The Brief: Oct. 16, 2014
Wednesday amounted to a daylong series of body blows to those who thought that authorities had things under control in the response to the diagnosis of Ebola in Dallas. Full Story
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John Reynolds
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John Reynolds was the newsletters editor for the Tribune from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, he was a reporter for Quorum Report, a non-partisan online political newsletter focusing on the ins and outs under the Dome, for more than seven years – covering the waterfront from health and human services and redistricting to pensions and elections. A native of Atlanta, Ga., he started his journalistic career one day after the attacks of Sept. 11 in Lubbock, Texas, where he rotated through a slew of beats at The Avalanche-Journal. He received his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and studied at the University of Georgia's graduate school in journalism. When not at work, he actively attempts to convince himself he is adept at tennis with varying levels of success. And he has adopted the Austin custom of appreciating smoked meats and listening to music in grassy/muddy fields.
Past Contributions
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![An exterior view of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas on Oct. 1, 2014.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
Texas SAT Math Scores Drop, but AP Scores Rise
While Texas’ statewide SAT math scores for the 2012-13 academic year dropped to lows not seen since 1992, Texas Education Agency officials point to other positive gains. Full Story
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Despite Financial Challenges, Pre-K Programs Expand in Texas
Pre-K education opportunities have expanded nationwide in recent years, with Texas being no exception. Full Story
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![A pre-kindergarten student learned syllables and word identification during a summer bilingual academy at Wilson Elementary School in San Antonio on June 26, 2012.]()
Credit: Lisa Krantz for The Texas Tribune -
New U.S. History Curriculum Ignites Ideological Battle
A new Advanced Placement U.S. history curriculum that sought to stress critical-thinking skills over rote memorization has come under fire from some quarters for being liberally biased. Full Story
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![The new U.S. history framework is the first of what will be updates to all 34 AP subjects offered as a result of a redesign effort launched by the College Board in 2006.]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Bookshelf: Oct. 16, 2014
In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights Lessons of Hope. Full Story
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![Lessons of Hope: How to Fix Our Schools by Joel Klein]()
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New Federal School Lunch Standards Cause Political Uproar
An alliance between politicians, food suppliers, nutrition experts and school food service workers has unraveled due to a confluence of reaction to the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Full Story
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![The Summer Food Program began Monday, June 7, 2010. This meal, served at the Austin Boys and Girls Club South, consisted of a half-pint of milk, a ham sandwich on wheat bread with mustard, celery and an assorted fruit cup.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
Opinion: Homework Success a Matter of Motivation
UT educational psychology professor Erika Patall suggests in an op-ed that rather than debating the effectiveness and volume of homework assignments, teachers should be asking how best to motivate their students to succeed at the task. Full Story
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![Bayless Elementary teacher Holly Guillmen identifies and explains the use of the contents of the Waterwise home water conservation kit provided to students by the High Plains Underground Water District in Lubbock, Texas, Oct. 17, 2012.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster -
Middle Schoolers Train for the Cyber Threats of Tomorrow
NOVA Labs, the digital companion to the PBS science show NOVA, is preparing middle school students from across the country to thwart cyber attacks and data breaches. Full Story
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![A high school student in Roscoe ISD, which has provided a laptop for every student with money from wind farm subsidies.]()
Credit: Axel Gerdau -
New Libby Willis TV Ad, "Whoppers"
Libby Willis, Democratic candidate for Senate District 10, gives the details of her West Texas upbringing in her most recent TV ad to counteract the "whoppers" that she knows will be told about her. Full Story
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New Dan Patrick TV Ad, "Liberal Leticia"
GOP lieutenant governor candidate Dan Patrick uses the L-word — liberal — in his latest ad, an attack on his Democratic rival, Leticia Van de Putte. Full Story
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