Researchers believe they have uncovered a glitch in the DNA of the state’s standardized exams that suggests, because of the statistical method used to assemble them, they are virtually useless at measuring the effects of instruction in the classroom.
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
Criminal Justice
Local Court Race Tests Judicial Campaign Law
A runoff for the state district court in Marshall, just east of Longview near the Louisiana border, has two Republicans slinging lawsuits and ethics complaints over provisions of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
Posted in
Public Education
Land Board Vote Cuts $300 Million Out of Texas Public Schools Budget
A little-watched board that operates out of the General Land Office cast a vote last week leaving public schools $300 million short — and the lawmakers who put that money into the 2012-13 budget scratching their heads.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas High Schools Graduating More of Their Students, but Why?
As the latest round of school finance litigation goes to trial this fall, it appears there is reason for optimism about the number of Texas students leaving high school with a diploma. But it’s hard to know what’s responsible for the success.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Weighs State-Based Alternative to GED Exam
Because of concerns over a partnership between the national organization that develops the GED and Pearson, a for-profit, London-based testing company, Texas may create its own high school equivalency exam.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Supreme Court Justice Faces Tough Runoff
A Texas Supreme Court GOP runoff has eight-year incumbent David Medina defending his spot against John Devine, a former district court judge known for his battle to keep the Ten Commandments displayed in his courtroom.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas Won’t Adopt Common Science Standards Soon
In Texas, where the curriculum-setting State Board of Education has engaged in high-profile skirmishes over science education, there will be no rush to implement new nationally developed common standards.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: July 3, 2012
As the fight for Texas’ open seat — the most expensive U.S. Senate race in the nation — trudges forward, one candidate is drawing heat because of his largest single donor.
Posted inPublic Education
The School Finance Lawsuit Cheat Sheet
Texas’ latest round of school finance litigation adds some new players to the courtroom, with interests that are more varied than ever before. We’ve created a cheat sheet to help you keep all six lawsuits — and the plaintiffs’ basic arguments — straight.
Posted in
Public Education
An Updated Guide to the School Finance Lawsuits
Texas’ latest round of school finance litigation adds some new players to the courtroom, with interests that are more varied than ever before. We’ve put together a cheat sheet to help you keep all six lawsuits straight.