Morgan Smith Reporter

Morgan Smith was an editorial intern and columnist at Slate in Washington, D.C., before moving to Austin to enter law school at the University of Texas in 2008. (She has put her degree on hold to join the Tribune's staff.) A native of San Antonio, she has a bachelor's degree in English from Wellesley College.

msmith@texastribune.org
512.716.8620

Recent Contributions

Scott vs. The World

Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott answers questions at TASA midwinter conference in Austin, Texas February 1st, 2011
Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott answers questions at TASA midwinter conference in Austin, Texas February 1st, 2011
Texas Weekly

Texas Education Agency commissioner Robert Scott touched off political controversy this week when he told a gathering of 4,000 school officials in Austin that standardized testing had gone too far in Texas.

Texas Schools Chief: Testing Has Gone Too Far

Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott speaks at the TASA midwinter conference in Austin, Texas February 1st, 2011
Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott speaks at the TASA midwinter conference in Austin, Texas February 1st, 2011

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott received a standing ovation today after he told a gathering of public school educators that the state testing system has become a "perversion of its original intent."

Slideshow: A School Without Sports

Premont High School cheerleader Stacy Morales. 17 and student basketball team member Ernesto Gonzalez leave the gym after Tuesday's game.
Premont High School cheerleader Stacy Morales. 17 and student basketball team member Ernesto Gonzalez leave the gym after Tuesday's game.

In a state where the football field is hallowed turf, Premont ISD has suspended all athletics — including football — to improve its struggling finances. 

South Texas District Suspends Sports to Keep Afloat

The Premont High School Cowboys beat the Hebronville Longhorns 44 to 39 in Tuesday's game which was the last basketball game for Premont.  Premont ISD is terminating its athletics programs to save money and focus on academics as it tries to meet drastic improvements required by the state.
The Premont High School Cowboys beat the Hebronville Longhorns 44 to 39 in Tuesday's game which was the last basketball game for Premont. Premont ISD is terminating its athletics programs to save money and focus on academics as it tries to meet drastic improvements required by the state.

In a daring and rare move in a state where the football field is hallowed turf, a superindent has suspended all athletics to help his South Texas district improve its struggling finances.   

Texas Schools Find Ways to Adapt Grades to STAAR

This year, for the first time, students' scores on standardized tests will count 15 percent toward their final grades. It sounds straightforward, but how some districts are applying the so-called 15 percent rule threatens to spark the next political battle over a test that has seen plenty of them.