The Brief: Sept. 16, 2014
University of Texas System regents moved quickly Monday to keep two lawmakers from sitting in on interviews conducted by an external investigator into admissions procedures at the system's flagship Austin campus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5f04f9b7229625c0b82411960a369927/BD%20INC%20UT%20Regents%20174-1%202013)
John Reynolds
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/John_Reynolds.jpg)
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
-
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Schools Ditch Junk Food for Healthier Options
As new standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Smart Snacks in Schools program go into effect, student-managed stores are discovering that replacing junk food with healthier options is easier than expected. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/20100607_MG_1770x.jpg)
![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 -
Addressing the Male Teacher Deficit
With women outnumbering men 9-to-1 in elementary education programs, the lack of male teachers in schools has become a perplexing issue for America’s education advocates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TeacherRanking.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Resistance to Standardized Tests Finds Footing Nationwide
A new report by the National Center for Fair & Open Testing finds that resistance to high-stakes standardized testing is increasing across the country. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/StandardTesting-1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Shannan Muskopf -
Stricter STAAR Standards Put on Back Burner
Wary of a jump in failing grades for the STAAR exam next spring, Texas education officials have opted to postpone a rollout of new and tougher standards for the state-mandated standardized test. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/STARR-Test.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Texas School Funding Found Unconstitutional for Second Time
State lawmakers may need to design a new school funding method, thanks to a recent judicial ruling that again found Texas’ school finance system unconstitutional. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/04/_01F0678.jpg)
![After a trial that lasted more than three months, Travis County District Court Judge John Dietz ruled in February 2014 that the state's school finance system is unconstitutional.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Study: Effective Teachers Key to Academic Success
Although parents lose sleep over many aspects of their children’s scholastic environment, a new book co-authored by UT-Austin sociology professor Keith Robinson suggests that the one overriding key to a student’s academic success is a superb teacher. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/16/Teacher.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
The Brief: Sept. 15, 2014
At stake, according to a posted agenda for today's meeting of the UT System regents, is "the integrity and independence" of an external investigation of admissions procedures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/23/7C2A4718.jpg)
![State Rep. Dan Flynn (right), R-Van, talks to state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, on Oct. 23, 2013. Van is co-chair of the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations, whose members include Fischer.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
New in Texas Weekly: Changing Faces of the Senate
The latest issue of our subscriber-only premier newsletter for political insiders is out. Don't get left behind. Subscribe today! Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/05/13/Trib-Plus-LeadArt-001_1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
The Brief: Sept. 12, 2014
Greg Abbott continued on Thursday his attack against his rival in the race for governor, not going after the substance of Wendy Davis' new memoir but rather the publicity tour that has accompanied it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/18/DavisAbbottSplit.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Majorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich