Texas wins independence from Mexico, motivated in part by education issues.
United States annexes Texas as the 28th state.
Texas joins the Confederacy in the Civil War.
New state constitution abolishes Reconstruction-era appointed office of state superintendent and compulsory school attendance laws.
Office of state superintendent restored as an elective office.
State enacts compulsory school attendance law.
State senate bill requires students to take the TABS exam, which takes all student groups into account and highlights achievement gaps.
TAAS, a more rigorous state exam, is introduced and remains in place for 12 years.
The governor, Democrat Ann Richards, appoints the commissioner of education for the first time.
State legislature toughens accountability with TAKS, a more rigorous state exam.
President and former Texas governor George W. Bush signs NCLB into law.
$4 billion Race to the Top grant program announced; Gov. Rick Perry refuses to participate in developing common state standards.
Gov. Perry announces his decision not to apply for Race to the Top, calling it a “federal takeover” of schools.