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Top Stories: Fixing Low-Performing Schools; Mental Health Services For Police Officers

Bob Daemmrich/The Texas Tribune
State Education Commissioner Mike Morath testifies Tuesday Aug 16, 2016 before the Senate Education Committee at the Texas Capitol.

The top local stories this morning from KERA News: Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morathwants to crack down harder on chronically low-performing schools.

Morath yesterday told the Senate Education Committee he wants to cut the number of schools on the state’s failing list in half over the next five years. To do that, he’ll focus on leaders at the district level.

School accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency this week showed a slight decrease in the number of failing individual schools in Texas. There also was a slight increase in the number of failing districts in the state.

Morath also said the agency will be able to better monitor shifts in academic performance under the new accountability system taking effect next year. Districts and campuses will be given A-through-F letter grades based on academic performance. 

Other stories this morning:

  • One of the most difficult challenges after the July 7 shootings is getting police officers the counseling and mental health services they need. Many need to be convinced to seek out help.
  • The State Fair of Texas this morning announced the eight finalists for this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards.

You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM. 

Former KERA staffer Krystina Martinez was an assistant producer. She produced local content for Morning Edition and KERANews.org. She also produced The Friday Conversation, a weekly series of conversations with North Texas newsmakers. Krystina was also the backup newscaster for the Texas Standard.