Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday voiced his support for revamping the state’s newly implemented student assessment system.
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
Public Education
At Capitol Education Rally, Tough Words for Legislature
Public education advocates at a rally at the Capitol on Saturday accused lawmakers of strangling public schools with out-of-control high-stakes testing and funding cuts. Organizers said about 3,500 people attended.
Posted in
Public Education
Amid Anti-Testing Furor, a Focus on High School Graduation Requirements
Proposals to modify high school graduation requirements have won the support of educators and industry groups. But some worry momentum against high-stakes testing could sweep away progress in improving preparation for college and career.
Posted in
Public Education
Reducing School Tests Draws Support in Hearing
More than 100 witnesses signed up to testify before the House Public Education Committee Tuesday on a massive bill restructuring student testing, graduation requirements and the public school accountability system in the state.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas Senators Slam State’s Testing Regime
State senators took turns publicly condemning Texas’ student assessment system — the implementation of which one lawmaker called a “colossal failure” — at a Tuesday Education Committee meeting.
Posted in
Public Education
Education Chairman Aims to Expand Charter Schools
Legislation creating a new state board to oversee charter school applications and removing limits on the number of state charter contracts was filed Monday by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston.
Posted in
Public Education
Existing School Transfer Program is Underused
A scholarship to help students trapped in failing public schools attend another of their choice is near the top of the legislative agenda for top Republican leaders. But Texas has a similar existing program, and it is dramatically underused.
Posted in
Higher Education
Williams Seeks Higher Ed Input on High School Requirements
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams implored higher education leaders Thursday to engage in discussions about the state’s high school requirements.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
Part-Time Legislature Can Create Financial Hardship
Texas’ founders wanted a part-time Legislature with no room for full-time politicians. But paltry state pay means today’s lawmakers must hold full-time jobs elsewhere — narrowing the ranks of likely officeholders to those who can afford to do it.
Posted in
Politics
Former House Public Education Chairman Lobbying for Pearson
Former House Public Education Chairman Rob Eissler, now a lobbyist, has taken on publishing and testing giant Pearson as a client, according to recent Ethics Commission reports. The company holds a $468 million contract with the state.
