The Legislature doesn’t reconvene for another five months, but the battle over creating a school voucher-like program in the state is already well underway. A Texas House committee meeting on Monday may provide a preview of what to expect in the battle ahead.

Five Texas school districts have filed a new lawsuit over the state’s methods for measuring academic accountability, putting a hold on Thursday’s planned release of A-F ratings.

The Ector County school district boosted student learning but now faces financial uncertainty. It closed schools and cut costs to stay afloat, but it won’t slash teacher jobs.

Educators say they’ll struggle to keep the programs they created with those funds, highlighting their precarious situation without more state help.