The real question isn't how much technology belongs in the classroom. It's whether what's on the screen is making the classroom better or replacing it.
Critics of a takeover say it could open the way for policy changes not necessarily aligned with the wishes of voters—but proponents argue that it could free the district to pursue reforms free of the pressures of local politics.
Our district's most recent bond campaign was, on paper, the hardest one to pass. There was no new school to unveil or gleaming gymnasium to tour on opening night.
Texas law has mandatory consequences when any campus achieves five failing grades in a row—the state must either close the offending campus or take over the entire school district.
The measure would have directed more than $617 million in funding to the state's schools, with about half going toward special education reimbursement and the other half toward offsetting property taxes by increasing general school aids.
