Back To School, In Larger Classes: Class sizes continue to grow larger than the 22-pupil limit, with more than 73 percent of Texas schools expected to increase class sizes as a way of balancing budgets. This comes at a time when only 24 percent of high school graduates in Texas are considered college ready. Also, children with special needs are increasingly likely to drop out of public schools, feeling underserved. Meanwhile, Texas legislators debate state-funded vouchers for private schools and increasing the number of charter schools.
This Week In West Nile Virus: Aerial spraying has stopped for now, so the city is boosting its prevention efforts. The call to arms has had its effect. The New York Times reports that bug spray is becoming increasingly scarce in Dallas stores. “OFF! is the new Chanel No. 5 around here,” says Carol Reed, who’s always ready with a good quote.
Dez Abiding By “Special” Rules: No alcohol, strip clubs, or unapproved nightclubs, plus a midnight curfew and a team of handlers that will ride with troubled wide receiver Dez Bryant to and from games, practices, and other team events: these are the conditions the Dallas Cowboy has agreed to in order to, you know, keep him from beating up more family members. So now Dallas boasts two athletes who are overgrown man children who need constant supervision.
