Rep. James Talarico on sine die at the 87th Texas Legislature (Photo by John Anderson)
After a contentious legislative session, public education ended up with a mixed bag of stable funding and conservative micromanagement. Bills awaiting Gov.
Greg Abbott's signature will severely curtail the ways teachers can discuss social issues, limit the reach of sexuality education, and enshrine the ability of affluent parent-teacher associations to pay for extra staff, reversing
Austin ISD's recent equity-driven ban on the practice. A bill that would have guaranteed that districts could offer virtual learning this fall didn't make it out of the Senate on the last day, collateral damage from the Democratic walkout.