News
$63.9M grant ended for rail project The U.S. Department of Transportation announced in an April 14 news release that it was canceling a $63.9 million federal grant awarded to Amtrak for a proposed high- speed rail line from Dallas and Houston. Officials cited the ballooning projected cost—now estimated at more than $40 billion—as a key reason for ending the grant, per the release. Diving in deeper The roughly $60 million grant will be redirected to other rail projects deemed more cost-effective, per the release. However, investment group Kleinheinz Capital Partners said in a statement the com- pany has stepped in as the “private sector sponsor” of the “shovel-ready” project.
Campus rating breakdown Here's how campuses in each
4
4
11
14
8
Lamar CISD
district scored on the A-F rating. No campuses in the districts received Fs. A B C D
37
Katy ISD
18
16
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
KISD, LCISD earn ‘B’ ratings in TEA scores
Gregorski said he believes the TEA’s approach to standardized testing and accountability don’t reflect the full scope of school performance. LCISD Chief Learning Officer Christi Cottongame also said the ratings don’t reflect the current efforts of teachers or students. What’s next? The TEA remains blocked from issuing ratings for the 2023-24 school year due to a separate lawsuit, which is pending in the state appeals court. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said the TEA intends to release ratings for 2024-25 on Aug. 15, per state law.
Data shows Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISDs earned “B” ratings for the 2022-23 school year, per the Texas Education Agency’s A-F system released April 24. What they’re saying In an April 23 letter, KISD Superintendent Ken
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