Category: DMN | Education

We here at The Dallas Morning News do not, traditionally, consider it our role to dictate the details of your sex life. But if you want your next spawn to rise to the top of his or her class, here’s a bit of advice: Listen to the mistletoe and snuggle up to your loved one…

When Superintendent Larry Lewis faces opposition to his financial management of Lancaster ISD, his response is to point to the academic progress in his district. “I can give you data to show that where we were in ’03 and where we are today – that we’ve had tremendous academic improvement,” Dr. Lewis said Friday. “When…

AUSTIN – The dispute over Lancaster ISD’s proposed four-day school week reached Austin on Thursday as supporters and critics aired their views to the state education commissioner. Meanwhile, the Texas Education Agency is considering whether to send a team of auditors to the school district to check on worrisome financial data. “It does appear that…

Does Forest Brook High School have a TAKS cheating problem? It depends whom you believe. But new evidence points to yes. Despite highly suspicious test scores, a February report by the Texas Education Agency declared the Houston school cheating-free – largely because school officials, when asked, said they were unaware of any wrongdoing on their…

Lancaster school officials told parents and school board members this week that a proposal to switch to a four-day school week was based on solid research showing academic benefits. But the studies they produced show inconclusive and, at times, negative results. Superintendent Larry Lewis said he and his staff had used Google to thoroughly research…

Facing a budget crunch, Lancaster schools are considering a move that has traditionally been reserved for districts in fiscal crisis: cutting down to a four-day school week. The sudden move, which requires state approval, would set students and teachers free on Fridays in exchange for longer school days the rest of the week. District officials…

An Amarillo teacher leaked a portion of this spring’s TAKS writing test to his colleagues because he wanted his school’s students to have a better chance at passing, a state investigation has found. The teacher said that he leaked the information because he believed that educators in other districts were doing the same and that…

Amid all the confusion surrounding an internal investigation at the Texas Education Agency, the state auditor’s office has decided to take its own look at how the agency hands out lucrative contracts. “Perhaps they can talk to all the parties involved and resolve all this,” said TEA spokeswoman Debbie Graves Ratcliffe. “Good luck.” State auditor…

I know this column will be misunderstood, so let me be clear from the start: Dallas’ School for the Talented and Gifted is a terrific school. TAG, as it’s known, is the school system’s bright shining star. If I had kids, I’d be happy to send them there. Great teachers, great students – the whole…

The Texas Education Agency has taken on a remarkable resemblance to a soap opera over the last week – with claims of mistaken identity, whispers about vendettas and a traditionally tight clan pulled apart. Last week, internal investigators said they had found evidence that one of the agency’s top bosses, Robert Scott, was improperly funneling…