Latest local news, weather and high school sports from Amarillo

Thursday, May 16, 2013  The House is set to debate a plan to dramatically expand the number of charter schools allowed to operate in Texas - a sweeping proposal that's cleared the Senate but could face a tougher road in the lower chamber.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  Texas' top education official is set to address the State Board of Education meeting.

Thursday, March 28, 2013  The Senate Education Committee is considering a bill that would make it easier for parents to urge school boards to close failing schools - or convert them into charters.

Thursday, March 21, 2013  The Senate Education Committee is set to discuss a string bills including a controversial proposal to lift the cap on the number of licenses issued to operate charter schools statewide.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013  Education committees in both the Texas House and Senate are discussing a raft of bills, including the possibility of offering expanded "school choice" to students with disabilities.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  Texas lawmakers are working on a proposal to tie higher education funding to completion rates at state universities.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013  The Senate Education committee has referred to the full chamber a bill overhauling high school graduation requirements to better emphasize workforce development.

Monday, February 04, 2013  A district court judge has ruled that the tax system Texas uses to finance public schools is unconstitutional.

Friday, February 01, 2013  Gov. Rick Perry is set to address the State Board of Education, which features eight new members after November's election.

Thursday, January 17, 2013  The public opinion battle over expanded school vouchers intensifies as a group opposed to public funding for private and religious schools states its case.

Monday, December 03, 2012  More than half of Texas ninth graders who last spring failed one or more of the state's new standardized tests skipped their change to retest.

Monday, October 29, 2012  School Finance expert Lynn Moak says academic standards that continue to get tougher have more significantly reshaped Texas schools than reductions in funding.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012  Texas has added 23 school districts for the first time to its list of those considered property-wealthy. It now has a record 374 districts that are required to give some of what they raise in local tax revenue to the state for distribution to poorer schools.

Monday, August 27, 2012  Tea party activist and former Railroad Commission Chairman Michael Williams has been named Texas' top education official.

Friday, April 20, 2012  The State Board of Education has unanimously approved new K-12 math curriculum standards.