Texas’ ban on mask mandates in public schools back in place after federal appeals court ruling
Three-judge panel finds no "concrete, or actual or imminent, injury" caused by Abbott's ban on mask mandates. Full Story
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Brian Lopez
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Brian Lopez was The Texas Tribune's public education reporter from 2021 until 2024. He covered how policy and politics affect Texas’ K-12 public education system and the nearly 5.5 million kids enrolled in public schools. Previously, he was the Tarrant County reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Brian is a New York native but moved to Texas after high school. He graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Past Contributions
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![Fifth graders at Jacob’s Well Elementary School in Wimberley during a reading exercise. Some students participated in the exercise at home. Sept. 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
The pandemic has undone years of educational gains in Texas schools. Here’s what the road to recovery looks like.
Gaps in student learning because of pandemic disruptions could impact students in the long term. Full Story
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![Isabel Suarez works on homework at her home in Pflugerville. Dec 9, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas education board considers how middle schools teach climate change and sexuality as officials fight over library books
Until now, the State Board of Education has left library selections up to local schools. Full Story
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![The State Board of Education meeting on January 29, 2019.]()
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How a YA oral-sex scene touched off Texas' latest culture war
A coming-of-age memoir by a California writer has been seized upon by politicians who want greater control over the kinds of books available in Texas schools. Full Story
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![Gender Queer a Memoir by Maia Kobabe on Nov. 12, 2021.]()
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Texas schools can again set their own face mask rules after federal judge overrules Gov. Greg Abbott's ban
The judge said the governor's order impedes children with disabilities from the benefits of public schools’ programs, services and activities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Full Story
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![Declan True listens to kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hogan on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary on Sept. 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
North Texas principal resigns to end fight over whether he was teaching “critical race theory”
James Whitfield, the first Black principal at mostly white Colleyville Heritage High School, chose to resign but remain on paid administrative leave until 2023 in a settlement with the school district. Full Story
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![James Whitfield, 43, principal at Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, who has been placed on leave by the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his high school. Photographed at his home in Hurst, on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for the Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmaker keeping mum on inquiry into what books students can access as school districts grapple with how to respond
Critics say state Rep. Matt Krause's inquiry targets books about women, people of color and LGBTQ people. The lawmaker says providing specifics about his inquiry "could compromise a potential investigation." Full Story
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![Teacher Melissa Perry reads to her fifth grade class at Jacob’s Well Elementary School in Wimberley on September 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House committee to investigate school districts’ books on race and sexuality
State Rep. Matt Krause, a candidate for state attorney general, asked school superintendents to confirm whether any books on a list of 850 titles are in their libraries and classrooms. Full Story
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![Books at McCallum High School in Austin on Jul. 31, 2013.]()
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FDA panel recommends approval of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5-11. Here's what that means for Texans.
The move opens the door to emergency use approval by the FDA. In Texas, about 2.9 million children would be newly eligible if that happens. Full Story
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![A woman receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic held in partnership between the Central Texas Food Bank and the University of Texas in Austin on July 21, 2021.]()
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The law that prompted a school administrator to call for an “opposing” perspective on the Holocaust is causing confusion across Texas
Lawmakers say schools are misinterpreting a new measure designed to keep critical race theory out of public schools. Full Story
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![An empty classroom at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune