https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jaden-edison/The latest news by Jaden Edison.enThu, 30 Jan 2025 15:26:47 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/30/texas-aclu-bible-bluebonnet-curriculum/The coalition of legal organizations told Texas school district leaders that it would “take any action” necessary to protect the rights of students and their families.By Jaden EdisonThu, 30 Jan 2025 15:26:47 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/30/texas-aclu-bible-bluebonnet-curriculum/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/texas-naep-scores-math-reading/Texas students' overall math scores dropped from 2022. But English learners and fourth-grade Black students did better than their peers elsewhere.By Jaden Edison, Graphics by Rob ReidWed, 29 Jan 2025 18:31:58 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/texas-naep-scores-math-reading/Texas fourth- and eight-graders' overall math and reading scores in the National Assessment of Educational Progress test dropped last year, though some groups of students, like English learners and Black fourth-graders, outperformed their peers in other parts of the country.FILE: A student in Austin raises a hand in class in April 2013.Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/texas-senate-education-hearing-school-vouchers/The Senate could vote on the proposal as soon as next week. Democrats on Tuesday criticized the bill saying it fails to prioritize the state’s neediest children.By Jaden EdisonTue, 28 Jan 2025 19:34:42 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/texas-senate-education-hearing-school-vouchers/State Sen. Brandon Creighton, center, chair of the Texas Senate's Committee on Education K-16, lays out the chamber's plan to create an education savings account program at a hearing at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 28, 2025.State Sen. Brandon Creighton, chair of the Senate Committee on Education K-16, lays out the SB2 plan for an education savings account program at a hearing at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 28, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/24/texas-senate-school-choice-vouchers-education-savings-accounts/Senate Bill 2 starts a new debate on a school voucher program in Texas. A funding proposal would allow up to 100,000 K-12 students who want to enroll to a private school to participate.By Jaden Edison and Pavan AcharyaFri, 24 Jan 2025 11:06:55 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/24/texas-senate-school-choice-vouchers-education-savings-accounts/The Texas Senate filed on Friday its priority bill to create a voucher-like program known as education savings accounts.Students in Mrs. Hogan's kindergarten class on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary. Sept. 8, 2020 in Highland Village.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/23/texas-schools-tea-immigration-guidance/More than two dozen Texas Democrats expressed concern about the elimination of a federal policy preventing immigration arrests at schools.By Jaden EdisonThu, 23 Jan 2025 16:46:15 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/23/texas-schools-tea-immigration-guidance/Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom in Odessa on Sept. 13, 2023.Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom as they wait for a teacher between periods Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/23/texas-vouchers/Vouchers would let parents use public funds to pay for their kids’ private education. Learn about how they could work and the political battle around them.By Jaden Edison, AI tools by Suraj Thapa, Graphics by Yuriko SchumacherThu, 23 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/23/texas-vouchers/Lorenzo G Alarcon Elementary School received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to create a calming and quiet room with the school counselor in San Elizario, Texas on July 23, 2024.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/18/texas-border-schools-donald-trump-mass-deportations/Schools near the border say it’s hard to prepare for the unknown. Immigration advocates say they should help communities understand students’ rights.By Jaden EdisonSat, 18 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/18/texas-border-schools-donald-trump-mass-deportations/Many Texas school districts say they are waiting to learn the specifics of President-elect mass deportation plans before deciding how to react.A student draws in an art classroom in Texas.Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/17/texas-dei-k12-schools-greg-abbott/In 2023, Texas passed a DEI ban at the state’s public universities. Now Abbott wants the state to stop funding diversity programs in K-12 schools.By Jaden EdisonFri, 17 Jan 2025 13:29:03 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/17/texas-dei-k12-schools-greg-abbott/Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday he wants the state's ban on DEI programs at the state's public universities to extend to K-12 schools.High school students between classes in the hallway at the high school in Buffalo on March 28, 2019.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/texas-legislature-school-choice-vouchers-education-savings-accounts/Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability.By Jasper Scherer and Jaden EdisonTue, 17 Dec 2024 13:48:58 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/texas-legislature-school-choice-vouchers-education-savings-accounts/Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the Texas House during the Opening Day of the 88th Texas Legislature at the Texas Capitol. School vouchers will have strong support in the Texas Legislature next year but some opponents hope proponents will fail to agree on the details of the proposed program.Opening Day action of the 88th Texas Legislature at the Texas Capitol showing Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressing the House chamber.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/09/texas-daca-recipients-affordable-care-act/The temporary injunction issued Monday would affect roughly 90,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients in Texas.By Jaden EdisonMon, 09 Dec 2024 22:29:20 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/09/texas-daca-recipients-affordable-care-act/Supporters of the the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy rally after a hearing on the program outside the federal courthouse in Houston on June 1, 2023.Supporters of the the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy rally after a hearing on the DACA program outside the federal courthouse in Houston on June 1, 2023.Adrees Latif/REUTERShttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-board-education-public-school-library-books-legislature/A majority of the panel voted to call on the Texas Legislature to pass a state law giving members the authority to determine age-appropriate books for students.By Jaden EdisonThu, 21 Nov 2024 18:13:29 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-board-education-public-school-library-books-legislature/Local school districts in Texas currently determine what books are appropriate for school-age children.Books line shelves at the Walsh Middle School library in Round Rock on July 11, 2022.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/20/texas-curriculum-greg-abbott-tiffany-clark-leslie-recine/Tiffany Clark, who was elected to fill a vacant State Board of Education seat in January, said she would have voted against the curriculum.By Jaden EdisonWed, 20 Nov 2024 16:46:40 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/20/texas-curriculum-greg-abbott-tiffany-clark-leslie-recine/Tiffany Clark, who was elected to represent the State Board of Education's District 13, said she was disappointed that Gov. Greg Abbott appointed someone else to fill the seat through the end of the year, which was vacated when former SBOE member Aicha Davis ran for the Texas House earlier this year. Clark said she would have voted against a state-proposed curriculum currently under consideration. Abbott's appointee, Leslie Recine, has signaled she would vote for the curriculum, which critics say overemphasizes Christianity.SBOE District 13 elect Tiffany ClarkSocial Mediahttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/19/texas-sboe-bible-christianity-curriculum/Critics say the curriculum overemphasizes Christianity. Texas school districts don’t have to use it but will receive $60 per student if they do.By Jaden EdisonTue, 19 Nov 2024 13:24:27 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/19/texas-sboe-bible-christianity-curriculum/Leslie Recine, who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to temporarily fill a vacant State Board of Education seat, sits at a Friday meeting in Austin during which the board approved a new state curriculum that critics say overemphasizes Christianity. Recine was the deciding vote in approving the curriculum. Abbott appointed Recine to fill the seat through the end of the year, bypassing Democrat Tiffany Clark, who was elected earlier this month to serve in that role starting next year.Leslie Recine at a State Board of Education meeting in Austin on Nov. 22, 2024.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/18/texas-curriculum-history-social-studies-slavery-racism/Education officials say the materials were designed to be age appropriate but critics argue they repeatedly omit key context and oversimplify history.By Jaden EdisonMon, 18 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/18/texas-curriculum-history-social-studies-slavery-racism/Texas parents and historians say a new state curriculum's lessons on the country's history of slavery, racism and civil rights omit key context. The teaching materials are currently under review.A U.S. History classroom at Akins High School in Austin, on October 2018.Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/06/texas-house-greg-abbott-school-vouchers-funding/Last year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day.By Jaden Edison, Graphics by Carla AstudilloWed, 06 Nov 2024 18:31:48 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/06/texas-house-greg-abbott-school-vouchers-funding/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the Kingdom Life Academy private school on Nov. 6, 2024, in Tyler.Governor Greg Abbott speaks about school choice during a visit to the Kingdom Life Academy private school on Wednesday November 6, 2024, in Tyler. Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-board-of-education-2024-race-results/Republicans Tom Maynard, Pam Little, Aaron Kinsey and Brandon Hall prevailed in contested races. Democrat Gustavo Reveles won in the District 1 race.By Jaden EdisonWed, 06 Nov 2024 07:52:58 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-board-of-education-2024-race-results/Texas State Board of Education chambers.State Board of Education chambers during the SBOE hearing on the controversial Mexican-American studies textbooks in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 13. Scholars who have reviewed Mexican American Heritage have pointed out that the textbook is riddled with factual errors, promotes offensive ethnic stereotypes and disparages Mexican Americans and their contributions to this country. Martin do Nascimento for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/28/texas-shars-medicaid-special-education/School officials say the state decision to cut federal money likely will hurt their ability to recruit and retain critical staff for students with disabilities.By Jaden EdisonMon, 28 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/28/texas-shars-medicaid-special-education/Dana Altamirano reads “The Wild Robot” to fourth graders at West Avenue Elementary School in Waco on April 5.Dana Altamirano reads “The Wild Robot” to fourth graders at West Avenue Elementary School in Waco, on April 5, 2024.Greta Díaz González Vázquez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/18/texas-state-board-of-education-races-2024/Revising the social studies curriculum could be among the divisive issues the Texas State Board of Education tackles next year.By Jaden EdisonFri, 18 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/18/texas-state-board-of-education-races-2024/This year's Texas State Board of Education elections will see five competitive races.State Board of Education chambers during the SBOE hearing on the controversial Mexican-American studies textbooks in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 13. Scholars who have reviewed Mexican American Heritage have pointed out that the textbook is riddled with factual errors, promotes offensive ethnic stereotypes and disparages Mexican Americans and their contributions to this country. Martin do Nascimento for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/15/houston-isd-mike-miles-cleared-wrongdoing-tea/The Texas Education Agency found that checks mailed to Miles’ charter school network in Colorado were eventually deposited into the network’s Texas account.By Jaden EdisonTue, 15 Oct 2024 21:11:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/15/houston-isd-mike-miles-cleared-wrongdoing-tea/Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of the Houston school district, discusses public education at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023.Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston ISD, discusses public education in Texas' largest city with Jacob Carpenter, team leader of the Houston Landing, at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/02/texas-house-district-18-school-vouchers-march-primary-election/Gov. Greg Abbott said the primary showed Texans want vouchers. In House District 18, an ad blitz and immigration fears may have played a larger role.By Jaden EdisonWed, 02 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/02/texas-house-district-18-school-vouchers-march-primary-election/A mascot poses with students during the "Meet the Wildcats" community event at Splendora High School on Aug. 16, 2024, in Splendora.A mascot poses with students during the "Meet the Wildcats" community event at Splendora High School on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in Splendora.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune