https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jaden-edison/The latest news by Jaden Edison.enWed, 04 Jun 2025 12:59:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/04/texas-public-education-schools-funding-bill-explained/The spending package will give schools more money for staff pay raises, operational expenses, special education and more.By Jaden EdisonWed, 04 Jun 2025 12:59:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/04/texas-public-education-schools-funding-bill-explained/Gov. Greg Abbott signed an $8.5 billion public education spending package into law on Wednesday. It includes money for staff pay, teacher prep, special education, early childhood learning and more.A kindergartener's classroom at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple, Texas.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/03/texas-legislature-recap-public-education/An agenda driven by conservative priorities, schools’ financial duress and teacher needs led to an $8.5 billion boost, new discipline rules, more Christianity in classrooms and a DEI ban.By Jaden Edison, Sneha Dey and Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 03 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/03/texas-legislature-recap-public-education/During this year's legislative session, Texas lawmakers approved proposals that will create a private school voucher program, inject $8.5 billion into public education, give schools more flexibility to discipline students, expand religion's presence in the classroom, ban DEI initiatives and prohibit students from using their cellphones during the school day.JoMeka Gray teaches a class of kindergarteners at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple on April 17, 2025.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-houston-isd-takeover/Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath applauded the district for its improvements while citing the need for more time to “achieve lasting success for students.”By Jaden EdisonMon, 02 Jun 2025 10:15:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-houston-isd-takeover/Texas Education Agency Mike Morath speaks at a State Board of Education meeting on June 26, 2024. The TEA has announced that it will extend its takeover of the Houston school district through 2027.TEA Commissioner Mike Morath addresses the State Board of Education at the start of their meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the William B. Travis Building in Austin. Morath recommended the SBOE approve five new charter school systems in the state.Olivia Anderson/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/29/texas-legislature-public-school-funding-hb-2/Gov. Greg Abbott has already said he intends to sign the bill, which will give schools funding for salary increases, special education, teacher preparation and operational costs.By Jaden EdisonThu, 29 May 2025 16:21:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/29/texas-legislature-public-school-funding-hb-2/The Texas House on Thursday gave final approval to an $8.5 billion boost to the state's public education system. The proposal now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has said he intends to sign it.Pre-K students learn their numbers at JoAnn Zavala's classroom on Sept. 5, 2019 in Hemphill Elementary.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://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 Tribune