This is the second Texas university system sued over teaching restrictions in recent weeks.
Jessica Priest
Jessica Priest covers higher education, working in partnership with Open Campus. She joined the Tribune in 2022 as an engagement reporter in the ProPublica/Texas Tribune joint investigative unit, contributing to a series that was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in the explanatory reporting category. Prior to the Tribune, Jessica worked for the Fort Worth Report, USA Today, the Victoria Advocate and the Temple Daily Telegram, reporting on topics that included criminal justice, the environment and local government. Her work has often made an impact. The state’s highest criminal court granted a death row inmate a new trial after she detailed a prosecutor’s conflicts of interest. After she exposed questionable hirings and payments at a port and later a water district in another part of the state, both public entities underwent reforms. Jessica was born in Houston and graduated from Sam Houston State University.
Posted in
Higher Education
Censorship or accountability? Impact of law prompting Texas’ scrutiny of universities detailed
Students and professors shared how SB 37 led to academic censorship at their campuses.
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Higher Education
Universities can use conservative-favored entrance exam as Texas eyes wider use, agency chief says
Texas may expand use of the Classical Learning Test despite a new report finding less evidence its scores predict college success than the SAT or ACT.
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Higher Education
Student success should mean more state money for universities, Texas agency suggests
The state’s higher education agency recommends Texas lawmakers revamp funding for public universities that rewards schools for student success.
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Higher Education
Texas invested billions to fight cancer. Abbott’s H-1B visas restrictions may stall research, some warn
MD Anderson is a global leader in cancer research, tapping hundreds of foreign-born scientists. Now Gov. Greg Abbott’s restrictions on H-1B visas may limit the talent pool.
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Higher Education
Faculty groups suing Texas Tech want block on rules limiting instruction on race, gender, sexual orientation
The professor groups want the rules suspended as their case proceeds. The lawsuit alleges the university’s restrictions are discriminatory and a violation of free speech.
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Texas Legislature 2027
Texas agencies must cut spending by 3% under new order from Abbott, Patrick and Burrows
The Big Three framed the move as a way to keep Texas fiscally conservative and help fund priorities like property tax cuts. Public education and school vouchers were exempted.
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Higher Education
Appeals court rejects effort to defend Texas law offering in-state tuition for undocumented students
A federal judge blocked the law known as the Texas Dream Act in June after it was challenged by the Trump administration and state officials declined to defend it.
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Higher Education
Texas A&M president’s five-year contract includes $1.25 million in base pay
The terms for Susan Ballabina, promoted in May, include possible merit bonuses and deferred compensation, records show.
Posted in
Higher Education
Buyouts offered to nearly a quarter of UT Tyler employees amid budget shortfall
The university in East Texas is among other state colleges facing financial strains.
