The Dallas Morning News

Can schools in this big district reverse years of enrollment drops?

Dallas schools started classes with more students than expected this year, which leaders say is the first time in nearly a decade that enrollment has trended up.

1 in 5 Texas students considered chronically absent, new analysis reveals

Every three weeks, Irving ISD send parents a progress report. But it’s no longer just an alert about grades. Also included is how many days their children missed classes.

Texas kids lose up to 4 months of learning with new uncertified teachers, study finds

However, the data showed that if an uncertified teacher had previous classroom experience–such as working as a substitute–students performed on par with those taught by certified educators.

Texas to give extra credit to teachers who train like doctors in residency programs

State education officials signed off on creating an Enhanced Standard Certificate for teacher candidates who complete a residency route, spending a year learning from an experienced educator inside the classroom.

New vaping law lands hundreds of North Texas students in alternative school

The state mandate raises questions among education advocates—and even the legislator who pushed for the law addressing vaping. Some are worried that time spent in alternative school can derail students’ learning.

This North Texas school may close. What does that feel like for a third grader?

Decisions about school closures are steeped in nuances about stagnant state funding formulas, slowed birth-rate projections and low building utilization. But for kids like Coraline, those complicated numbers aren’t what matters.

Campus closures, staff cuts? North Texas schools brace for tough budgets

Richardson ISD officials presented Thursday a proposal to close a handful of elementary schools and reshape attendance boundaries. Fort Worth education leaders earlier this month announced the district would cut roughly 130 positions. Across the state, districts face budget shortfalls that will trigger hard choices.

How are computers scoring STAAR essays? Texas superintendents, lawmaker want answers

Educators and legislators are concerned about transparency and a spike in high schoolers scoring zero points on written answers.

3 North Texas school systems recognized for getting students on track to livable wages

College courses and programs that prepare students for high-paying jobs are making a difference in lifting students out of poverty, according to a Dallas nonprofit.

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg pours $250M to open health care high school in Dallas

The new schools will partner with healthcare systems as students work on training, certification and experience.

Texas leaders approve school library rules amid ongoing fight about inappropriate books

Texas school libraries must have policies to prohibit the possession or purchase of books determined to be “sexually explicit.”

Dallas ISD plans to cut unpopular high school programs, free up money for more counselors

Teachers could be moved into other positions as DISD revamps courses in efforts to put more students on career and college pathways, Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said.

Dallas’ new lessons aim to keep kids on track, but some worry about limiting teachers

Schools across Texas use a wide variety of learning materials, which triggered concerns about quality among lawmakers. They worried that many lessons don’t meet state standards, which means students could be leaving school inadequately prepared for college and the workforce.

Pay bump for retired Texas teachers supported by voters, early returns show

With voters’ approval, Proposition 9 would allow the state to use about $3.4 billion to fund a cost-of-living adjustment for retired educators.

School choice, teacher bonuses appear dead in Texas—for now

Another special session seems likely as House members depart for the weekend without the education savings account proposal Gov. Greg Abbott hoped for.