Latest Contributions

• The Brief: Democrats May Rely on Trump to Win This Fall

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 6, 2016

  Democrats may be counting on Republican nominee Donald Trump to boost their ability to win down-ballot races this November. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Marjorie Kamys Cotera

• The Brief: Convictions Remain Rare When Police Shoot

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 2, 2016

  As national scrutiny of police shootings remains intense, prosecutions of Texas police officers who use lethal force remain a rare occurrence. Full Story 

• The Brief: Here’s What Texas Officers Face on Mental Health Calls

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 1, 2016

  Confronting an unstable individual is one of the more challenging situations faced by police officers. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

• Arkansas Hosts Community Forums to Discuss School Accountability

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  In preparation for submitting its state-specific accountability plan, Arkansas education leaders are petitioning the public to play a critical role in the process of deciding how best to serve its students. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Eddie Seal

• Adaptive App Builds English Learners’ Fluency

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  As programs for English language learners face significant budget constraints, teachers are turning to alternative tools to facilitate language acquisition in school environments. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Lisa Krantz

• The Bookshelf: Sept. 1, 2016

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights ADHD Nation. Full Story 

• Survey Finds Adults Don’t Agree on Public Education Priorities

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  Results of an annual Phi Delta Kappa International poll offer updated insight into the adult public’s perception of public schools in the U.S. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Joel Martinez

• Military Communities Use Academics to Stop Base Closures

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  As others battle over possible base closures, many communities are preemptively defending their benefits to service members and their families — namely through high-quality public education. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Lance Cpl. Sarah Blendowski

• The Q&A: Ted Graf

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  In this week’s Q&A, we interview Ted Graf, the head of school at Headwaters School in Austin. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Paige Wilks Photography

• Despite Underperformance, Test Scores Improve in California

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  Although less than half of all California public school students who took this year’s state standardized test actually met the state’s learning goals, officials are pointing to progress over last year’s test results. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Brad Barth

• Texas Study Informs Massachusetts Vote on Charter School Additions

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  As Massachusetts gears up for a much-anticipated public vote on expanding its charter school network, a recently published study paints a less-than-favorable picture of charters’ performance in Texas. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Jenifer Whitmey

• Texas Launches Voter Education Campaign Amid Scrutiny of Voter ID Law

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  Texas on Wednesday kicked off a voter education campaign ahead of the November elections. The state is required to spend $2.5 million to educate voters about its voter ID requirements. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune

• The Brief: Reckoning with the Numbers on Police Shootings

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 31, 2016

  Recent police shootings across the nation have raised uncomfortable questions about how the police interact with minorities. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Tony Webster / Flickr

• The Brief: Could Perry Soon be Dancing With the Stars?

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 30, 2016

  Former Gov. Rick Perry may be taking a break from campaigning to bust a move on the dance floor, following reports that he may be joining the next season of "Dancing With the Stars." Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Brett Buchanan

• The Brief: DPS Requests $1 Billion for Border Security

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 29, 2016

  Security along the U.S.-Mexico border could become a $1 billion expense to the state, according to a total budget request from the Department of Public Safety. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Eric Gay / AP Pool Photo

• The Brief: Travis County GOP Looks to Replace Chairman

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 26, 2016

  Controversial conspiracy theorist Robert Morrow's brief turn at the head of the Travis County GOP could be over by today. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Facebook

• The Brief: UT Students Wage Sex Toy Protest on First Day of Class

  by Alex Samuels and John Reynolds Aug. 25, 2016

  Students and activists at the University of Texas at Austin voiced their displeasure with the new campus carry law by strapping sex toys to their backpacks. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Callie Richmond

• UT-Austin Students Snatch Up Free Dildos for Gun Protest

  by Alex Samuels Aug. 23, 2016

  Cocks Not Glocks, a UT-Austin group formed in response to legislation allowing concealed handguns on college campuses, passed out thousands of multicolored sex toys Tuesday evening in preparation for a Wednesday protest rally. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune