Icy weather in Central Texas has forced closures of many schools and delayed the start of today's State Board of Education meeting until noon. The agenda for this week's SBOE meeting features a final vote on new graduation requirements, including a decision on Algebra II, pursuant to House Bill 5. Watch the hearings online through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website. TEA has announced that anyone who intended to testify at today's hearing today but is unable to travel due to the weather may email written testimony to the board instead (sboesupport@tea.state.tx.us). Related Teach the Vote content: Read about the SBOE's preliminary recommendations for the graduation requirements and ATPE's testimony at the November board meeting, and watch a media interview with ATPE Lobbyist Monty Exter about the Algebra II debate.

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Today is election day for candidates in the runoff to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. Mark Strama (D–Austin) in House District 50. Democrat Celia Israel and Republican Mike VandeWalle are on the ballot. Some polls are opening later than originally scheduled because of the weather, and voter turnout is likely to be very low. Visit the Travis County Clerk's Election Division for more information on when and where to vote if you live in HD 50. This is an important race, and there will be plenty of time for you to head to the polls this afternoon after the ice thaws. Related Teach the Vote content: Visit the 2014 Races page to view profiles of all candidates for legislative and State Board of Education seats on the ballot this year..

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Today is the last day to submit public comments via email (rules@tea.state.tx.us) on new teaching standards proposed by the commissioner of education. Commissioner Michael Williams is also scheduled to deliver a keynote speech this afternoon at the TASA Midwinter Conference in Austin. Related Teach the Vote content: Read background information about the standards and how they were developed.

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In Washington, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce has a meeting scheduled this morning for its Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training. The hearing is entitled "Keeping College Within Reach: Sharing Best Practices for Serving Low-Income and First Generation Students." Watch the live proceedings online.