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Kate McGee is an Austin-based enterprise and investigative reporter. She joined the Tribune in October 2020 as a higher education reporter. She was a three-time finalist for the Education Writers Association's Beat Reporter of the Year award, winning the title in 2024. She was also a Livingston Award finalist for her coverage of the University of Texas at Austin. Before the Tribune, she spent nearly a decade as a reporter at public radio stations nationwide, including in Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Austin; Reno, Nevada; and New York. Kate was born in New York City and primarily raised in New Jersey. She earned her bachelor's degree from Fordham University.
A Waco family has made headlines for publicly telling their school district that they do not want their fourth-grader taking state standardized tests, which begin this week. Read the full story at KUT News. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry has ruffled feathers across the country by encouraging businesses in other states to relocate to Texas. Now, cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C., are doing the same thing at South by Southwest — right in Perry's backyard. Full Story
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It has been one year since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Texas lawmakers and school districts are among those who have re-examined security protocols after the shootings. Here's a look at some changes. Full Story
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Earlier this year, Texas legislators passed a law reducing standardized testing and changing graduation requirements. The changes don’t go fully into effect until next year, but a 90 percent attendance requirement was immediately implemented. Full Story
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As more charter schools in Texas and across the country establish partnerships with universities, some education experts worry that traditional public schools — which are already grappling with new high school diploma rules — are being left behind. Full Story
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School districts in Texas are required to provide accommodations and services to students diagnosed with dyslexia. But getting districts to recognize a student's learning disability can sometimes prove challenging. Full Story
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Under a law passed this year, Texas school districts can choose to allow trained employees to carry concealed handguns on campus. But some districts that already employ their own peace officers have no plans to implement the program. Full Story
Texas' child welfare agency has launched a new program aimed at improving foster care in the state. Now in effect in 60 counties, the program attempts to keep children close to their communities and reduce the number of times they move between homes. Full Story
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While protests and hearings on abortion restrictions continue at the state Capitol, Democratic lawmakers have filed legislation that would change public school health curriculum to help prevent unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive sex education. Full Story
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Though the U.S. Supreme Court's major gay rights opinions will not change marriage law in Texas, the rulings have raised questions over how the federal government will treat couples who are legally married but move to states that don't recognize their marriage, like Texas. Full Story
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