Tag Archives: Arne Duncan

Texas asks for federal funding for pre-k vouchers

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Not sure how I feel about this. Teacher groups are up in arms as Texas seeks millions from the federal government to fund a new pre-K voucher program that would begin next fall. Last month, the Texas Education Agency applied … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Texas asks for federal funding for pre-k vouchers

Don’t count on that federal testing waiver

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It could happen, but don’t expect your high-scoring kid to spend less time taking tests going forward. A plan to reduce testing for higher-performing elementary and middle school students was one of the feel-good bills of the 2013 legislative session. … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Don’t count on that federal testing waiver

HISD approves tougher teacher evaluation plan

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I have some concerns about this. Teachers in the Houston Independent School District next year will face tougher job evaluations that grade them on their students’ test scores under a nationally watched plan that trustees approved Thursday. The 7-2 vote … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Federal education funds officially on their way

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

That’s $830 million that the Senate was counting on for education funds that it will now officially have. Just two weeks after a bipartisan federal budget deal ended an eight-month impasse over $830 million in federal education funding, the U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Federal education funds officially on their way

House repeals Doggett Amendment

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This may be a partial answer to my earlier question about the status of the $830 million in federal education funds that await Texas if Governor Perry will attest that they will be actually spent on education. In the latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

State sues over education stimulus funds

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So much for a peaceful resolution. Texas went to federal court [Thursday] to pry loose $830 million in federal aid intended to help avert teacher layoffs. The funds — Texas’ share of a $10 billion jobs package Congress approved last … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Is there a problem with the stimulus funds?

Posted on June 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I hope not. The debate over whether Texas lawmakers can use federal stimulus money to boost education spending, including funding a raise for teachers, is heating up. The Obama administration warned states Thursday it may withhold millions of dollars if … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brown and Locke spar over education

Posted on May 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

At a Mayoral forum on Thursday, Gene Locke and Peter Brown get into it over the school system. Gene Locke, the former city attorney, targeted Councilman Peter Brown’s recent statement to the Chronicle that Houstonians should consider forming an urban … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment