Tag Archives: schoolfinance

Charter school bill, SB2, moves from Education Committee to Texas Senate

I’ve been following the progress of SB2, a bill that would make big changes to charter school laws in Texas, including raising the charter cap. This post is about the bill’s introduction in February; this post is about Senator Dan Patrick‘s visit to IDEA Carver last Friday … Continue reading

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Dan Patrick visits IDEA Carver to discuss SB2, the charter school bill

As mentioned earlier, there’s a bill pending in the Texas senate—SB2—that would have a big impact on charter schools in Texas. Key changes: raising the cap on the number of charters in Texas and creating an independent charter authorizer to … Continue reading

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NYT on SB2: Sen. Dan Patrick’s education reform bill

Senate Bill 2, the centerpiece of Mr. Patrick’s plans for the session, is the most ambitious attempt to expand the state’s charter school system since it was established in 1995. . . . Mr. Patrick’s proposal would eliminate a law … Continue reading

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Dan Patrick’s SB2 is a big deal for future Charter Moms and Dads

Good news for future Charter Moms and Charter Dads: there’s a bill in the Texas Senate right now, SB2, that would lift the arbitrary cap on the number of charters in Texas, would provide some funding for charter school facilities, … Continue reading

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School finance: add money? or reform the system?

A recent article in Plaza de Armas, commenting on the district court’s decision in the school finance trial (earlier post), notes that two San Antonio-area representatives on the Public Education committee, Rep. Mike Villarreal (D) and Rep. Justin Rodriguez (D), … Continue reading

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School finance litigation: district judge denies charter school claims

As mentioned earlier, last year the Texas Charter Schools Association joined the school finance litigation, challenging the lack of facilities funding for charter schools, and asking the court to lift the cap on the number of charter schools. The trial ended … Continue reading

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Charter schools at school finance trial: Why no state money for facilities? Charter cap?

The chief executive officer of a growing charter school with campuses in Austin testified Tuesday that a lack of state funding for buildings is forcing him to make stark decisions as his enrollment swells. Matt Abbott, CEO of Wayside Schools, … Continue reading

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Preview of public education: Rep. Mike Villarreal and Sen. Donna Campbell at Texas Tribune Hot Seat

On December 7, I sat in on Texas Tribune‘s Hot Seat event at Trinity University, featuring state Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) and state Sen. Dr. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels). The first half of the video is a conversation about … Continue reading

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School finance trial under way this week, including San Antonio charter school families

This week, the latest round of school finance litigation goes to trial in Austin. One thing that’s different about this trial, compared to the other trials over the past few decades, is that charter schools are represented. In addition to … Continue reading

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Differences on education in Texas House District 117 race on San Antonio’s West Side

Gilbert Garcia reported from the Texas House District 117 campaign forums about differences on public education issues between incumbent John D. Garza (a Republican) and challenger Philip Cortez (a Democrat). “Class Dismissed at Garza-Cortez Forums”, Gilbert Garcia, Plaza de Armas, September 29, … Continue reading

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