Latest Contributions

• The Brief: Students May Learn How To Act When Stopped by Police

  by Alex Samuels Oct. 4, 2016

  The proposal follows various high-profile — and often fatal — encounters between police officers and civilians. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Department of Public Safety

• The Brief: Paul Ryan Will Visit San Antonio to Stump for Will Hurd

  by Alex Samuels Oct. 3, 2016

  U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan will be coming to San Antonio in mid-October to help U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, win his hotly contested seat against Pete Gallego — a rematch of their close 2014 contest. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Abby Livingston/The Texas Tribune

• The Brief: Paxton Joins Cruz In Crusade Against ‘Internet Control’

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 30, 2016

  Another Texan has joined U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s crusade against the Obama administration’s “illegal internet giveaway,” as critics of the move describe it. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Marjorie Kamys Cotera

• The Brief: House Panels Shine Spotlight on Education Funding

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 29, 2016

  The state's system of funding public schools was in the spotlight on Wednesday as lawmakers examined ways to fix the complex formulas of paying to educate public school students. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Illustration by Todd Wiseman

• Ten “Super Schools” Win $10M Grant to Redesign High Schools

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  Ten U.S. high schools were recently named “Super Schools” and awarded a $10 million grant each from the “XQ: The Super School Project.” Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Caleb Bryant Miller

• The Q&A: Anthony Brown and Louis Harrison

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  In this week’s Q&A, we interview Anthony Brown and Louis Harrison of the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education and co-founders of The Black Male Education Research Collection. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Christina S. Murrey

• Two-in-One Computers Gaining Popularity in K-12 Education

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  Devices with detachable or convertible keyboards that can be used as either a tablet or a traditional laptop, known as “2-in-1’s” are gaining market share in the K-12 education arena. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Axel Gerdau

• Teaching About Elections in a Divisive Climate Proves Challenging

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  According to a University of Pennsylvania professor and author, the burden on schools and educators to prepare students for citizenship has never been greater than it is now, given the nation’s divisive political climate. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Michael Stravato / Shelby Tauber

• School Requires Background Check to Eat Lunch with Child

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  School officials in the Pelham school system in Alabama passed a new requirement that parents who want to eat lunch with their child or attend classroom parties must first pay for and pass a $15 background check. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Delcia Lopez

• Study Finds Racial Segregation Starts Early in New York Schools

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  A new study by the Century Foundation found that New York City pre-kindergarten classes are even more racially segregated than their public kindergarten counterparts. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Robert W. Hart

• New Study Finds Less Bullying in Schools with Wider Age Range

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  After studying reports from 90,000 students in more than 500 New York City schools, researchers concluded that bullying is less a problem in schools with students of wide-ranging ages. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Jeff Heimsath

• The Brief: Rick Perry Voted Off "Dancing With The Stars"

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 28, 2016

  Former Gov. Rick Perry got booted during Tuesday night’s elimination round on “Dancing With The Stars,” making him the second contestant to get sent home. Full Story 

• The Brief: Dripping Springs Parents Debate Bathroom Access

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 27, 2016

  Parents and children at Walnut Springs Elementary School in Dripping Springs debated at a board meeting Monday night the school’s decision to allow a transgender student, born a boy, to use the girls’ bathroom. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Martin do Nascimento

• As Inquiry Lingers, Rep. Dawnna Dukes Resigns, Citing Health Concerns

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 26, 2016

  State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, is resigning in January, she said in a statement Monday. Full Story 

• The Brief: Cruz Endorses Trump, Is Met With Mixed Reviews

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 26, 2016

  U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz spent the weekend taking incoming fire from his political enemies and even some of his allies for his Friday endorsement GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Alana Rocha

• The Brief: Texas Won't Budge on Fetus Burial Rule

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 23, 2016

  Texas won’t budge on a proposed rule that requires the cremation or burial of fetal remains — even in instances of miscarriages — overruling objections from the medical community, reproductive rights advocates and funeral directors. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Qiling Wang/The Texas Tribune

• James Dickey Reclaims Post of Travis County GOP Chairman

  by Patrick Svitek, Alex Samuels and John Reynolds Sept. 22, 2016

  Also, a pair of non-major party presidential hopefuls — Gary Johnson and Evan McMullin — plan appearances around Austin this weekend. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Todd Wiseman

• The Brief: Is Cruz Warming Up To Trump?

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 22, 2016

  It seems U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have found common ground. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Mike Segar-REUTERS/Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune

• Texas College Republicans Split on Donald Trump

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 22, 2016

  Much like some party elders, college Republican groups in Texas are ambivalent about embracing presidential nominee Donald Trump. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Marjorie Kamys Cotera

• The Brief: Fans Help Perry Survive on "Dancing With The Stars"

  by Alex Samuels Sept. 21, 2016

  Former Gov. Rick Perry will live to dance another day. Full Story