Hoping to prompt quicker turnarounds at struggling schools, Texas lawmakers are considering a controversial policy that would let parents petition the state to make changes at their kids’ campuses.
Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith was a reporter at the Tribune from 2009 to 2018, covering politics, public education and inequality.
In 2013, she received a National Education Writers Association award for “Death of a District,” a series on school closures. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Wellesley College, she moved to Austin in 2008 to enter law school at the University of Texas.
A San Antonio native, her work has also appeared in Slate, where she spent a year as an editorial intern in Washington D.C.
Posted in
Politics
Campus Carry Gets Initial OK in Texas Senate
Following a preliminary Senate vote on Wednesday, Texas is now a step closer to requiring public colleges and universities to allow concealed handguns on campus — a policy opposed by many higher education leaders.
Posted in
Public Education
Bill Creating High School Graduation Panels Passes Texas Senate
High school seniors who have failed their state exams may still have a shot at earning a diploma. A bill providing them a way around the requirement continues to advance in the Texas Legislature.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Senate Approves Open Carry of Handguns
A bill lifting some of the state’s restrictions on handguns passed easily on a 20-11 vote after repeated Democratic efforts to amend it were defeated.
Posted in
Public Education
Senators Share Concerns About A-F Grades for Schools
During a Senate Education Committee hearing Thursday, lawmakers questioned whether A-through-F ratings for schools would provide a clear picture of a school’s performance.
Posted in
Public Education
Talk Turns to Standards as Lawmakers Weigh Pre-K Bills
As legislators considered several early education bills Tuesday afternoon, testimony was dominated by a debate over what standards school districts should meet to get additional state funding for pre-kindergarten programs.
Posted in
Public Education
Lukewarm Reviews for Early Education Push
When Gov. Greg Abbott named improving pre-kindergarten programs as a top priority, it signaled a dramatic move in the state’s approach to early education. But so far, the change has been mostly in tone.
Posted in
Public Education
Patrick Unveils First Round of Education Proposals
Virtual learning, A-through-F school ratings and teacher quality were among the topics covered by broad slate of education reform bills announced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Education Chairman Larry Taylor on Tuesday.
Posted in
Public Education
House Takes the Lead on Abbott’s Pre-K Charge
A week after Gov. Greg Abbott put early education reform on the legislative fast track, top House lawmakers announced Thursday what is likely to become the major pre-kindergarten bill of the session.
Posted in
Public Education
Education Chairman Defends High School Graduation Rates
Committee Chairman Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, took to his soapbox at the beginning of Tuesday’s public education hearing to defend the high standards of Texas education.
