Opponents told the board that allowing more charter operators will drain money from traditional public schools, but some parents believe charters offer their children better educations.  The Texas State Board of Education Friday vetoed three out of eight new charter school operators seeking to open schools across the state. They voted to take no action on the other five, effectively approving them.  Heritage Classical Academy, CLEAR Public Charter School and Rocketship Public Schools will not be able to open schools in Texas, after traditional public school leaders and advocates argued the state could not afford to fund new charters during a destabilizing pandemic. The board's actions are just the latest in a longstanding political debate in Texas over the growth of charter schools, funded by the state but managed privately by nonprofits.    (14) view article

After marathon meetings over three days, the Republican-dominated board also rejected efforts to teach students about consent. It is expected to take a final vote in November.  The Texas State Board of Education gave preliminary approval this week to a sex education policy that includes teaching middle schoolers about birth control beyond abstinence — its first attempt to revise that policy since 1997.  In jam-packed meetings held Wednesday through Friday, the 15-member Republican-dominated board came one step closer to revising minimum standards for what Texas students learn about health and sex. It is expected to take a final vote in November.    (14) view article

The Thompson and Horton firm provided an updated timeline on the CISD superintendent search to the board of trustees during a special meeting on Thursday, September 3. Dr. David Thompson opened remarks by stating the position has already been posted to the Texas Association of School Administrators’ website, and they’ve already received inquiries from educators inside and outside of the state. Dr. Thompson says he and his partner Dr. Mike Moses also reached out to over 100 people requesting them to nominate considerations for the position.     (09) view article

AUSTIN — Nearly 400 Texans signed up to virtually testify before the State Board of Education, with most urging the board to include sexual orientation, gender identity and non-heteronormative standards in comprehensive sex education in a lengthy hearing Tuesday.  Others pressed the board to include teaching climate change in core science courses in the state during the meeting.  This all comes after a proposed revision to Texas' health education standards, which could potentially add the teaching of birth control options, along with the abstinence-only option, to middle schoolers. Most notably, however, the proposed revision did not address gender identity and sexuality. view article

Though teaching career and technical education courses online or in a hybrid setting is challenging, adapting to this new reality may have long-term benefits for CTE students, according to EdTech: Focus on K-12. Transitioning hands-on lessons online will make CTE more flexible and accessible for students, allowing them to access lessons anytime and anywhere with a WiFi connection. It also teaches students 21st century digital skills needed for a mobile workforce, and is a cost-effective option for cash-strapped districts. view article

No one on the Texas State Board of Education wanted conspiracy theorist Robert Morrow to join their ranks — and Tuesday's runoff election gave them their wish.  Election night returns Tuesday showed opponent Lani Popp, a Northside Independent School District speech pathologist, defeating Morrow, a self-described performance artist with a history of racist and sexist comments, with more than three-fourths of the vote in the Republican primary runoff for the board's District 5 seat.   (15) view article

At a marathon virtual hearing Monday, dozens of Texans implored the State Board of Education to dramatically update the minimum statewide standards for what Texas public school students are taught about sex and health, policies which have not been revised since 1997.  The 15-member board is considering requiring that middle schoolers learn about contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections and the importance of consent. At the board's first public hearing on the proposals, many current and former Texas public school students recalled their own experiences with sexual education teachers who emphasized shame instead of accuracy. view article

Texas may change how your child understands biology when taught in a public high school classroom. The Texas' Board of Education tentatively approved changes to portions of the states Biology curriculum. Instead of asking Texas public school students to “evaluate” scientific explanations for the origins of DNA and the complexity of certain cells, the state will now ask that the students "examine" the scientific explanations for the origins of DNA and complexity of certain cells. In the past, some educators have argued that the word "evaluate" encouraged students to challenge the scientific theory of evolution and opened the door to teaching creationism. view article

The Georgetown Board of Trustees has hired Fred Brent as the district's newest superintendent. view article