Morgan Smith Reporter

Morgan Smith reports on politics and education for the Tribune, which she joined in November 2009. She writes about the effects of the state budget, school finance reform, accountability and testing in Texas public schools. Her political coverage has included congressional and legislative races, as well as Gov. Rick Perry's presidential campaign, which she followed to Iowa and New Hampshire. In 2013, she received a National Education Writers Association award for "Death of a District," a series on school closures. After earning a bachelor's degree in English from Wellesley College, she moved to Austin in 2008 to enter law school at the University of Texas. A San Antonio native, her work has also appeared in Slate, where she spent a year as an editorial intern in Washington D.C.

msmith@texastribune.org
512.716.8620

Recent Contributions

"Merry Christmas" Officially Okay in Texas Public Schools

Gov. Rick Perry signs House Bill 308 which allows public school students and staff to use traditional holiday greetings and display religious symbols on school property. He was joined by bill author Rep. Dwayne Bohac R-Houston, Bahac's  son Reagan, Sen. Robert Nichols as well as several Santa's, Rabbi Zev Johnson and cheerleaders from Kountze High School - June 13, 2013.
Gov. Rick Perry signs House Bill 308 which allows public school students and staff to use traditional holiday greetings and display religious symbols on school property. He was joined by bill author Rep. Dwayne Bohac R-Houston, Bahac's son Reagan, Sen. Robert Nichols as well as several Santa's, Rabbi Zev Johnson and cheerleaders from Kountze High School - June 13, 2013.

Flanked by high school cheerleaders, a rabbi and an off-duty SantaGov. Rick Perry ceremonially signed legislation Thursday clarifying that school districts can acknowledge traditional winter celebrations. 

Perry Signs High School Curriculum, Testing Bill

Gov. Rick Perry smiles after signing HB 5 the education reform bill before a crowd in the Governor's Reception Room on June 10, 2013. Left to right are Sens. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, Dan Patrick, R-Houston, Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
Gov. Rick Perry smiles after signing HB 5 the education reform bill before a crowd in the Governor's Reception Room on June 10, 2013. Left to right are Sens. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, Dan Patrick, R-Houston, Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 5 on Monday, ending weeks of speculation that he might veto the high-profile education legislation that adjusts high school graduation standards. 

Whatever Became of That School Finance Ruling?

Judge John Dietz in his courtroom before he ruled that school finance system unconstitutional on February 4th, 2013
Judge John Dietz in his courtroom before he ruled that school finance system unconstitutional on February 4th, 2013
Texas Weekly

It’s now June, and there is still no final decision in the sweeping lawsuit involving more than two-thirds of Texas school districts that arose after the Legislature eliminated roughly $5.4 billion from state public education funding in 2011.

House Derails Achievement School District Bill

State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, at the Democratic caucus regarding state budget matters on May 17, 2013.
State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, at the Democratic caucus regarding state budget matters on May 17, 2013.

UPDATED: Sen. Royce West's proposal for a special statewide school district to manage underperforming campuses will have to find another lifeboat. The Dallas Democrat has removed the bill from the legislation he had attached it to after it died in the House.