The latest public education news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas is poised right now as it was in late April: COVID-19 numbers are moving in the right direction, and reopenings — schools this time — are underway. Everyone's hoping for a different result this time. Full Story
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After a late July peak, the number of statewide coronavirus hospitalizations has fallen from about 11,000 per day to about 4,500. Children who are infected are less likely to be hospitalized. Full Story
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One Central Texas superintendent estimated that up to 7,000 students in his district struggled to access virtual learning, and new iPads are not likely to arrive before October. In South Texas, students share computers, phones and spotty internet with siblings. Full Story
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The Texas Tribune spoke to experts about what the state can expect as schools and universities start school remotely or in person. Full Story
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Starting Sept. 8, Texas education officials will require all school districts to fill out forms weekly reporting new cases, including whether the infections occurred on or off campus and if the campus closed as a result. Full Story
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School officials said parents complained about the posters. Taylor Lifka was allowed to return Tuesday, but she said she is not prepared to come back until the school commits to more inclusive policies. Full Story
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As schools across the state begin fall instruction, most students will learn from home for at least the first three weeks. That means getting supplies and food to students and finding creative ways to hold their attention. Full Story
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There are 347,700 Texans losing federal supplements to unemployment insurance. And 716,000 students getting laptops and tablets for virtual school. And 11,395 COVID-19 deaths. Each statistic has a human face. Full Story
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Amy Mason says there are just too many unknowns for her to feel comfortable sending her 4-year-old to school at this point. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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Desperate to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Cameron County has ordered all schools to keep classrooms closed until late September. But state officials say local health orders don't apply to private religious schools. Full Story
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Without numbers on how many children or staff are in Texas child care facilities — which the state does not report — it’s hard to gauge the magnitude of infections. Full Story
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The data will be posted on a state website and the reporting process will be finalized after input from school superintendents. Full Story
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The decision comes a month after the Barbers Hill Independent School District board of trustees voted to keep the dress code policy, which advocates have deemed racist. Full Story
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In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to why Ambra Hernandez felt compelled to launch a Facebook group to help teachers fulfill their longer-than-normal wish lists. Full Story
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In a state where an estimated 30% of the state's 5.5 million public school students don't have the right technology for online learning, switching to virtual classrooms is daunting. And expensive. Full Story
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Public schools are about to become the next front line in a state struggling to control the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what it's like on the ground at four of them. Full Story
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When general election voting starts in two months, Texas voters will know some things they don't know today to help them make decisions, like what actually happens when you open public schools or allow college football to proceed. Full Story
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Texas' low number of tests and large percentage of positive results suggest inadequacies in the state's public health surveillance effort at a time when school reopenings are certain to increase viral spread, health experts said. Full Story
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School openings, government hearings, going to bars, voting, shopping, even the doings at the Texas Capitol hinge on the same issues: whether it’s safe to gather, and how to go about it. Full Story
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Abbott’s decision to curb the role of local health authorities in school reopening decisions has added to the ongoing conflict between him and local governments during the pandemic, with mayors and judges voicing frustration over having their hands tied by the state’s response. Full Story
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