Past Contributions

• Republicans maintain majority on Texas education board

  By Aliyya Swaby Updated: Nov. 5, 2020

  Democrats targeted three seats on the Republican-dominated board and won one of them this week. Republicans won the other two seats. Full Story 

• Democrats say San Marcos officials didn’t respond to “Trump Train” that harassed Biden bus

  By Kate McGee and Aliyya Swaby Nov. 2, 2020

  San Marcos officials were alerted of the Biden campaign event in the city 24 hours in advance, but Democrats in Hays County say officials did not adequately prepare a response given the political climate. Full Story 

• "These patriots did nothing wrong," Trump says of supporters who surrounded Biden bus

  By Aliyya Swaby Updated: Nov. 2, 2020

  The "Trump Train" — a caravan of trucks waving Trump and American flags — appeared to try to slow down the Biden campaign bus in Texas, as supporters honked their horns and shouted. The FBI is investigating. Full Story 

• Alarming failure rates among Texas students fuel calls to get them back into classrooms

  By Aliyya Swaby Oct. 23, 2020

  Most schools hoped this fall would see students make up academic ground lost last spring when the pandemic hit. Instead, districts are looking for ways to reverse plummeting grades and attendance among students learning at home. Full Story 

• Texas schools tell teachers with medical risks they must return to classrooms during the pandemic

  By Aliyya Swaby and Emma Platoff Oct. 20, 2020

  Several school districts are trying to accommodate teachers with health conditions who want to work from home, but many are being called back in as more students return to classrooms. Full Story 

• Texas teachers are demanding that schools be safe before they return. But they have little leverage short of quitting.

  By Aliyya Swaby Oct. 12, 2020

  As more students return to classrooms, school districts need teachers to show up as well. But many are reluctant, arguing that not enough is being done to keep faculty and students safe. Full Story 

• With Texas schools struggling to find lost students, state offers temporary financial reprieve

  By Aliyya Swaby Oct. 1, 2020

  The state parcels out school funding based on attendance, but many districts have seen sharp declines this fall. Local school officials are worried that they'll run out of money to pay for staff, facilities and other fixed expenses. Full Story 

• Texas updates coronavirus case totals in schools, but the data remains limited and murky

  By Aliyya Swaby and Mandi Cai Oct. 1, 2020

  The state's second attempt at reporting known COVID-19 cases among students and staff doesn't get much closer to helping the public understand how or whether infections are spreading in Texas public schools. Full Story 

• State releases numbers showing low Texas public school infection rates, but the data is limited

  By Aliyya Swaby and Emma Platoff Sept. 17, 2020

  The state's first effort to publicly report coronavirus data from schools shows low statewide infection rates. Breakdowns by school districts should be reported next week. Full Story 

• Faceless avatars and microphone malfunctions: A Houston teacher wonders if his students are learning

  By Aliyya Swaby Sept. 17, 2020

  Spend a day with Westfield High School teacher Cris Hernandez, and you'll see the frustrations and uncertainties of virtual teaching. More than four weeks into the school year, he still can't tell if he's connecting with his students. Full Story