https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jaden-edison/The latest news by Jaden Edison.enThu, 22 May 2025 23:40:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/22/texas-legislature-public-school-funding-package/The legislation includes new pots of money for teacher raises and other school costs like insurance and transportation. It now heads to the House, where leaders say it will pass.By Jaden EdisonThu, 22 May 2025 23:40:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/22/texas-legislature-public-school-funding-package/After out loud reading time, Dana Altamirano discusses the book her fourth grade students just read as a group at West Avenue Elementary in Waco on April 5, 2024.After out loud reading time, Dana Altamirano discusses the book they just read as a group with her fourth grade students at West Avenue Elementary in Waco on April 5, 2024.Greta Díaz González Vázquez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-house-senate-public-school-finance-deal/The deal appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools, with money earmarked for teacher pay and overhead costs.By Jasper Scherer, Renzo Downey and Jaden EdisonWed, 21 May 2025 15:13:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-house-senate-public-school-finance-deal/Texas House and Senate lawmakers on Wednesday were nearing a deal on an $8.5 billion package to provide new funding for the state's public schools.Bonham Elementary School in San Antonio on May 9, 2018.Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-bc-ad-christianity/The legislation would prevent schools from using materials that do not use the terms “Before Christ” and “Anno Domini.” Many historians have moved away from them to be more inclusive.By Jaden EdisonMon, 19 May 2025 19:01:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-bc-ad-christianity/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-senate-house-bill-2-school-funding/The proposal would heavily invest in teacher pay and special education. It includes a modest $55 increase to schools' base per-student funding, significantly lower than what the House had sought.By Jaden EdisonThu, 15 May 2025 17:41:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-senate-house-bill-2-school-funding/The Texas Senate unveiled Thursday its counterproposal to the House's public education funding bill. The $8 billion package would create a long-term teacher pay raise system, among other things.Third grade teacher Eran McGowan helps students work through math problems at the Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy in Dallas, Texas on Feb. 5, 2024.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-public-school-funding-legislature/Senators will hold a hearing Thursday on their counterproposal to the House's school funding bill. House Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the upper chamber for not moving faster to advance the legislation.By Jaden Edison and Jasper SchererWed, 14 May 2025 13:44:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-public-school-funding-legislature/Time is running out for Texas lawmakers to reach an agreement on a public education funding package. Senators will discuss their version of a proposal approved by the House during a panel Thursday.Nimitz Middle School students line up to enter their next class on Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/06/texas-teacher-incentive-allotment-pay-raises/The Teacher Incentive Allotment gives raises to teachers based on performance. But it leaves out many educators and school staff who contribute to students' success.By Jaden EdisonTue, 06 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/06/texas-teacher-incentive-allotment-pay-raises/JoMeka Gray teaches a class of kindergarteners at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple on April 17, 2025.Temple, Texas - 4/17/25: JoMeka Gray teaches a class of kindergarteners at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple, Texas. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas TribuneIlana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/03/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott-signs/Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.By Jaden EdisonSat, 03 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/03/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott-signs/Gov. Greg Abbott signs legislation authorizing a private school voucher program into law at the Texas Governor’s Mansion in Austin on May 3, 2025.Governor Greg Abbott signs SB2 authorizing educational savings accounts (ESA's) helping parents pay private school tuition for their children during a ceremony at the Texas Governor's Mansion on May 3, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-legislature-passes-vouchers-abbott/The program will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.By Jaden EdisonThu, 24 Apr 2025 16:27:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-legislature-passes-vouchers-abbott/State Rep. Dustin Burrows, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the Capitol in Austin on April 23, 2025.From left: State Rep. Dustin Burrows, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the Capitol in Austin on April 23, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/18/dan-patrick-school-vouchers-house-senate/The lieutenant governor proposes that the Texas Senate adopt the House bill, which would eliminate a negotiation over the two versions and cement the victory for supporters.By Jaden Edison and Kayla GuoFri, 18 Apr 2025 12:45:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/18/dan-patrick-school-vouchers-house-senate/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he wants the Texas Senate to approve the House version of the school voucher bill, a step that would speed the legislation to the governor for his signature.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a press conference regarding school vouchers on March 25, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/texas-house-school-vouchers-public-education-funding/The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.By Jaden Edison and Jasper SchererThu, 17 Apr 2025 02:13:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/texas-house-school-vouchers-public-education-funding/State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, answers questions regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025. Lawmakers gave final approval to the school voucher legislation Thursday.State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, answers questions regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-school-vouchers-funding-house-bill-2-house/The lower chamber overwhelmingly voted in favor of House Bill 2, a sweeping $8 billion piece of legislation that would also limit schools’ reliance on teachers without formal classroom training.By Jaden EdisonWed, 16 Apr 2025 16:36:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-school-vouchers-funding-house-bill-2-house/State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, shakes hands with Rep. Brad Buckley R-Salado, House Education chair, after the vote on school finance on April 16, 2025. The bill passed, 144-4.State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, shakes hands with Rep. Brad Buckley R-Salado, House Education chair, after the vote on school finance on April 16, 2025. The bill passed, 144-4.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-vouchers-public-school-funding-vote/The Texas House also approved more money for schools in a bipartisan vote.By Jaden Edison and Jasper SchererTue, 15 Apr 2025 17:39:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-vouchers-public-school-funding-vote/State Rep. Brad Buckley answers questions from Democrats regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.State Rep. Brad Buckley answers questions from Democrats regarding an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/31/texas-school-voucher-funding/The House Public Education Committee voted to advance a pair of priority bills to create education savings accounts and to raise how much state money public school districts receive.By Jaden EdisonMon, 31 Mar 2025 19:28:34 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/31/texas-school-voucher-funding/The Texas House of Representatives Public Education Committee holds a hearing in Austin on March 18, 2025.The Texas House of Representatives Public Education Committee holds a hearing in Austin on March 18, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/28/texas-school-funding-explainer/A Tribune analysis also found the state’s share of the funds that schools receive per student significantly decreased in the last decade until recently.By Jaden Edison and Rob Reid, Graphics by Yuriko SchumacherFri, 28 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/28/texas-school-funding-explainer/Texas Republicans pushing for vouchers often note that the state’s public schools receive more than $15,000 per student. But that doesn’t account for inflation or reflect the money districts can actually use.Yuriko Schumacher/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/20/texas-house-senate-school-choice-vouchers/The gaps over eligibility and on spending levels are narrower than the fundamental differences of the previous session.By Jasper Scherer and Jaden EdisonThu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/20/texas-house-senate-school-choice-vouchers/Even with support for school vouchers in both houses, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows will have to bridge differences if this Gov. Greg Abbott priority measure is to become law.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows applaud as Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock gives the biennial State of the Judiciary speech in the Texas House chamber on Feb. 26, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/11/texas-house-school-voucher-bill/The hearing on House Bill 3 started Tuesday and ended Wednesday morning. Hundreds of Texans waited overnight to testify.By Jaden EdisonTue, 11 Mar 2025 22:20:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/11/texas-house-school-voucher-bill/During a hearing Tuesday, lawmakers sparred over whether wealthier Texans should be allowed to participate in the Texas House's proposed school voucher program.Third graders jump rope on the playground in San Antonio on May 9, 2018.Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/04/texas-superintendents-democrats-school-funding/Lawmakers this week listened to testimony on House Bill 2, which would raise schools’ base funding per student by $220 — a figure that falls short of what many Texans say is needed.By Jaden EdisonTue, 04 Mar 2025 19:15:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/04/texas-superintendents-democrats-school-funding/Texas Democrats criticized school district leaders for not being more assertive about their state funding needs during a House Public Education Committee hearing Tuesday.Odessa High School students walk between classes Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/04/texas-school-vouchers-low-income-students/Neither of the Legislature’s voucher bills require private schools to accept certain students, which some warn could block the neediest children from access.By Jaden Edison, Graphics by Rob ReidTue, 04 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/04/texas-school-vouchers-low-income-students/Education policy experts and public education advocates worry that creating a school voucher program with broad eligibility, as proposed by the Texas House and Senate's priority bills, will fall short of their promises to prioritize low-income students.Children draw self-portraits at the Rowlett Public Library in Rowlett, TX on October 26, 2023. The self portrait is part of a “hero’s journey” activity run by the mothers where the daughters think about who they are, what makes them special, and what they want to become.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/24/texas-dei-public-schools-k12/The bill would ban diversity, equity and inclusion policies related to hiring and programming, while creating ways for parents to complain about violations to the DEI ban.By Jaden Edison and Pavan AcharyaMon, 24 Feb 2025 10:58:38 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/24/texas-dei-public-schools-k12/Passing period at United South High School in Laredo on Oct. 23, 2018.Passing period at United South High School in Laredo on Oct. 23, 2018.Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/texas-house-school-vouchers/The proposal sets a few possible points of contention between the House and Senate, including how much money should families get through the program.By Jaden Edison, James Barragán and Jasper SchererThu, 20 Feb 2025 09:08:56 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/texas-house-school-vouchers/The Texas House filed its priority bill on private school vouchers on Thursday.Corina Pannabecker teaches first grade at Ogden Elementary in San Antonio on April 30, 2018.Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune