Chicago public schools announce capital spending plan
Chicago Public Schools district released a supplemental budget for a slate of proposed projects that raises capital spending for the fiscal year to $938 million. Full Story
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Alex Samuels
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Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
Past Contributions
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The Bookshelf: Dec. 8, 2016
In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights Lower Ed. Full Story
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U.S. student math and science scores rising slowly
According to the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), students in the U.S. and around the world are generally improving in math and science. Full Story
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![Sophomore student Miguel Nava works on a science experiment at the San Juan Idea Public Schools Tuesday morning in San Juan, Texas November 23, 2010.]()
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U.S. teachers lament limited flexibility in the classroom
According to a recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), teacher autonomy is positively associated with teacher retention and job satisfaction. Full Story
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The Brief: Texas could lose billions over anti-LGBT bills, businesses say
According to a report by the Texas Association of Business, economic fallout in Texas would mostly come from loss of tourism and events. Full Story
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The Brief: Demand for undocumented labor, drugs rampant across country
Although the Texas Legislature spent nearly $800 million on a border security apparatus, the demand for cheap labor and illegal drugs continues to spread. Full Story
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The Brief: Texas cities facing massive pension shortfalls
A new report from the credit rating and financial analysis firm Moody’s identified Texas’s four largest cities as collectively facing $22.6 billion worth of pension fund shortfalls. Full Story
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The Brief: Lawmakers brace for tight-fisted legislative session
During a Legislative Budget Board meeting Thursday, lawmakers set the state’s growth rate at 8 percent — nearly 4 percent lower than the threshold set two years ago. Full Story
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The Brief: TEA will tour Texas following special ed investigation
The announcement comes after the Houston Chronicle revealed the Texas Education Agency had been keeping the special education rate at 8.5 percent, the lowest of any state in the country. Full Story
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![Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath testifies on school board issues before the Senate Committee on Education August 16, 2016.]()
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The Brief: Straus lays out legislative agenda
During an interview Tuesday, House Speaker Joe Straus said one of his concerns for the upcoming legislative session is for lawmakers to restore funding for disabled children’s in-home therapy services. Full Story
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![Texas House Speaker Joe Straus is shown at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.]()
Credit: Alana Rocha / The Texas Tribune