Latest Contributions

• Texas schools still tallying storm costs, and some won't reopen soon

  by Aliyya Swaby Feb. 26, 2021

  School districts report flooded classrooms and gyms, and teachers have lost supplies and learning materials. The damage is further disrupting a school year already upended by the pandemic. Full Story 

• Texas students slammed again as storm scrambles already chaotic school year

  by Aliyya Swaby Feb. 19, 2021

  The pandemic had already destabilized parents, teachers and students. Now the winter storm's damage to buildings is preventing schools from even serving as lifelines for students in need of shelter and food. Full Story 

• Many Texas students can skip STAAR tests this year, but high schoolers might have to show up to graduate

  by Aliyya Swaby Feb. 12, 2021

  There will be few consequences if parents worried about the health risks of in-person testing keep their elementary and middle school students in virtual learning at home. But high schoolers still must pass certain exams to graduate. Full Story 

• Watch: Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on educating students during a pandemic

  by Aliyya Swaby Updated: Feb. 11, 2021

  Morath spoke with The Texas Tribune about on-campus and virtual instruction, school funding and the STAAR exam. Full Story 

• There aren't enough substitute teachers to step in when coronavirus keeps Texas teachers out of the classroom

  by Aliyya Swaby Feb. 2, 2021

  Administrators, school staff and uncredentialed stand-ins are being sent into classrooms to cover for teachers who fall ill or have to isolate. But even those improvisations aren't keeping classrooms fully staffed. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans want to keep transgender women out of women’s school sports teams

  by Kate McGee and Aliyya Swaby Updated: Feb. 1, 2021

  Lawmakers have filed legislation that would ban transgender girls and women who attend public K-12 schools, colleges and universities from playing on single-sex sports teams designated for girls and women. Full Story 

• Texas will require students to take the STAAR test in person

  by Aliyya Swaby Jan. 29, 2021

  School districts can set up sites outside of their schools, including performing arts centers, hotels and recreation centers where they can “ensure equitable access and maintain test security.” Full Story 

• Texas schools are wary of losing funding gains lawmakers provided in 2019

  by Aliyya Swaby and Cassandra Pollock Jan. 15, 2021

  A school finance bill in 2019 boosted funding for districts, but the pandemic has since added layers of financial uncertainty. Full Story 

• Where parents and students in Texas can turn for help with mental health concerns

  by Aliyya Swaby Jan. 13, 2021

  Reports of depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide among Texas students are rising as the pandemic drags on. Here is a resource guide for those seeking help. Full Story 

• Jordan’s story: Isolated, anxious and failing online classes, an 11-year-old Texas boy considered suicide

  by Aliyya Swaby Jan. 13, 2021

  Months of remote learning were hard on the Frisco ISD student. Like other schoolchildren across the state, he experienced mental health issues, in large part due to social isolation during the pandemic. Full Story 

• After a day of chaos at U.S. Capitol, Congress rejects Ted Cruz-led effort to dispute election results

  by Abby Livingston and Aliyya Swaby Updated: Jan. 7, 2021

  Hours after pro-Trump protesters swarmed the U.S. Capitol, the House and Senate returned to resume certification of the Electoral College votes for president. Early this morning, they certified the results for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Full Story 

• Texas unveils plan to have all students take STAAR online by 2022

  by Aliyya Swaby Jan. 5, 2021

  The report comes on the heels of Texas signing two, four-year contracts totaling $388 million with companies to develop and administer the standardized tests. Full Story 

• Texas hires two companies to run STAAR, moving toward statewide online testing

  by Aliyya Swaby Updated: Jan. 4, 2021

  Contracts totaling $388 million have been awarded to Cambium Assessment and Pearson, a longtime player in testing Texas public school students, to develop and administer STAAR for the next four years. Full Story 

• Texas still blocked from taking over Houston’s school district, appeals court rules

  by Aliyya Swaby Dec. 30, 2020

  The appeals court upheld a temporary injunction that stops Texas from ousting Houston ISD's school board. But the legal battle is not over. Full Story 

• Texas school leaders urge state not to cut funding as they struggle with declining enrollment

  by Aliyya Swaby Dec. 15, 2020

  Enrollment has fallen as schools and families grapple with pandemic closures and health concerns. Next semester, the declines could start hitting district budgets. Full Story 

• This high school senior plans to be the first in her family to attend college. She has to finish virtual school first.

  by Aliyya Swaby Dec. 15, 2020

  Isabel Suarez, a Pflugerville High School senior, cares for her two younger siblings while their mom is at work. She balances that with completing piles of homework assignments this fall during the pandemic. Full Story 

• Listen: She’s tutoring her siblings while learning remotely. How one Texas high school senior navigates the pandemic.

  by Aliyya Swaby and Todd Wiseman Dec. 15, 2020

  Spend a day with Isabel Suarez, an 18-year-old Pflugerville High School senior who's taking on the challenges of virtual school as well as tutoring her two younger siblings during the pandemic. Full Story 

• After an indoor reception for Texas education officials, many attendees weren't told of COVID-19 diagnoses

  by Aliyya Swaby Dec. 11, 2020

  Within two weeks of an informal reception honoring retiring State Board of Education members, at least three members tested positive for COVID-19. No one told many of the other attendees or the hotel. Full Story 

• Texas students will still take STAAR tests in 2021, but schools won't be rated on them

  by Aliyya Swaby Dec. 10, 2020

  State lawmakers had previously asked the Texas Education Agency to seek a federal waiver to cancel the standardized tests. Full Story 

• At least three Texas Board of Education members test positive for the coronavirus after in-person meeting

  by Aliyya Swaby Dec. 8, 2020

  One of the board members said the state needs to be more cautious about getting back to normal — especially with a new legislative session set to begin next month. Full Story