When a violent crime is committed, it tends to feel not just unwarranted but random. When a murder, sex crime, or burglary happens, we often ask, “How did this happen?” Even worse is when a violent crime is committed by someone with a violent criminal past. We then demand to know, “How did this happen… again?” ...
On Tuesday, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 4, a constitutional amendment to increase the residence homestead exemption for school district purposes from $40,000 to $100,000. With 99% of precincts reporting, voters approved of the measure by a margin of 83.4% vs. 16.6%. The passage of Proposition 4 cements the Legislature’s $18 billion tax relief package,...
Texas lacks a coherent third-grade literacy standard and statewide implementation system. Restoring a mastery-based promotion gate and aligning coaching, screening, and funding can reverse stagnating reading outcomes. Key points: Texas removed its third-grade promotion requirement, weakening the connection between reading mastery and grade advancement. Mississippi’s gains resulted from aligning statutory standards with statewide coaching, screening,...