In this episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, recorded on Jan. 15, 2021, Evan Smith interviews 25-term state Rep. Senfronia Thompson about COVID-19, race, public ed and that whippersnapper Dade Phelan. Full Story
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A school finance bill in 2019 boosted funding for districts, but the pandemic has since added layers of financial uncertainty. Full Story
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Months of remote learning were hard on the Frisco ISD student. Like other schoolchildren across the state, he experienced mental health issues, in large part due to social isolation during the pandemic. Full Story
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Reports of depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide among Texas students are rising as the pandemic drags on. Here is a resource guide for those seeking help. Full Story
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After years of work and tens of millions of dollars spent, about 90% of the city’s 4-year-olds were in pre-K programs. Now enrollment has dropped and the dream of reaching all San Antonio preschoolers is slipping away. Full Story
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The report comes on the heels of Texas signing two, four-year contracts totaling $388 million with companies to develop and administer the standardized tests. Full Story
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Contracts totaling $388 million have been awarded to Cambium Assessment and Pearson, a longtime player in testing Texas public school students, to develop and administer STAAR for the next four years. Full Story
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Some states delayed winter sports, but Texas has allowed the games to go on with precautions. Medical experts say the transmission risks are simply too high. Full Story
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The appeals court upheld a temporary injunction that stops Texas from ousting Houston ISD's school board. But the legal battle is not over. Full Story
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Like so many people, everyone we spoke to for this special edition of The Brief podcast said they're ready for this year to be over. Full Story
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The mental health of students, and teachers, has moved to the forefront for Texas schools amid troubling signs that the pandemic is exacting a heavy emotional toll. Full Story
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We surveyed some of The Texas Tribune’s reporters and editors about what they’d be watching come Jan. 12, when state lawmakers are scheduled to gavel in the new session. Full Story
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Photojournalists captured the unforgettable images that defined an epic year in Texas as people grappled with the pandemic, protested police brutality and made their voices heard at the polls. Full Story
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Enrollment has fallen as schools and families grapple with pandemic closures and health concerns. Next semester, the declines could start hitting district budgets. Full Story
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Spend a day with Isabel Suarez, an 18-year-old Pflugerville High School senior who's taking on the challenges of virtual school as well as tutoring her two younger siblings during the pandemic. Full Story
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Isabel Suarez, a Pflugerville High School senior, cares for her two younger siblings while their mom is at work. She balances that with completing piles of homework assignments this fall during the pandemic. Full Story
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Within two weeks of an informal reception honoring retiring State Board of Education members, at least three members tested positive for COVID-19. No one told many of the other attendees or the hotel. Full Story
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State lawmakers had previously asked the Texas Education Agency to seek a federal waiver to cancel the standardized tests. Full Story
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One of the board members said the state needs to be more cautious about getting back to normal — especially with a new legislative session set to begin next month. Full Story
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Texas is expected to get enough vaccine doses for about 1.4 million people in mid-December. Healthcare workers who directly interact with patients will be the first eligible for vaccination. Full Story
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