The Legislative Reference Library produces a weekly list of current journal articles for members of the legislative community. New lists are available most Thursdays at 3pm. The most recent list is below.

"Kinship policy improvements toward child welfare system transformation." Annie E. Casey Foundation, September 23, 2024, pp. 1-8
Presents results of a 2022 Child Trends survey of state child welfare administrators on kinship care, or what states are doing to find, inform, and partner with kin or family when a child enters foster care. Offers part five of the series Family ties: Analysis from a state-by-state survey of kinship care policies.
See:https://assets.aecf.org/m ...
Related information at:https://www.aecf.org/seri ...

"Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force: Safe and secure social media use." Bipartisan Policy Center, September 2024, pp. 1-15
Provides task force recommendations to improve the social media literacy of youth and parents; strengthen privacy protections for users; increase the transparency of social media companies and federal oversight; and expand research on the effect of social media on youths' mental health and substance use.
See:https://bipartisanpolicy. ...

"These surprise inspections test schools' safety practices." By Evie Blad. Education Week, August 28, 2024, pp. 6-7
Details how state inspectors in Texas assess school security measures. Explains the process inspectors use to assess a school's security protocols.
See:https://search.ebscohost. ...
See:https://www.edweek.org/le ...

"Why this district established its own police department." By Caitlynn Peetz. Education Week, August 28, 2024, p. 4
Considers how the Midway Independent School District near Waco, Texas addressed a school resource officer shortage by creating its own police department.
See:https://search.ebscohost. ...
See:https://www.edweek.org/le ...

"Severe implications of the Loper Bright decision for education and civil rights – 2024 U.S. Supreme Court recap." By Paige Duggins-Clay. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), August 2024, pp. 5-6
Provides background information about the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. Considers the potential effects on education and civil rights. Includes a specific example involving Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, Texas.
See:https://www.idra.org/reso ...
Related information at:https://www.supremecourt. ...

"Lessons from the early literacy tutoring landscape." By Sarah Novicoff and Susanna Loeb. Phi Delta Kappan, September 2024, pp. 31-36
Discusses tutoring programs for reading in early grades as a way to address students struggling with reading. Reviews research to highlight features of the most effective tutoring practices. Includes case studies.
See:https://kappanonline.org/ ...

"Title IX and the SCOTUS power grab." By Robert Kim. Phi Delta Kappan, September 2024, pp. 54-55
Summarizes the new Title IX regulations released in April 2024. Considers how Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo may affect these regulations.
See:https://search.ebscohost. ...
Related information at:https://www.federalregist ...
Related information at:https://www.supremecourt. ...

"Death of a bottleneck: New transmission line life via reconductoring." By Charles Bayless and Jason Huang. Public Utilities Fortnightly, July 2024, pp. 68-70
Presents the possibility of reconductoring existing electric grid transmission infrastructure with advanced conductors. Explains what advanced conductors are and the advantages to using this technology.
See:https://www.fortnightly.c ...

"Texas affordability sees decline since 2000." By Ramzi Abou Ghalioum. San Antonio Business Journal, September 13-19, 2024, p. 8
Reports on an analysis of the housing market using income data and home valuation data. Notes that home prices are rising faster than salaries in Texas and that every major metro area in the state posted a decline in affordable housing.
See:https://www.bizjournals.c ...

"Parliamentarians, chamber rules, and the race for Texas House Speaker." By Brad Johnson. Texan, September 19, 2024, pp. 1-5
Discusses the role of parliamentarians in the Texas House of Representatives, the application of the House Rules during debate, and the use of points of order in the 88th Legislature (2023).
See:https://thetexan.news/sta ...

"Rep. David Cook chosen as House reform group's challenger to Speaker Dade Phelan." By Brad Johnson. Texan, September 20, 2024, pp. 1-3
Discusses the Speaker's race and the recent meeting of a group of Republican House members who endorsed Representative David Cook.
See:https://thetexan.news/sta ...

"Citrus, other commodities at risk due to Mexico's water debt." By Jessica Domel. Texas Agriculture, September 6, 2024, p. 13
Discusses the recent visit of U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzales (R-Texas) to Mexico City to discuss issues important to U.S.–Mexico relations, including the water debt owed to Texas under the 1944 Water Treaty. Describes the challenges faced by local farmers, including those who grow citrus and sugarcane, by the water shortage.
See:http://texasagriculture.t ...

"Texas Water Development Board approves first state flood plan." By Emmy Powell. Texas Agriculture, September 6, 2024, p. 19
Describes the new statewide flood plan, the first in Texas, recently approved by the Texas Water Development Board. Notes that the plan will guide state, regional, and local flood control policy to reduce the risk and impact of flooding. Adds that some of these policies include the construction of ditches, storm sewers, detention ponds, levees, and other natural solutions to hold and curate water.
See:http://texasagriculture.t ...
Related information at:https://www.twdb.texas.go ...

"Maternal health problems in central Texas underscore statewide crisis." By Sean Price. Texas Medical Association, July 22, 2024, pp. 1-2
Reports on Texas' high maternal mortality rate. Highlights resources to reduce and address high maternal mortality rates.
See:https://www.texmed.org/Te ...