Latest News
Chairman Buckley: Students in Texas will be getting 'classical content' with TEA's new open education resources
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 24, 2024
Brad Buckley, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, said the curriculum is classical content, not religious, and it includes a parental portal for transparency, allowing parents to see what their children are being taught and help them at home. Buckley was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Rep. Buckley: ‘Evidence-based’ lessons promote ‘kids to move forward’
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 21, 2024
Brad Buckley, Chairman of the Texas House Committee on Public Education, said that lessons must transition easily to higher grades, and that evidence-based practices in English language arts can improve reading and comprehension as a foundation for students' progress. Buckley was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Communities Foundation of Texas appoints Reo Pruiett as Chief Programs & Engagement Officer
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 19, 2024
The Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) announced that Dr. Reo Pruiett has been appointed as Chief Programs & Engagement Officer. The organization—with offices in Dallas, Austin, and Harlingen—created this new role as part of its plan to restructure the programmatic operations of Educate Texas.
Rep. Buckley: ‘Kids that you would expect to succeed are those that face more challenges’
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 19, 2024
Brad Buckley, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, said his family has a long history in education, and he is concerned about improving outcomes for students, particularly those who face greater challenges. Buckley was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Former Texas SBOE chair: ‘English language arts area has history, science, and arts all integrated into it’
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 17, 2024
Donna Bahorich, former Texas State Board of Education chair, said the new English language arts curriculum integrates history, science, and the arts, providing engaging stories and true historical content to build students' knowledge year after year. Bahorich was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Texas Education Agency has awarded more than $290M in TIA funding to retain teachers
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 13, 2024
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has awarded more than $290 million in Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) funds. The funding was received by nearly 25,000 designated Texas teachers during the 2023-24 school year.
Former Texas State Board of Education chair: I have been ‘involved in things to do with education since 2007’
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 10, 2024
Donna Bahorich, former chair of the Texas State Board of Education chair, said she has been working on education in Texas since 2007 and served eight years on the board, including the four years as chair. Bahorich was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Texas Education Agency's new curriculum receives widespread endorsement
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 7, 2024
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently announced the release of the new Open Education Resources. TEA's efforts were a response to HB1605 which aimed to strength parental rights, ensured school materials were age-appropriate, and directed TEA to establish a set of state-owned curriculum. Since its release, legislators, experts, and others have commented on the recently published instructional material from TEA:
Texas State Library and Archives Commission announces June meeting in Brenham
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 5, 2024
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has announced that it will hold its annual June meeting in Brenham on Friday, June 7, 2024, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Commission supports libraries, educational activities, and information services throughout the state, provides access to statewide e-resources, and awards funds every year to libraries undertaking innovative projects.
THSC director: We want to ‘help offset the cost of UIL activities’ for homeschools students
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 4, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said the coalition proposed a bill to provide $1,500 to school districts for each homeschooled student participating in UIL activities, aiming to offset costs and dispel the myth that homeschoolers shouldn't compete in public school events. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Representative Troxclair to propose legislation regarding cell phones in Texas schools
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 3, 2024
According to a book by Jonathan Haidt, the Anxious Generation, the mental health crisis among children is real, pressing, and partly due to major increases in smartphone use by kids.
CLEAT charitable arm names awardees of 2024 scholarship
By Lone Star Standard | May 31, 2024
Sixteen graduating Texas high school seniors have been named recipients of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas's (CLEAT) 2024 Peace Officers Memorial Foundation (POMF) Scholarship. The POMF, which serves as CLEAT's charitable arm, annually awards the scholarship to the dependents of the state's law enforcement officers who are either graduating high school or enrolled in an accredited college or university.
Texas unveils open education resource textbooks for public feedback
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
AUSTIN, TX – May 29, 2024 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the availability of the Texas Open Education Resources (OER) textbooks today, initiating a public feedback process. House Bill (HB) 1605 (88th Regular Session) directed the TEA to develop state-owned instructional materials, known as Texas OER textbooks, to support teachers and improve student academic outcomes. These optional textbooks aim to enhance student learning, close achievement gaps, and better support Texas teachers in mathematics and elementary literacy.
TPPF CEO Says New Open Education Resources Are A "Game-Changer" For Teachers And Student Achievement
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
The Texas Education Agency’s new high-quality instructional materials will significantly improve educational outcomes and provide substantial support for teachers, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Sindelar. TEA recently published the revised materials as part of a new review process passed by the Texas Legislature last year. The revised materials align with the state’s standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), follow evidence-based instructional strategies, and include a comprehensive knowledge base...
Governor Abbott supports new open education resources from Texas Education Agency
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement supporting the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) new open education resource (OER) instructional materials unveiled this morning.
THSC director: ‘There's always a reason to be cautious’ in regards to parental rights and education
By Lone Star Standard | May 30, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said that while there are no local threats following the juvenile curfew bill's passage, the Texas Legislature's sessions always require vigilance, prompting her to relocate to Austin with a policy team to monitor hearings on parental rights and education. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
THSC director: ‘We invited our homeschool members to’ homeschool at the Capitol
By Lone Star Standard | May 29, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said that last year, they advocated for school choice and parental choice opportunities by inviting homeschool families to the Capitol to observe legislative sessions and learn about the lawmaking process. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Texas State Library launches dashboard for public library internet speeds
By Lone Star Standard | May 28, 2024
Austin, TX – The Library Digital Opportunity office (LDO) at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has launched a new Texas Public Libraries Speed Test Dashboard. This tool enables Texas public libraries and their patrons to compare their internet upload and download speeds with others across the state.
THSC director: In 1986 ‘Homeschool families rallied and sued every school district in Texas’
By Lone Star Standard | May 28, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said that in 1986, attorney Shelby Sharp led homeschool families to sue over 1,100 Texas school districts for the right to homeschool, despite opposition from the then-attorney general who claimed parents were unfit to raise their children. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
THSC director: ‘Texas is one of the freest states to homeschool’
By Lone Star Standard | May 27, 2024
Anita Scott, director of Public Policy at the Texas Home School Coalition, said Texas, one of the freest states for homeschooling, now considers homeschooling a type of private school due to a 1994 Supreme Court ruling, and the Coalition has been protecting this right for over three decades. Scott was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
