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Aliyya Swaby was the public education reporter for The Texas Tribune, where she worked from 2016 to 2021. Previously she worked at the hyperlocal nonprofit New Haven Independent, where she covered education, zoning and transit for two years. After graduating from Yale University in 2013, she spent a year freelance reporting in Panama on social issues affecting black Panamanian communities. She was an Education Writers Association finalist in 2017 for beat reporting and a Livingston Awards finalist in 2019 for a series on school desegregation.
In a preliminary vote, the House approved Rep. Dan Huberty's bill to inject $1.6 billion into public schools and simplify complicated funding formulas. Legislators must still take a final vote on the bill. Full Story
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The Senate Education Committee discussed a bill that would radically simplify the state's school finance formula, stripping it of some antiquated provisions. Parents and educators who testified wanted a few new provisions added in. Full Story
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The Senate Education Committee is considering extending a decade-old state aid program for small, vulnerable school districts that depend on it for vital operations. The program is set to expire in September. Full Story
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The State Board of Education will take a final vote this week on whether to modify language in high school biology curriculum standards that would require students to challenge evolutionary science. Full Story
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As lawmakers debate possible reforms to the school finance system this week, they might decide whether to continue offering extra funds to districts like Texas City ISD, which last year was forced to annex a struggling district next to it. Full Story
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Five transgender Texans explained to The Texas Tribune what goes into making decisions about using public restrooms, including considerations for the comfort of others and reflections on how strangers perceive their gender. Full Story
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The Texas Senate Education Committee heard Tuesday from supporters, and a few critics, of a bill that would make permanent a 2015 law that allows students to graduate even if they haven't passed their required exams by going before a graduation committee. Full Story
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Despite lobbying from Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the leading private school choice bill of the session is facing strong resistance in the Texas House. We've updated our annotation of Senate Bill 3 to reflect the version that passed out of the Senate. Full Story
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Top House education official Dan Huberty has said private school choice is dead in the House. Representatives showed they overwhelmingly support that sentiment, in a 103-44 budget amendment vote. Full Story
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The House Public Education Committee passed a bill to overhaul a proposal to give schools and districts grades between A and F, to try and get educators on board with the accountability system. Full Story
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