Watch the KHOU Video

Texas No. 1 in nation for teacher-student sex scandals: 25 percent of all cases in Lone Star State

Once again, Texas is top dog on a new rankings list . . . but Rick Perry won't be flying to California to lure people to the Lone Star State for this one.

While reporting on yet another high school sex scandal — this one involving a Spring Branch instructor with a penchant for "pot parties" — KHOU Ch. 11 discovered that Texas is No. 1 in the nation for inappropriate student-teacher relationships.

More than 200 inappropriate student-teacher cases have been reported since the star t of the year. A quarter of those happened in Texas.

Terry Abbott, a former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Education, explains in the story that more than 200 similar cases have been reported in the media since the start of the year. A quarter of those happened in Texas.

And in recent years, the numbers have spiked, according to KHOU. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) opened 86 case during the 2007-08 school year. For the 2011-12 session, those numbers rose to 156.

Abbott calls the situation an epidemic and offers up some advice for school districts like HISD, which permits teachers to communicate to students via social media for school-related issues.

"Stop teachers from texting with kids, and stop teachers from interacting with kids on Facebook," he warned. "That leads to serious problems."

To explain proper conduct, the TEA website has video series called The Campus, which explores ethical dilemmas for Texas teachers in the "comedic style of the hit television show The Office." Unfortunately, the webisodes only can be viewed by those with a TEA login.

Watch the full KHOU report:

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improving emancipation park

Historic Houston park's renovated cultural center completes $18.5M project

People at the Cultural Center at Emancipation Park opening.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Howard Photography.

Third Ward residents got to see the new Cultural Center as part of National Night Out.

Historic Third Ward now has an equally historic, newly-renovated third space in the form of the Cultural Center at Emancipation Park. The Emancipation Park Conservancy officially opened it for the public on Tuesday, October 6, as part of the National Night Out campaign, a community-building initiative designed to bring together neighborhoods and the law enforcement officers that serve them.

“Emancipation Park has always been a place where the Third Ward community comes together to celebrate, connect, and create memories,” said Corey Wilson, president and CEO of EPC. “The completion of the Cultural Center will create even more opportunities for people to learn, gather, and experience arts and culture. National Night Out is the perfect opportunity to invite the community back into this space and celebrate what’s next for Emancipation Park.”

The renovations to the Cultural Center are part of an $18.5 million investment plan that built on a the success of a $34 million campaign completed in 2017 that has fundamentally revamped the park as a modern neighborhood multi-purpose space and gathering spot. Among the upgrades are walls lined with historic photographs and infographics about the history of Third Ward that offer residents and visitors a chance to understand the rich heritage of the area while also providing venues for classes, workshops, and presentations. Other improvements include a new gift shop and enhanced audio-visual amenities.

Emancipation Park is actually the oldest public park in Houston. It was founded in 1872 by four formerly enslaved persons, including the Reverend Jack Yates. The park was built to host early Juneteenth celebrations and has been a cornerstone of Third Ward ever since.

“Emancipation Park was created by the community, for the community, and that legacy continues to guide its future,” said Ramon Manning, board chair of EPC. “We are excited to open the doors to the renovated Cultural Center and welcome our neighbors to enjoy this special place, make memories, and celebrate all that Emancipation Park means to the Third Ward.”

Funding for the Cultural Center's renovation comes from Houston Endowment; The Brown Foundation, Inc.; Wortham Foundation; Shell; O’Quinn Foundation; Claire and Joe Greenberg; Sarah and Doug Foshee; Melvyn and Cyvia Wolff Family Fun; Sara and Bill Morgan; and Carla Knobloch. The Jacqueline W. Bostic Stage was added to the park last year as a performance space thanks to support from the Kinder Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Howard Photography.

Third Ward residents got to see the new Cultural Center as part of National Night Out.

emancipation park parks openings