Christine Ayala

After protracted conflicts in the city of Baltimore, President Obama pointed to education programs — particularly those that target children of high-poverty, urban families — as helpful to struggling communities.

Nine states, including Texas, currently offer a “seal of biliteracy” on high school diplomas for graduates who have demonstrated proficiency in a second language. But experts wonder whether the trend is necessary.

Since its introduction in 2012, passing rates and average scores for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR tests, have failed to improve.

In this week’s Q&A, we interview Colleen Reutebuch, director of the Reading Institute in the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at the University of Texas at Austin.

In partnership with some heavy hitters in technology and education, James P. Steyer is drumming up support for Common Sense Kids Action, a nonprofit advocacy organization for children.

In this week’s Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights In Defense of a Liberal Education.

The Tribune, in partnership with Huston-Tillotson University, will host a daylong Symposium on Health Care on May 4.

A new study confirms previous findings that there is no link between vaccinations and autism. The findings come after 162 people in the United States contracted measles this year.

Texas makes the list of standout hospitals — twice, according to a health care trade publication. Five in total were selected for their “features or circumstances.”

In this week’s Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights 10% Human.