We don't need no stinking civics lesson--can't you see we're taking a test!

From the Houston Chronicle:

Some Texas schools are considering passing up on a front-row seat in a democracy lesson during the March 4 primary to keep their campuses visitor-free and church-mouse quiet during the opening day of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.

Leaders of some Houston-area school districts, including Katy, have informed Harris County officials that they're reluctant to fill their normal role as polling sites because of this year's scheduling conflict.

"Sites that are normally used as polling locations may not be available because of administrative policy that prohibits visitors on school campuses during testing," said Hector de Leon, spokesman for the County Clerk's Office. "However, at this point, the use of schools as polling locations has not been ruled out."

Questions remain about whether public schools can refuse to serve as voting locations, an issue state leaders are trying to iron out.

The matter came to a head this week when the Fort Worth school district officially rejected Tarrant County's request to use 34 campuses as polling places. The district softened its stance on Friday, however, agreeing to allow voting on some campuses or help the county find sites nearby. . . .