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National Teacher Appreciation Day was celebrated on March 7 until 1984, when it was moved to May. (Perry Correll/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

It's Teacher Appreciation Week 2024

The first week of May is designated as Teacher Appreciation Week in the United States. The push to honor teachers started in 1953 when First Lady …

Among his recommendations for the coming legislative session, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking lawmakers to make recommendations about school safety and

TX educators react to Lt. Gov. priorities for next legislative session

Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick has released 57 "interim charges," the topics he wants Senate committees to study in preparation for the 89th …

As of Oct. 2023, the average teacher salary was $68,000 a year, which is 8% less than the average for U.S. workers overall. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

University of Texas El Paso targets teacher shortage

It's estimated that nearly half of all schools in the country don't have enough teachers. To help change that, the University of Texas in El Paso …

The lack of nearby and affordable child care in the U.S. affects job opportunities and costs the economy $122 billion annually, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

Report: Texas Ranks 44th in Nation for Child Well-Being

Child well-being in Texas is on the ropes, with a new study showing significant declines in third grade reading, eighth grade math proficiency and …

In a survey of educators this summer, more than seven in 10 said they're dissatisfied with their current working conditions and would not recommend teaching as a profession. (GerdAltmann/PIxabay)

Texas Schools Warn of Teacher Shortage

A teacher shortage is expected in many parts of the country this fall, and Texas is no exception. The Texas chapter of the American Federation of …

Like adults, kids love electronic devices but need protection from inappropriate content and excessive screen time. (Peggy_Marco/Pixabay)

New Tool Helps Parents Guide Constantly-Connected Kids

The pandemic caused kids' screen time to soar, some of it spent playing video games and using social media. Now, the National Parent Teachers …

The pandemic year of 2020 saw at least a 27% drop in kids' doctor visits, according to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. (Ben_Kerckx/Pixabay)

COVID, Lockdowns Cited as Cause for Reduced Childhood Vaccinations

AUSTIN, Texas -- Many of us lost track of days and months during the pandemic, and that may be why some parents skipped their kids' well-child visits …

States such as Texas that chose not to expand Medicaid in recent years saw uninsured rates for young children grow almost three times as fast as states that did expand Medicaid, according to Every Texan. (badski007Pixabay)

Texas Ranks Last Among 50 States for Kids With Health Insurance

AUSTIN, Texas -- One million, or 13%, of Texas children went without health insurance in 2019, a significantly higher number than the national …

It's estimated one in four Texas children are experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. (afmc.org)

COVID-19 Increases Number of Texas Children Going Hungry

AUSTIN, Texas -- More than two million children are suffering from food insecurity in Texas, where the rate has increased more than 7% since the …

In Texas, 20% of families report slight or no confidence in their ability to pay rent or mortgage on time due to the pandemic, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (RobinHiggins/Pixabay)

TX Families Struggle to Keep Ahead of Pandemic Hardships

AUSTIN, Texas -- Congress has passed a new stimulus package that will provide most Texas residents with an extra $600 - but that may not go far for …

More than 150,000 undergraduate students in Texas are single mothers. (lyncconf.com/Flickr)

Student Parents Juggle Childcare, Studies as School Year Begins

AUSTIN, Texas -- Student parents have some major considerations as the new school year begins. From closed childcare centers, to nationwide computer …

Parents exploring homeschooling in Texas say they're worried about their kids contracting COVID-19 in the classroom and aren't sure traditional school districts can meet the challenge of remote or hybrid teaching models. (Victoria_Borodinova/Pixabay)

Texas Homeschooling Gets Boost from COVID-19

AUSTIN, Texas -- As the nation grapples with returning kids to school during a pandemic, many Texas parents are switching to homeschooling or at …

Texas es uno de los cinco territorios de los Estados Unidos con el mayor n�mero de ni�os latinos sin seguro, de acuerdo al Centro para los Ni�os y las Familias (Center for Children and Families) en la Universidad Georgetown. (salud-america.org)

Niñas y niños latinos del Texas, los más vulnerables durante el COVID-19

AUSTIN, Texas -- Conforme la pandemia del COVID-19 empeora en los EEUU, la disparidad entre quienes tienen seguro de salud y quienes no es evidente …

Experts say brain-building can decrease the chances of a child developing serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression later in life. (antonioguillem/AdobeStock)

Early Childhood Brain Development Gets Boost in Texas

HOUSTON -- Research shows that early brain development gives young Texans a better chance in life. But the programs addressing that are not …

Single mothers in Texas with a bachelor's degree earn $663,096 more over their lifetime than what they would have earned with only a high school education, a study shows. (Pixabay)

Study: Helping Single Moms Graduate College Would Benefit TX Economy

HOUSTON -- Texas would see a big return on investments that help single mothers graduate from college, according to a new report from the Institute …

Young children are more likely to be uninsured in states that, like Texas, have not expanded Medicaid to parents and other adults under the Affordable Care Act. (JCarter/Pexels)

Texas' Youngest Children Losing Health Coverage

AUSTIN, Texas - Children up to age 6 in Texas and across the nation continue to lose health coverage, according to a new Georgetown University report…

Currently, only 15% of Texas families can afford infant care, according to federal affordability standards. (Pixnio)

Infant Care Not Affordable for Vast Majority of Texas Families

AUSTIN, Texas — A new Economic Policy Institute report shows how hard it is for Texas families to pay for early child care and education for …

A national campaign to ensure all Latino children are counted in the upcoming 2020 census includes providing teachers with curriculum across subject areas with information kids can bring back to their parents. (Pixabay)

Campaign Launched to Ensure Census Counts All Latino Children

AUSTIN, Texas – This week, the leading nonpartisan educational group advocating for Latino participation in politics launched a national …

Mercury pollution in the United States has declined by 80 percent since 2012. The neurotoxic heavy metal has been shown to disrupt fetal brain development. (PDTillman/Wikimedia Commons)

Texas Moms Testify to Keep Mercury Protections

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Mothers from 15 states including Texas traveled to the nation's capital this week to testify against moves by the …

The Episcopal Health Foundation is funding programs that focus on healthy infant brain development. (AlissaOHanship/Twenty20)

Foundation Awards Grants for Early-Childhood Brain Development

HOUSTON — The Episcopal Health Foundation has awarded grants to 12 organizations across Texas for programs that focus on healthy infant brain de…

In Texas, 30 percent of kids younger than age 5 live in hard-to-count census tracts. These 582,000 children are at risk of being overlooked in the upcoming 2020 census. (AECF)

Texas Kids at Risk of Undercount in 2020 Census

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas ranks 43rd in child well-being – which makes it one of the ten worst states for kids, according to the Annie E…

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation encourages public policies designed to keep immigrant families together. (Getty Images)

Report Finds Disparities for Children of Color in Texas, U.S.

AUSTIN, Texas – A new report finds significant disparities in public policies for children of color and those in immigrant families compared …

Children�s advocates say all-day pre-kindergarten programs give Texas children a significant advantage when they begin school. (Children's Defense Fund-Texas)

Groups Push Texas Legislature to Fund Full-Day Pre-K

AUSTIN, Texas – Children's advocates are aiming to convince the Texas Legislature to fund all-day pre-kindergarten classes in the 2018-2019 …

Un estudio reciente muestra que el 95 por ciento de todos los ni�os de los EE.UU. ya tienen seguro de salud. (shironosov/iStockphoto)

Estudio: Texas asegura más niños pero se retrasa de otros estados

Austin, TX - Un nuevo estudio del Centro de la Universidad Georgetown para Niños y Familias muestra que Texas redujo el número de jó…

Legislation currently under debate in Congress could force schools to reapply in order to participate in free meal programs. (USDA)

Congress Ponders Changes to School Food Program

AUSTIN, Texas - Congress is considering legislation that would change a program that currently allows schools in high-poverty areas to offer free …

The Texas Attorney General has formed a new unit to assist law-enforcement agencies with human-trafficking crimes. (southernfried/morguefile)

Texas Names Special Unit to Combat Human Trafficking

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas is putting some legal muscle behind current efforts to combat human trafficking in the state. The Texas Attorney General's …

New research indicates such distractions as mobile phone use that interrupt a parent's care and bonding time with infants, may impair a child's brain development. (ATA/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Distracted Parenting Hampers Child Brain Development

AUSTIN, Texas - Parents, put down your smartphones when you're taking care of your baby. That's the message from University of California researchers…

The Houston ISD will vote on a proposal Thursday to ban suspensions for its youngest students. Credit: eropdfklcvnm/Wikimedia Commons

Houston ISD's Suspension Vote Could Help Texas' Youngest Children

AUSTIN, Texas - The Houston Independent School District on Thursday will consider a proposal to ban suspensions for its youngest students. …

A un a�o del lanzamiento de la Ley de Cuidado Asequible (Affordable Care Act), la tasa de ni�os no asegurados est� en un m�nimo hist�rico, de acuerdo a un reporte reciente. Cr�dito: XiXinXing/iStockphoto.

Conforme bajan las tasas, Texas está a la cabeza del país en niños no asegurados

AUSTIN, Texas – Un reporte reciente del Centro de la Universidad Georgetown para los Niños y las Familias (Georgetown University Center …

Safe Kids Worldwide has some easy and effective tips for drivers and parents to make sure all ghosts and goblins can trick-or-treat safely. Credit: Monkeybusinessimages/iStockphoto.

Tips Offered for Keeping Trick-or-Treaters Safe

AUSTIN, Texas - Halloween can be one of the best nights of the year for children across America. But for parents, it can be nerve-wracking. On …

One in six Texas households struggled to avoid hunger in 2014 despite a fully recovered economy, according to new report. Credit: Andrejs Zemdega.

Millions of Texans at Risk of Hunger Despite Economic Recovery

AUSTIN, Texas - One-point-seven million Texas households experienced hunger or engaged in coping mechanisms to avoid it at some point last year…

PHOTO: The Texas House of Representatives has passed HB 31 and HB 32, which call for nearly $5 billion in sales and business tax cuts. The bills' sponsors say the measures will save a family of four $172 a year. Critics argue the state needs to invest surpluses in children and infrastructure. Photo credit: Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.

Child Advocates Challenge Tax Cuts for Top Earners

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House passed nearly $5 billion in sales and business tax cuts earlier this week. Proponents say the move will boost the …

PHOTO: The preterm birth rate in Texas continues to trend down, with seven straight years of declines to reach 12.3 percent as of 2013. Photo credit: C�sar Rinc�n/Flickr.<br />

Texas Key in Nationwide Effort to Reduce Premature Births

HOUSTON - The latest figures show the preterm birth rate in Texas continues to fall, but the progress is slow and that could hamper goals nationwide …

PHOTO: A dual focus on both kids and their parents is needed to ensure a brighter future for the millions of Texas children living in low-income families, according to new Annie E. Casey Foundation research. Photo credit: Wendy Piersall/Flickr.<br />

Two-Generation Approach Needed to Lift TX Kids Out of Poverty

AUSTIN, Texas - For the millions of Texas children growing up in low-income families, a new report finds a two-generation approach is needed to give …

PHOTO: The goal of Walk to School Day is to get children to become more active, while raising awareness about the need for safe routes for the kids. Photo credit: woodleywonderworks/Flickr.

Walk to School Day: Texas Students Fill the Sidewalks

DALLAS - This is Walk to School Day, as students across Texas and the nation are encouraged to "get active" as they get to class. Among those taking …

PHOTO: Texas parents have one more item to add to that back-to-school checklist, getting the kids in for an eye exam. Photo credit: Sharon Mollerus/Flickr.

Laser Focus on Eye Health With Texas Students in School

AUSTIN, Texas – With the start of the new school year, parents across the state are being reminded that the eye health of their children is …

PHOTO: With the growing cost of child care in the country, efforts are under way in Washington to provide more financial supports for low-income and working families. Photo credit: Todd Hryck/Flickr.

Congress Looks to Cut Cost of Child Care

AUSTIN, Texas - As the cost of child care in this country continues to grow, so does the chorus of voices calling on Congress to take action…

PHOTO: A strong bond with parents can be critical to a child's later success, but a new review finds that that connection is never made with some 40% of babies and toddlers. Photo credit: Scott & Elaine van der Chijs

Many Babies are Missing Out on Bonding, Crucial to Success

AUSTIN, Texas – The bonds that children develop with their parents early on can be fundamental to their success in life, but the latest …

PHOTO: A new scorecard on the progress of children in Texas shows the need to create more opportunity for kids of color, particularly the Hispanic population. Photo credit: Greg Westfall

Future Texas Success Linked Heavily to Success of Hispanic Children

AUSTIN, Texas - As the face of Texas continues to change, a new report says the state has a lot of ground to cover to ensure that all kids, …

Reporte: TX, entre los mejores estados en Participación en Desayunos Escolares

AUSTIN, Texas - Un nuevo reporte del Food Research and Action Center (Centro de Investigación y Acción Alimentaria) coloca a Texas entre …

PHOTO: For many people the words 'discipline' and 'punishment' are interchangeable, and while both may lead to behavior change, one expert says there's a major difference in how each connects a parent and child. Photo credit: John Ragai

New Year's Resolution for Parents: Discipline, Not Punishment

AUSTIN, Texas – It isn't among the list of the usual New Year's resolutions, like quitting smoking or losing weight. But one expert says a …

PHOTO: In order for children in Texas and across the nation to succeed, it's critical that they have support in areas such as education and health in their first eight years. CREDIT: Bruce Szalwinski

Foundation of Success for TX Children Is Built in First 8 Years

AUSTIN, Texas – A new report details how the first eight years of a child's life are the most critical in determining if he or she will go on …

PHOTO: Savvy Cyber Kids materials in the classroom. The online teaching materials, and books for sale, help guide the youngest citizens on Internet safety, bullying response and ethics. Photo courtesy of Savvy Cyber Kids.

Expert: Cyber Security Awareness Should Start Before Age 5

AUSTIN, Texas – As younger and younger children make use of new technology, privacy, bullying protection and online safety issues are becoming …

PHOTO: At times it can seem little more than controlled chaos, but when it comes to roughhousing, be it peer to peer, or parent and child, there are numerous benefits. CREDIT: Sharon Mollerus

Letting Kids Be Kids - The Benefits of Roughhousing

AUSTIN, Texas - It is an order that has passed through the lips of many a parent: "Quit that horsin' around!" However, a better option may be to …

PHOTO: It's a common struggle in families, getting kids to clean their rooms. Some parents turn to bribes and others to discipline, but experts say both of those options do more harm than good and instead parents should offer help and guidance. CREDIT: Evelyn Giggles

No Need for Parent/Child Power Struggle Over Messy Rooms

AUSTIN, Texas - If getting your children to clean their rooms is a constant battle, take solace in knowing you are not alone. Parent educator Kelly …

Photo: Following a national gathering in Washington D.C., hundreds of child care experts and advocates are now back home, ready to share new ideas on how child care programs can be rated for quality and improved where needed. Courtesy Build Initiative

Rating Child Care Like Hotels & Restaurants

AUSTIN, Texas - People dine at five-star restaurants or watch movies given four stars by reviewers, and now there's a nationwide shift under way to …

Texas Still Among Worst States for Well-Being of Children

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas continues to be one of the worst states in the nation for children, with the latest snapshot on their well-being showing many …

PHOTO: Making the transition into a summer child care program can be more fun and less stressful if parents know how to prepare their kids. CREDIT: Chad Smith

TX Students Ready for Summer, but are Parents Prepared?

AUSTIN, Texas - Children across the state will soon be on summer vacation. For the younger ones, that means a transition into a new child care or …

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PNS Daily Newscast - May 8, 2024

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TX: Early Childhood Education