in PreK.

“Training” for Change Helps Harlingen CISD Pivot To Face Crisis

Oct 8, 2020 | From Around The State

In the 1984 movie The Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach karate to novice Daniel LaRusso. His...

Help is Knocking for Alief ISD Students

Oct 7, 2020 | From Around The State

Alief ISD is one of the Texas school districts that are facing unexpected declines in student enrollment – mostly in Pre-Kindergarten classes.

Lawmakers call on Gov. Greg Abbott to Plan To Expand Broadband Access As Pandemic Worsens Disparities

Sep 15, 2020 | From Around The State

Over 80 Texas legislators have signed on to a letter requesting Gov. Abbott to expand broadband access throughout the state.

Cornyn: We need to do more to help those on wrong side of Digital Divide

Sep 9, 2020 | From Around The State

Madam President, each year during the month of August, I look forward to traveling across my...

What Does Online Learning Technology Look Like?

Aug 25, 2020 | From Around The State

Virtual learning is well underway in many North Texas schools. Districts have spent all summer...

It’s Time to Stand Up For Texas Public Schools, Students

Aug 13, 2020 | From Around The State

By: Anette Carlisle Texas has chosen to abandon our local public schools, locally elected school...

‘We can’t ignore this’: Hidalgo, Harris County health officials issue guidance for school reopenings

Aug 13, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

By: Jasper Scherer and Jacob Carpenter | Aug. 12, 2020 | Updated: Aug. 12, 2020 5:57 p.m. Harris...

Digital divide: Many kids ‘not engaged’ during remote learning, not completing assignments

Aug 12, 2020 | From Around The State

HOUSTON — The COVID-19 pandemic is teaching Houston-area school districts some hard lessons about...

How students, teachers, parents are adjusting to remote learning at Alief ISD

Aug 11, 2020 | Coronavirus

ALIEF, Texas – Monday marks the third day of the new semester in Alief Independent School...

The No-Win School Reopening: One Superintendent’s Dilemma

Aug 11, 2020 | Coronavirus

By Tawnell D. Hobbs | Photographs by Christopher Lee for The Wall Street Journal Aug. 10, 2020...

Schools Rely on the Census. A Rushed Count Threatens Its Accuracy, Groups Warn

Aug 11, 2020 | From Around The State

Written By: Evie Blad A critical part of the 2020 U.S. Census starts Tuesday, when workers...

Opinion: If Major League Baseball can’t prevent COVID-19, how can schools do better for teachers and students?

Aug 7, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

By: HD Chambers and Brian Woods Recently, Major League Baseball started its version of the 2020...

Amid pandemic, Austin ISD board moves school start date to Sept. 8

Aug 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

Austin ISD Board pushes school start back to September 8th because of coronavirus.

‘It’s different’ | Houston-area school districts anticipating remote learning challenges

Aug 6, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

Written By: Jason Miles | KHOU11 HOUSTON — Getting ready for the new year during the COVID-19...

Governor Abbott Provides Update On PPE Distribution To Texas Schools

Aug 6, 2020 | Coronavirus

Governor Abbott provided a new update on PPE distribution to Texas schools.

Alief ISD starts first day of school with virtual learning

Aug 6, 2020 | From Around The State

Alief ISD launched their first day back to school completely virtual due to coronavirus. Take a look at what they are doing for students.

PODCAST: Why online classes this fall should be much improved – helping kids AND parents

Aug 3, 2020 | From Around The State

Northside ISD Superintendent, Dr. Brian Woods, speaks out about the realities of school funding and reopening schools in the safest way.

Active Learning: The Secret To El Paso’s Success

Jul 28, 2020 | From Around The State

El Paso ISD sets the bar high for their students by using a teaching method referred to as Active Learning.

Texas Attorney General says local health authorities cannot “indiscriminately” shut down schools

Jul 28, 2020 | Coronavirus

Paxton guidance contradicts earlier information the TEA gave school districts that said local health authorities had the power to delay or close schools to in-person instruction.

Experts warn ‘worst-case scenario’ if Congress can’t reach deal on funding for school reopenings

Jul 27, 2020 | From Around The State

Funding for schools reopening will be a focal point of the next phase with both sides of the aisle agreeing that such a move is necessary, but the costs and parameters still need to be worked out.

Fact-check: Will Texas schools lose funding if they keep doors closed?

Jul 24, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

Written by: Sarah Asch | Austin American Statesman Facebook posts: ”(The Texas Education Agency)...

Editorial: What Gov. Abbott should do about STAAR testing this year for Texas schools

Jul 22, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

Written By: The Editorial Board at The Houston Chronicle When kids finally do return to classes...

Lower The Stakes On STAAR

Jul 17, 2020 | TSA Priorities

The academic world is upside down. Districts are grappling with how to deal with the looming...

Editorial: HISD has a lesson for Texas leaders: Let local districts decide reopening plans.

Jul 16, 2020 | From Around The State

HISD unveiled plans for the 2020-2021 school year for reopening, taking the precautious route for the safety of their students

New local orders bar in-person classes in Travis County schools until Sept. 7

Jul 15, 2020 | Coronavirus

Travis county health officials declared in-person instruction for school districts like Austin ISD unsafe and require online learning.

We must provide broadband to Texas schoolchildren

Jul 15, 2020 | From Around The State

A young teacher from Central Texas gets elected to the U.S. House of Representatives during the...

Texas school districts want state to rethink re-opening guidelines

Jul 13, 2020 | TSA Priorities

In just one month, Texas schools are still on track to re-open with face-to-face instruction,...

Texas teachers caught in the middle of political battles over schools reopening

Jul 10, 2020 | TSA Priorities

After TEA announced reopening plans, Texas teachers are voicing their concerns on safety when it comes to returning to the classroom.

Schools in El Paso ordered to not reopen schools until after Labor Day

Jul 10, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

Written By: Jamel Valencia | Adriana Candelaria Thursday, July 9th 2020 EL PASO, Texas...

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR REOPENING CAMPUSES THIS FALL Announced By TEA

Jul 7, 2020 | TSA Priorities

The Texas Education Agency announced Tuesday new safety guidelines for districts to follow upon...

AISD classes are planned to be 100% online or 100% in-person, superintendent says

Jul 7, 2020 | From Around The State

Written By: Russell Falcon, KXAN Staff | July 7, 2020 AUSTIN (KXAN) In a Facebook Live with Mayor...

State rep. urges Texas to reconsider stance on STAAR testing, issue federal waiver

Jul 7, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott and TEA Commissioner Mike Morath.

Warning of “COVID slide,” Texas Education Agency reports 1 in 10 students have disengaged during the pandemic

Jul 2, 2020 | From Around The State

A new statewide report from the TEA shows that more than 600,000 students didn’t complete assignments or respond to teacher outreach during the pandemic.

Under Cloud Of Coronavirus Fears, Northside ISD Plans Online-Only Options For Fall

Jul 1, 2020 | From Around The State

Northside ISD is looking at all options to reopen campuses for the fall 2020 school year with COVID-19 safety concerns still unanswered.

Texas Teachers Consider Leaving The Classroom Over COVID-19 Fears

Jul 1, 2020 | From Around The State

Written by: LAURA ISENSEE. For 40 years, Robin Stauffer has taught high school English in seven...

Canales: We Need more Transparency at Texas Charter Schools

Jun 1, 2020 | Vouchers

EDINBURG, Texas – State Rep. Terry Canales wants more transparency at Texas charter schools and...

IDEA Public Schools Will Pay Former CEO Tom Torkelson $900,000

Jun 1, 2020 | From Around The State

Written by: Emily Donaldson Texas’ largest charter school network, IDEA Public Schools, will pay...

Amid uncertainty about next school year, Fort Bend ISD to offer full-time at-home learning

May 29, 2020 | From Around The State

Fort Bend ISD plans to offer full time at home learning for the 2020-2021 school year allowing students to have options amid uncertainty.

Even as Texas faces financial hardship, public education funding must be prioritized

May 18, 2020 | From Around The State

Texas House of Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty writes about Texas’ public education funding crisis amid COVID-19.

“Between 0 and 100%”: Texas schools weigh the odds of students returning this fall

May 5, 2020 | From Around The State

Texas public school leaders are trying to draw up preliminary plans for bringing students back to classrooms after COVID-19.

TEA Shares Guidelines For Re-Entering Schools

Apr 17, 2020 | From Around The State

Thank you to the Texas Education Agency for sharing the guidance below for Texas teachers and...

Gov. Abbott Announces Texas Schools To Remain Closed For Remainder of 2019-2020 School Year

Apr 17, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

Gov. Greg Abbott announces plans to keep Texas schools closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Texas STAAR test requirements waived due to coronavirus outbreak

Mar 16, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

In an unprecedented move, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday he would waive testing requirements...

Most schools are completely unprepared for coronavirus and virtual learning

Mar 14, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

The threat of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, is forcing educators across the country to think...

TEA: Challenges for economically disadvantaged students increase when school canceled

Mar 13, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

AUSTIN, Texas — Despite concerns over the spread of coronavirus, school districts in Central Texas...

How Can K-12 Schools Make Up Time Lost To The Coronavirus? Scrap High Stakes Testing.

Mar 13, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

With every passing hour, more K-12 schools are closing. Ohio and Maryland have become the first to...

School districts across Texas suspend classes over coronavirus concerns, prepare for online learning

Mar 13, 2020 | From Around The State, Coronavirus

Some of the districts extending their spring breaks are working on contingency plans to transition hundreds of thousands of students and teachers to remote learning in the event of even longer closures.

Commentary: Standardized Tests a poor yard stick

Feb 29, 2020 | From Around The State

Is this learning? A student works on a STAAR simulation test in 2016. Annual tests and letter...

More young Texans are registering to vote. Will they actually turn out?

Feb 26, 2020 | From Around The State

Voter registration activity at Texas high schools spiked ahead of the 2018 general elections, when young and Hispanic voters turned out in record numbers for a midterm.