1836:

Texas wins independence from Mexico, motivated in part by education issues.

1845:

United States annexes Texas as the 28th state.

1861:

Texas joins the Confederacy in the Civil War.

1876:

New state constitution abolishes Reconstruction-era appointed office of state superintendent and compulsory school attendance laws.

1884:

Office of state superintendent restored as an elective office.

1915:

State enacts compulsory school attendance law.

1979:

State senate bill requires students to take the TABS exam, which takes all student groups into account and highlights achievement gaps.

1990:

TAAS, a more rigorous state exam, is introduced and remains in place for 12 years.

1991:

The governor, Democrat Ann Richards, appoints the commissioner of education for the first time.

2001:

State legislature toughens accountability with TAKS, a more rigorous state exam.

2002:

President and former Texas governor George W. Bush signs NCLB into law.

2009:

$4 billion Race to the Top grant program announced; Gov. Rick Perry refuses to participate in developing common state standards.

2010:

Gov. Perry announces his decision not to apply for Race to the Top, calling it a “federal takeover” of schools.