Decatur Independent School District is a public school district based in Decatur , Texas ( USA ), northwest of Fort Worth. In addition to Decatur, the district also serves portions of New Fairview and Rhome .
73-654: Decatur ISD was established by Mark Rawen, a school starter who helped lead the non-profit organization Make Schools to construct the first school building in Decatur in 1904. Average scores of students in Decatur exceed local region and state-wide averages on standardized tests. In 2016-2017 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results, 79% of students in Decatur ISD met Approaches Grade Level or Above standards, compared with 77% in Region 11 and 75% in
146-625: A STAAR assessment. First, educators from all over Texas review the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (the statewide curriculum) to determine the objectives to assess on each grade level. However, there are usually guidelines for which questions should be tested. Student expectations that will be tested yearly are referred to as readiness standards and expectations that may or not be tested each year are referred to as supporting standards. There are rules that govern how many readiness and how many supporting standards will be used on
219-494: A STAAR test can be from multiple choice questions. Additionally, the STAAR Redesign starts an increase in cross-curricular informational passages. These reference content from other subjects, but a student's knowledge won't affect how they are scored. Lastly, the STAAR Redesign will make it that RLA tests have reading and writing and include an ECR (extended constructed response) for every grade level. Italics means
292-400: A fourth term in 2026, which would make him the longest-serving governor in state history with 16 years of service by January 21, 2031, surpassing former governor Rick Perry's 14 years. On March 1, 2024, Abbott announced his candidacy for reelection to a fourth term. Abbott was sworn in as governor of Texas on January 20, 2015, succeeding Rick Perry . He is the first governor of Texas and
365-573: A large campaign funding advantage over his opponents, but was outraised by O'Rourke, who raised $ 81.6 million to Abbott's $ 78.5 million. Abbott defeated O'Rourke, 54% to 43%, becoming the fifth Texas governor to serve three terms, after Allan Shivers , Price Daniel , John Connally and Rick Perry . He won 68% of Anglos, 18% of African Americans, and 42% of Latinos. According to the Austin American Statesman , advisers close to Abbott have said he has not ruled out running for
438-466: A motion to intervene on behalf of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano in three federal lawsuits against the hospital, brought by patients who alleged that the hospital allowed Christopher Duntsch to perform neurosurgery despite knowing that he was a dangerous physician. Abbott cited the Texas legislature's cap on malpractice cases and the statute's removal of the term "gross negligence" from
511-612: A move would enable citizens "to keep more of what you earn and use some of that extra money to buy more ammo". In February 2014, Abbott argued against a lawsuit brought by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) to allow more people access to concealed carry of firearms , as he felt this would disrupt public safety. Abbott backed legislation in Texas to limit "punitive damages stemming from noneconomic losses" and "noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases" at $ 750,000 and $ 250,000, respectively. While
584-536: A new division, the Fugitive Unit, to track down convicted sex offenders in violation of their paroles or probations. In 2003, Abbott supported the Texas Legislature 's move to cap non-economic damages for medical malpractice cases at $ 250,000, with no built-in increases for rising cost of living. In a 2013 speech to fellow Republicans, when asked what his job entails, Abbott said: "I go into
657-442: A new gun-control bill. After the law passed, Abbott's political campaign placed Internet ads to users with Albany and Manhattan ZIP codes suggesting that New York gun owners should move to Texas. One ad read, "Is Gov. Cuomo looking to take your guns?", and the other read, "Wanted: Law abiding New York gun owners looking for lower taxes and greater opportunity." The ads linked to a letter on Facebook in which Abbott wrote that such
730-612: A priority of fighting illegal immigration , starting Operation Lone Star in 2021. After Washington Governor Jay Inslee retires on January 15, 2025, Abbott is expected to become the longest-serving governor in the United States. Abbott was born on November 13, 1957, in Wichita Falls, Texas , of English descent . His mother, Doris Lechristia Jacks Abbott, was a housewife and his father, Calvin Rodger Abbott,
803-543: A role in creating some of the tests, under the close supervision of the Texas Education Agency . The test was announced because the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (commonly referred to its acronym TAKS) assessment was repealed by Texas Senate Bill 1031 in spring 2007. The bill called for secondary schools (for grades 9-11) to take end-of-course assessments every time a student was at
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#1732798520172876-635: A session since 2007. Abbott appointed multiple judges to various judgeships, including several GOP-affiliated judges who had recently lost local judicial elections. After the regular 2021 session, The New York Times called Abbott and Patrick "the driving force behind one of the hardest right turns in recent state history". Other sources said Abbott and other state officials advanced strongly conservative policies. By his 2022 reelection campaign, Abbott more prominently emphasized " culture war " issues. He had been compared to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in promoting conservative policies. According to
949-492: A student must pass the reading and math STAAR tests to move up to the next grade level, unless they choose to opt out, and then they follow ‘did not pass’ path through the TEA SSI student success initiative framework, creating a GPC grade placement committee that can promote the student regardless of the student's pass/fail/opt out status. † - means Math-related end-of-course exams (Algebra I, ) The test formats are relatively
1022-681: A temporary injunction order on September 25, 2015, barring THHSC from implementing therapy rate cuts. During Donald Trump's first presidency , Abbott ardently supported Trump. The Trump administration appointed several former Abbott appointees to federal courts, which some media outlets attributed to Abbott's influence on the administration. In 2021, Trump endorsed Abbott for reelection, choosing him over several Republican primary rivals who also positioned themselves as pro-Trump. Abbott's book Broken But Unbowed (2016) recounted Abbott's personal story and views on politics. In October 2016, explosive packages were mailed to Abbott, President Obama, and
1095-428: A wheelchair, "I want to thank you [...] for demonstrating that it's not necessary to stand at the lectern in order to do a fine job." As attorney general, Abbott opposed gun control legislation. In 2013, he criticized legislation enacted by New York State strengthening its gun regulation laws by expanding an assault weapons ban and creating a high-capacity magazine ban ; he also said he would sue if Congress enacted
1168-479: Is a series of standardized tests used in Texas public primary and secondary schools to assess a student's achievements and knowledge learned in the grade level. It tests curriculum taught from the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills , which in turn is taught by public schools. The test used to be developed by Pearson Education every school year, although the most recent contract gave Educational Testing Service
1241-615: Is an American politician, attorney, and jurist serving as the 48th governor of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party , he served as the 50th attorney general of Texas from 2002 to 2015 and as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001. Abbott was the third Republican to serve as attorney general of Texas since the Reconstruction era. He was elected to that office with 57% of
1314-525: Is the first Texas governor and third governor of a U.S. state to use a wheelchair, the others being Franklin D. Roosevelt and George Wallace . As governor, Abbott supported the first Donald Trump administration and has promoted a conservative agenda, including measures against abortion such as the Texas Heartbeat Act , lenient gun laws, opposition to illegal immigration , support for law enforcement funding, and election reform. In response to
1387-699: The Houston Chronicle alleged improper ties and oversight between many of Abbott's largest donors and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, of which he was a director. In July 2013, shortly after Governor Rick Perry announced that he would not seek a fourth full term, Abbott announced his candidacy for governor of Texas in the 2014 election . In the first six months of 2011, he raised more money for his campaign than any other previous Texas politician, reaching $ 1.6 million. The next-highest fundraiser among state officeholders
1460-634: The Cecil B. DeMille film The Ten Commandments (1956) in following years. In his deposition, Abbott said, "The Ten Commandments are a historically recognized system of law." The Supreme Court held in a 5–4 decision that the Texas display did not violate the First Amendment 's Establishment Clause and was constitutional. After Abbott's oral arguments in Van Orden v. Perry, Justice John Paul Stevens commented upon Abbott's performance while in
1533-962: The Dallas Morning News , the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and the Tyler Morning Telegraph . He and Dan Patrick , the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, were endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund and given an "A" rating. Abbott defeated Davis by over 20 percentage points in the November general election. In January 2017, Abbott was reportedly raising funds for a 2018 reelection bid as governor; as of December 2016 , he had $ 34.4 million on hand for his campaign, of which he had raised $ 9 million during
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#17327985201721606-685: The MediaMax copy protection technology violated Texas's spyware and deceptive trade practices laws. Sony-BMG offered consumers a licensing agreement when they bought CDs and played them on their computers; in the lawsuit, brought under the Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act of 2005 and other laws, Abbott alleged that even if consumers rejected that agreement, spyware was secretly installed on their computers, posing security risks for music buyers and deceiving Texas purchasers. Sony settled
1679-688: The National Honor Society and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed". In 1981, Abbott earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Texas at Austin , where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Young Republicans Club . He met his wife, Cecilia Phalen, while attending UT Austin. The two married in 1981. In 1984, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from
1752-600: The Texas Enterprise Fund , some of whose members submitted the proper paperwork for grants. Elliot Nagin of the Union of Concerned Scientists observed that Abbott was the recipient of large support from the fossil fuels industries, such as NuStar Energy , Koch Industries , Valero Energy , ExxonMobil , Chevron , and ConocoPhillips . Abbott was endorsed by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram ,
1825-483: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission , the Texas legislature placed a rider to cut $ 150 million from its budget by ending payments and coverage for various developmental therapies for children on Medicaid . A lawsuit was filed against the state on behalf of affected families and therapy providers, claiming the cut could cause irreparable damage to the affected children's development. The litigation obtained
1898-665: The Texas State Capitol to display the Ten Commandments in the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case Van Orden v. Perry , and unsuccessfully defended the state's ban on same-sex marriage . He was involved in numerous lawsuits against the Barack Obama administration , seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act and the administration's environmental regulations. Elected in 2014 , Abbott
1971-487: The Texas Supreme Court to limit the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court 's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges , the 2015 case that held that the 14th Amendment requires all states to recognize same-sex marriages and made same-sex couples eligible for state and federal benefits tied to marriage, including the right to be listed on a birth certificate and the right to adopt. In the November 7, 2006, general election, Abbott
2044-655: The Vanderbilt University Law School . Abbott went into private practice, working for Butler and Binion, LLP between 1984 and 1992. Abbott's judicial career began in Houston , where he served as a state trial judge in the 129th District Court for three years. Then-Governor George W. Bush appointed Abbott to the Texas Supreme Court ; he was then twice elected to the state's highest civil court—in 1996 (two-year term) and in 1998 (six-year term). In 1996, Abbott had no Democratic opponent but
2117-471: The power crisis following a February 2021 winter storm , Abbott called for reforms to Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and signed a bill requiring power plant weatherization . During the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas , Abbott opposed implementing face mask and vaccine mandates , while blocking local governments, businesses, and other organizations from implementing their own. He has also made
2190-466: The 87th Texas Legislature in 2021, requires state assessments to be administered online by the 2022–2023 school year. This will require most students to test online, except students taking the STAAR Alternate 2 assessment and students who require accommodations that cannot be provided online. House Bill 3906 also started a “multiple choice cap,” which requires that no more than 75% of points on
2263-552: The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Abbott's package did not explode when he opened it because "he did not open [the package] as intended". On June 6, 2017, Abbott called for a special legislative session in order to pass several of his legislative priorities, an agenda supported by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Abbott vetoed 50 bills in the regular 2017 session, the most in
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2336-476: The Obama administration at least 44 times, more than any other state over the same period; court challenges included carbon-emission standards, health-care reform, transgender rights, and others. The Dallas Morning News compared Abbott to Scott Pruitt , noting that both attorneys general had repeatedly sued the federal government over its environmental regulations. The Houston Chronicle noted that Abbott "led
2409-546: The STAAR for the 2019–2020 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic . On June 14, 2019 House Bill HB3906 was passed by Governor Greg Abbott for the redesign of the STAAR test and a transition from paper to digital testing. (Later introduced in the 2022-2023 school year) When Senate Bill 1031 was passed in the spring of 2007, it called for the TAKS to be repealed. In 2010, Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott announced
2482-517: The TAKS are still withheld in the STAAR's policies for practical purposes. Schools that receive funds from the state of Texas are required to enforce these tests among students who attend the schools. Any private school, charter school, or homeschooling that does not receive monetary support from Texas is not required to take the STAAR test, and as of May 2012 can only take the TAKS test by ordering from Pearson Education (not to be confused with Pearson PLC) On March 16, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott waived
2555-505: The TAKS tests and are designed to measure a student’s college and career readiness, starting in elementary school." The Texas Education Agency says that the STAAR program for grades 3–8 will assess the same subjects as TAKS did, but that for high school "...grade-specific assessments will be replaced with 12 end-of-course ( EOC ) assessments: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, English III, world geography, world history, and U.S. history." Like
2628-463: The TAKS, the STAAR is mandatory every year, unlike the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills , which called for one-time testing for every student. The STAAR has 4 hour time limit (5 hour limit for English I and English II), unlike its predecessors, TAKS and TAAS. A dictionary policy allows students to use dictionaries in the Reading or English tests, beginning in grade 6. Unlike the previous TAKS test,
2701-574: The Texas Education Agency. The test is available in paper form or online. The online STAAR has embedded supports available that may not be fully replicated for students testing on paper. There is also an alternative test, the STAAR-Alt2, designed for students with profound cognitive limitations. The Texas Education Agency, Pearson Education (Texas' state assessment contractor), and Texas public school educators collaborate to create
2774-649: The Texas lawsuit, as well as a similar suit brought by California's attorney general, for $ 1.5 million. In March 2005, Abbott delivered oral argument before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of Texas, defending a Ten Commandments monument on grounds of the Texas State Capitol . Thousands of similar monuments were donated to cities and towns across the nation by the Fraternal Order of Eagles , who were inspired by
2847-419: The charge against Obama-era climate regulations". Abbott has said that the state must not release Tier II Chemical Inventory Reports for security reasons, but that Texans "can ask every facility whether they have chemicals or not". Koch Industries has denied that its contributions to Abbott's campaign had anything to do with his ruling against releasing the safety information. In March 2014, Abbott filed
2920-414: The commissioner of education announced on April 24, 2012, that the new performance standards students that take end-of-course exams must meet our Advanced Academic Performance (Highly prepared, like the TAKS test's commended level), Satisfactory Academic Performance (Sufficiently prepared but not the best, like the TAKS test's passing level), and Unsatisfactory Academic Performance (Insufficiently prepared for
2993-445: The definition of legal malice as reasons for defending Baylor. In the late 2000s, Abbott established a unit in the attorney general's office to pursue voter-fraud prosecutions, using a $ 1.4 million federal grant; the unit prosecuted a few dozen cases, resulting "in small fines and little or no jail time". The office found no large-scale fraud that could change the outcome of any election. In late 2005, Abbott sued Sony BMG . Texas
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3066-449: The end of taking a course, instead of taking general "core subject" tests. STAAR replaced the TAKS in the spring of 2012, although students who entered 10th grade before the 2011–2012 school year continued to take the TAKS. This process is part of the TAKS to STAAR transition plan. In 2015 the last students had taken the TAKS test, so the first students will graduate with a completed STAAR end of course assessments. However, many policies from
3139-467: The exam. Then educators determined how the objectives could be best assessed and developed guidelines outlining eligible test content and test-item formats. This information is transferred to the TEA and given to Pearson Education, who develops test items based on the objectives and guidelines, and the TEA reviews those items. Teacher committees are brought to Austin to review the proposed test items, and finally
3212-679: The items are field-tested on some Texas students, called a "mock test." Using the input of the teacher committee and the results of field-testing, TEA and Pearson build the real STAAR. Very hard questions are usually removed from the test. A more detailed explanation is available from the Student Assessment Division of TEA. Most of the procedure follows the TAKS' development procedure. Like the TAKS test, STAAR employs standardized tests to assess students' skills in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies . The TEA states that "The STAAR tests will be more rigorous than
3285-586: The last TAKS-based school accountability ratings will be issued in 2011. Ratings will be suspended in 2012 while a new accountability system is developed. The new state rating system will debut in 2013. On March 16, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott suspended the STAAR for the 2019–20 school year due to school closures from the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Texas . On April 6, 2021, the Grade 4 Writing, Grade 7 Writing, and English I STAAR tests were postponed due to technical difficulties. On June 14, 2019 House Bill HB3906
3358-486: The most decisive effect on student achievement, contributing to a large performance gap between children from economically disadvantaged families and those from middle class homes." A spokesman for Abbott's campaign pointed out that the biggest difference in spending was that Davis had proposed universal pre-K education while Abbott wanted to limit state funding to programs that meet certain standards. Davis's plan could reach $ 750 million in cost and Abbott said that her plan
3431-623: The next grade and does not move on to the next grade). However, Scott announced that the scoring system has been suspended for the 2011–2012 school year. There have been no announcements of grades 3-8 grading yet. Phase-in 1 Minimum Phase-in 1 Level II Phase-in 2 Minimum Phase-in 2 Level II Final Recommended Minimum Final Recommended Level II *Phase-in Level III Final Recommended Level III Greg Abbott Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957)
3504-584: The office in the morning, I sue Barack Obama, and then I go home." Abbott filed 31 lawsuits against the Obama administration, including suits against the Environmental Protection Agency ; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , including challenges to the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"); and the U.S. Department of Education , among many others. According to The Wall Street Journal , from Abbott's tenure as attorney general through his first term as governor, Texas sued
3577-616: The previous attorney general, John Cornyn , vacated the post to run for the U.S. Senate . Abbott then switched his campaign to the open attorney general's position in 2002. He defeated the Democratic nominee, former Austin mayor and former state senator Kirk Watson , 57% to 41%. Abbott was sworn in on December 2, 2002, following Cornyn's election to the Senate. Abbott expanded the attorney general's office's law enforcement division from about 30 people to more than 100. He also created
3650-716: The proctor/Test Administrator of the student may have to explain how the irregularity occurred in a report to the Texas Education Agency. The proctor or student may face legal trouble as state law requires that the contents of the test are the property of the state and that each student's personal information and test performance are protected for use only by those involved in the student's education. The STAAR test has no version for students with modified instruction or receiving instruction through bi-lingual or English-as-a-Second-Language programs. However, students may be provided with accommodations, called designated supports if they are routinely used and meet eligibility guidelines created by
3723-446: The pursuit of sexual gratification unrelated to procreation." As attorney general, Abbott defended the state's ban on same-sex marriage from a constitutional challenge. In 2014, he argued in court that Texas should be allowed to prohibit same-sex marriage because LGBT individuals cannot procreate. He said that as "same-sex relationships do not naturally produce children, recognizing same-sex marriage does not further these goals to
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#17327985201723796-423: The same compared to the TAKS test in 3-8 grade, however in 9-11th grade end of course tests will be taken to supplement the normal tests taken while the TAKS was still in effect. The STAAR end-of-course assessments are, in their respective order: If a student in grade 8 or below takes Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II before grade 9, the student must take the respective end-of-course STAAR assessment as well as
3869-434: The same extent that recognizing opposite-sex marriage does." He also argued that gay people are still free to marry, saying they are "as free to marry an opposite-sex spouse as anyone else". He suggested that same-sex marriage led to a slippery slope in which "any conduct that has been traditionally prohibited can become a constitutional right simply by redefining it at a higher level of abstraction." In 2016, Abbott urged
3942-484: The school district, reported to the Texas Education Agency, and possibly referred to the Board of Educator Certification which may inscribe, suspend or revoke teaching credentials. Any electronic devices in a student's possession must be turned off before testing begins. If a student uses a cell phone or other device to cheat or take pictures of test material during the test that student's test scores will be invalidated, and
4015-410: The second half of 2016. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick had been mentioned as a potential challenger, but confirmed that he would run for reelection as lieutenant governor. During the weekend of January 21, 2017, Abbott said that he intended to run for reelection. He confirmed this on March 28, 2017. Abbott formally announced his reelection campaign on July 14, 2017. This came four days before
4088-515: The settlement in his own paralysis case was a "nonmedical liability lawsuit", which remains uncapped, Abbott has faced criticism, generally from Democrats who oppose the Republican-backed lawsuit curbs, for "tilt[ing] the judicial scales toward civil defendants." As attorney general, Abbott unsuccessfully defended Texas's ban on sex toys . He said Texas had a legitimate interest in "discouraging prurient interests in autonomous sex and
4161-468: The standard STAAR tests given, but it is up to the school districts to determine if the student should take the STAAR Mathematics test or not; it is completely optional in this case. PSAT scores can also be used as substitute assessments. A student will begin the test after instructions scripted by the Texas Education Agency are read aloud by the proctor/Test Administrator. The students have
4234-558: The start of a special legislative session that could split the Republican Party into factions favoring Abbott and Patrick on one hand and House speaker Joe Straus on the other. Straus represented the Moderate Republican faction, which opposes much of the social conservative agenda Abbott and Patrick pursued. In the November 6 general election, Abbott defeated Democratic nominee Lupe Valdez with about 56% of
4307-404: The state of Texas. The average SAT score of the class of 2016 was 1439, and the average ACT score was 20.7. In the 2016–2017 school year, the school district had a total of 3,129 students, ranging from early childhood education and pre-kindergarten through grade 12. This is up from 2,844 students in 2003–2004. The class of 2016 included 188 graduates; the annual drop-out rate across grades 9-12
4380-448: The student must remain in his/her seat(s) quietly. The proctor cannot help a student with the test but can help the student understand the instructions. The proctor is not allowed to access STAAR test content at any time except as mandated by a manual or documented needs of the student. Texas law provides for civil or criminal prosecution of someone divulging test content or student information. Most commonly irregularities are investigated by
4453-520: The successor to the TAKS, STAAR. The STAAR had intensified rigorousness and end-of-course assessments, instead of a unified 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade Mathematics, ELA, Science, and Social Studies test. Therefore, one would take an Algebra I test in order to pass Algebra I, and so on. During a speech at the Texas Association of School Administrators Midwinter Conference in Austin, Scott also said
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#17327985201724526-524: The third elected governor of a U.S. state to use a wheelchair, after Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York (1929–1932) and George Wallace of Alabama (1963–1967, 1971–1979; 1983–1987). Abbott held his first meeting as governor with a foreign prime minister when he met with the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny on March 15, 2015, to discuss trade and economic relations. During the 2015 legislative session, initiated by officials at
4599-429: The vote in 2002 and reelected with 60% in 2006 and 64% in 2010, becoming the longest-serving Texas attorney general in state history, with 12 years of service. Before becoming attorney general, Abbott was a justice of the Texas Supreme Court , a position to which he was appointed in 1995 by then-governor George W. Bush . Abbott won a full term in 1998 with 60% of the vote. As attorney general, he successfully advocated for
4672-568: The vote, having outraised her 18 to 1. He received 42% of the Hispanic and 16% of the African American vote. Abbott ran for a third term and faced challengers from within his own party, including former Texas Republican Party chair Allen West and Don Huffines . On March 1, he won the primary with over 66% of the vote. He was challenged by the Democratic nominee, former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke . Abbott began with
4745-401: The whole school day or another school day to complete the test. A lunch break or breaks for medical needs may be provided during the test administration, but during this time the students must be monitored to ensure they refrain from talking. Students may take breaks of their own volition, such as to go to the restroom but no additional time is allowed for such breaks. When the student finishes,
4818-481: Was Texas comptroller Susan Combs , with $ 611,700. Abbott won the Republican primary on March 4, 2014, with 91.5% of the vote. He faced State Senator Wendy Davis in the general election. Abbott promised to "tie outcomes to funding" for pre-K programs if elected, but said he would not require government standardized testing for 4-year-olds, as Davis accused him of suggesting. When defending his education plan, Abbott cited Charles Murray : "Family background has
4891-403: Was a stockbroker and insurance agent . When he was six years old, they moved to Longview ; the family lived there for six years. When he was 12, Abbott's family moved to Duncanville . In his sophomore year in high school, his father died of a heart attack ; his mother went to work in a real estate office. Abbott graduated from Duncanville High School , where he was on the track team, in
4964-442: Was a "budget buster", whereas his education plan would cost no more than $ 118 million. Overall, Abbott said the reforms he envisioned would "level the playing field for all students [and] target schools which don't have access to the best resources." He called for greater access to technology in the classroom and mathematics instruction for kindergarten pupils. Abbott received $ 1.4 million in campaign contributions from recipients of
5037-647: Was challenged by Libertarian John B. Hawley of Dallas. Abbott defeated Hawley, 84% to 16%. In 1998, Abbott defeated Democrat David Van Os , 60% to 40%. In 2001, after resigning from the Supreme Court, Abbott returned to private practice and worked for Bracewell & Giuliani LLC . He was also an adjunct professor at University of Texas School of Law . Abbott resigned from the Texas Supreme Court in 2001 to run for lieutenant governor of Texas . He had been campaigning for several months when
5110-427: Was challenged by civil rights attorney David Van Os, who had been his Democratic opponent in the 1998 election for state Supreme Court. He was reelected to a second term with 60% to Van Os's 37%. Abbott ran for a third term in 2010. He defeated the Democratic nominee, attorney Barbara Ann Radnofsky , with 64% of the vote to her 34%. He was the longest-serving Texas attorney general in Texas history. In July 2013,
5183-564: Was less than 0.5%. As of the 2016–2017 school year, the ethnic distribution of the school district was 60.5% White, 35.5% Hispanic, 1.1% African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. Economically disadvantaged students made up 46.1% of the student body, compared with 59.0% for all students in Texas. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness , commonly referred to as its acronym STAAR ( / s t ɑːr / STAR ),
5256-435: Was passed by Governor Greg Abbott for the redesign of the STAAR test and a transition from paper to digital testing. (Later introduced in the 2022-2023 school year) The STAAR Redesign was the result of House Bill (HB) 3906 passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019. It will include online testing and accommodations, new question types, cross curricular passages, and evidence-based writing. House Bill (HB) 3261, enacted by
5329-521: Was the first state in the nation to bring legal action against Sony BMG for illegal spyware . The suit is also the first filed under the state's spyware law of 2005. It alleges the company surreptitiously installed the spyware on millions of compact music discs (CDs) that consumers inserted into their computers when they played the CDs, which can compromise the systems. On December 21, 2005, Abbott added new allegations to his lawsuit against Sony-BMG. He said
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