Changes

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has limited oversight of school districts; however, it has the authority to close a district if it repeatedly fails to properly educate students (a notable example was in 2005 when the Wilmer-Hutchins district -- a district with even worse performance than any of the big city districts -- was finally closed after allegations of teachers helping students cheat on state exams).  TEA is organized into 20 regions, which exist solely to provide assistance to districts; the regions have no authority over districts.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has limited oversight of school districts; however, it has the authority to close a district if it repeatedly fails to properly educate students (a notable example was in 2005 when the Wilmer-Hutchins district -- a district with even worse performance than any of the big city districts -- was finally closed after allegations of teachers helping students cheat on state exams).  TEA is organized into 20 regions, which exist solely to provide assistance to districts; the regions have no authority over districts.

In addition to public schools, Texas has many charter and private schools.  TEA has no jurisdiction over them, nor over homeschooling (Texas, previously a difficult state for homeschooling, has become one of the most friendly states, due in large part to [[Leeper v. Arlington]], a case which clarified the lack of governmental jurisdiction over the practice).

In addition to public schools, Texas has many charter and private schools.  TEA has no jurisdiction over them, nor over homeschooling (Texas, previously a difficult state for homeschooling, has become one of the most friendly states, due in large part to [[Leeper v. Arlington ISD]], a case which clarified the lack of governmental jurisdiction over the practice).

Unlike many states where public and private schools are governed by one agency for athletic and similar contests, there are several agencies covering these contests.  The primary agency is the University Interscholastic League (UIL, as its name suggests it is operated by the [[University of Texas]]), which governs all public schools as well as some charter and two all-male private schools (Dallas Jesuit and Houston Strake Jesuit, which due to their size would overwhelm the other private schools).  The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) governs most of the larger private schools (especially those associated with Christian churches or groups), while the Southwest Preparatory Conference -- which also has one member in neighboring [[Oklahoma]] -- governs many non-sectarian private schools.  There are also several smaller groups which govern much smaller private schools.

Unlike many states where public and private schools are governed by one agency for athletic and similar contests, there are several agencies covering these contests.  The primary agency is the University Interscholastic League (UIL, as its name suggests it is operated by the [[University of Texas]]), which governs all public schools as well as some charter and two all-male private schools (Dallas Jesuit and Houston Strake Jesuit, which due to their size would overwhelm the other private schools).  The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) governs most of the larger private schools (especially those associated with Christian churches or groups), while the Southwest Preparatory Conference -- which also has one member in neighboring [[Oklahoma]] -- governs many non-sectarian private schools.  There are also several smaller groups which govern much smaller private schools.

[[Category:Education]]

[[Category:Education]]