Past Contributions

• The Q&A: Kelly Williams

  By Sanya Mansoor March 15, 2017

  In this week’s Q&A, we interview Kelly Williams, a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story 

• Seattle families weigh in on efficacy of "nudge letters"

  By Sanya Mansoor March 15, 2017

  A school district in Washington has started to send letters to families of chronically absent students to improve attendance. Full Story 

• Santa Fe tax on sugary drinks could fund pre-K

  By Sanya Mansoor March 15, 2017

  Citizens will vote on whether to impose a tax on distributors of sweetened beverages to fund a new pre-K initiative. Full Story 

• Boston's school committee meetings are packed

  By Sanya Mansoor March 15, 2017

  School committee meetings in Boston sometimes run longer than six hours. The board has improved transparency over the years. Full Story 

• Juvenile jail school transformed by new teachers

  By Sanya Mansoor March 15, 2017

  Activist teachers in New Orleans have improved academic outcomes for students at the state's juvenile detention center. Full Story 

• Kansas struggles with school funding shortfall

  By Sanya Mansoor March 15, 2017

  Kansas lawmakers may be considering a 2 percent cut to the state's education budget, despite a recent state Supreme Court ruling that ordered they fix funding shortfalls for public schools. Full Story 

• Texas House passes statewide ban on texting while driving

  By Sanya Mansoor March 15, 2017

  Members voted 113-32 to tentatively approve the legislation, which will get a final vote in the House before it can proceed to the Senate. A Senate committee has passed a similar measure. Full Story 

• At Capitol, bill targeting plastic bag bans draws strong opposition

  By Sanya Mansoor March 14, 2017

  Ranchers, city officials and environmentalists testified on Tuesday against a bill that would prevent cities from banning plastic grocery bags or charging a fee for them. Full Story 

• The Brief: Bathroom bill debate looms in the Texas Senate

  By Sanya Mansoor and Bobby Blanchard March 14, 2017

  Lawmakers could begin debating the so-called "bathroom bill" on the Senate floor as early as today. Full Story 

• The Brief: Some Texas congressional districts are illegal, federal judges say

  By Sanya Mansoor and Bobby Blanchard March 13, 2017

  A handful of Texas' 36 congressional districts violate either the U.S. Constitution or the federal Voting Rights Act, federal judges ruled Friday. Full Story