There is very little doubt that Texas has led the nation in public education reform over the past decade or so and that Texas has served as a model for other states and the nation in the advancement of standards and accountability. There is mounting evidence that the easier phases of reform are behind us in Texas, that some of the more intractable problems with student achievement have not been reached by reforms while serious backsliding is underway in others. It is evident that more of the same accountability and standards will not produce the results we want, and that a much more difficult phase of reform lies ahead.
Dallas-Area Schools Aren’t Broke, They’re Just Misspending Their Money
Fort Worth Independent School District says it will cut staff members because of its budget crunch. Dallas ISD is ending some high school programs. Plano ISD is conducting a study which “may lead to restructuring or consolidating schools to better serve students,” the district says. “No one cause is to blame, although the state legislature not providing addition...