Budget Projections
State Comptroller Glenn Hegar told the Legislative Budget Board (Nov. 30 [meeting materials here]) that lawmakers during the upcoming session will have more money to work with than was projected over the summer due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
Hegar, however, declined to be more specific (see also, Texas Tribune). Hegar is expected to provide more detailed budget projections just before the session starts on Jan. 12.
NAEP Canceled
The cancellation of the assessment comes amid growing calls (see TEN, Nov. 30) for Texas to either cancel the STAAR outright for this school year, or use the tests for student diagnostic purposes only. (see also, Education Week).
Initiative Report
The Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative, a joint endeavor of the commissioners of the TEA, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission — recently delivered its latest report (scroll down to “Tri Agency Pathyways” here) to the governor and is seeking comments.
The report, titled “Linking Education and Workforce: Spurring Economic Growth Across Texas” focuses on three priorities. Additional updates will be posted from time to time (see press release).
Tuition Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed in a state court by the Young Conservatives of Texas Foundation in Denton County against the University of North Texas seeks to overturn a state law that the foundation says violates federal law by requiring out-of-state students to pay higher tuition rates than undocumented aliens who meet certain conditions for in-state tuition. (See also Denton Record Chronicle).
The lawsuit seeks a ruling that would apply to all Texas public higher-ed institutions.
Indicted
A federal grand jury indicted (Nov. 23) Jonathan Dean Davis, the owner of the now-closed, for-profit air conditioning trade school Retail Ready Career Center in Garland on charges of defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and student affairs.
Davis’ attorney told D/FW media (Dallas Morning News) that the indictment amounted to allegations of civil regulations, not crimes — and that three years of investigation by the feds yielded no evidence of wrong doing.
Texas Able Debit Cards
Texas ABLE is open to eligible Texans who experience the onset of a disability before the age of 26 and meet specified disability criteria.
Immunization Reports Due
State health authorities are reminding school staff that they have until Dec. 11 to enter, via the Child Health Reporting System online portal, their students’ immunization data.
Staff must indicate if students are up to date, delinquent, exempt, or provisionally enrolled regardless of whether the student is educated via virtual learning or on campus.