https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sneha-dey/The latest news by Sneha Dey.enThu, 09 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/texas-community-colleges-dual-credit-course-reviews/At least two community colleges, Alvin and Blinn, are also considering what they can and can’t teach to high schoolers enrolled in their fast-growing dual credit courses.By Sneha DeyThu, 09 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/texas-community-colleges-dual-credit-course-reviews/San Jacinto College, which has its central campus in Pasadena, is one of at least three Texas community colleges that have recently ordered thorough reviews of their academic offerings. Several university systems are also reviewing their courses after a viral video of a student confronting a professor over a gender identity discussion sparked a political firestorm last month.The open lab area at San Jacinto College's Central Campus in Pasadena on August 25, 2014.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/26/texas-tech-university-system-transgender-identity-restrictions/Professors are afraid to publicly speak out, system leaders left key questions unanswered and advocates worry for LGBTQ+ students’ mental health.By Jessica Priest, Jayme Lozano Carver, Sneha Dey, Ayden Runnels, Lindsey Byman, Stephen Simpson and Terri LangfordFri, 26 Sep 2025 11:00:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/26/texas-tech-university-system-transgender-identity-restrictions/The Texas Tech University's administration building on July 8, 2020. The Texas Tech University System issued guidance Thursday instructing faculty to comply with recent executive orders and state laws recognizing only the male and female genders.View of the Administration building on the Texas Tech University campus on July 8, 2020.Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/26/texas-colleges-undocumented-students-guidance/The state is being criticized for advising colleges to verify students’ status with immigration authorities, which could put them at risk.By Sneha DeyFri, 26 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/26/texas-colleges-undocumented-students-guidance/The Perry-Castañeda Library at the UT Austin campus on Sept. 17, 2025. Student advocates say Texas' proposed guidance on the end of in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants does not offer any significant clarity on how to implement the change. They worry Texas colleges will continue to misinterpret the ruling and deny the benefit to some qualifying students, like DACA recipients.The Perry-Castañeda Library at the UT Austin campus on Sept. 17, 2025.Manoo Sirivelu/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-staar-standardized-test-accountability/House Bill 8 scraps the unpopular exam for three shorter tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year starting in the 2027-28 school year.By Sneha DeyWed, 03 Sep 2025 21:06:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-staar-standardized-test-accountability/A bill that would replace STAAR, the state's standardized test, with three shorter tests is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.Nimitz Middle School teacher Selena Olivares leads her 7th grade class in an activity Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/26/texas-house-democrats-staar-test-changes/Democrats say recent changes to the bill give too much power to the TEA and fall short of meaningfully easing the pressures of standardized testing.By Sneha DeyTue, 26 Aug 2025 20:48:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/26/texas-house-democrats-staar-test-changes/The Texas House approved Tuesday a bill to overhaul the STAAR test, but House Democrats' broad opposition to the proposal underlined lingering disagreements over what a new standardized test should look like.Austin Voices for Education and Youth hosts a summer camp at the Dobie Middle School in Austin on July 23, 2025.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/16/texas-staar-scores-lookup/Test scores rose slightly after math scores previously fell last year.By Sneha Dey, Rob Reid and Edison WuSat, 16 Aug 2025 15:58:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/16/texas-staar-scores-lookup/Austin Voices for Education and Youth, hosts a summer camp at the Dobie Middle School for students that attend the three Austin ISD schools at risk of closure.AUSTIN, TEXAS - July 23, 2025: Austin Voices for Education and Youth, hosts a summer camp at the Dobie Middle School for students that attend the three Austin ISD schools at risk of closure. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas TribuneIlana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-school-districts-takeover-risk/The state can take control of a school district if at least one of its campuses receives a failing grade five years in a row.By Sneha DeyFri, 15 Aug 2025 21:08:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-school-districts-takeover-risk/Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath speaks at Harmony Hills Elementary School in San Antonio on Friday, August 15, following the release of statewide school accountability ratings that showed Harmony Hills jumped from a C to an A score in just one year.Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath speaks at Harmony Hills Elementary School in San Antonio on Friday, August 15, following the release of state-wide school accountability rankings were released and showing Harmony Hills jumped from a C to an A score in just one year.Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-a-f-school-district-accountability-ratings-lookup/In the 2024-25 school year, 14% of Texas school districts got an A, 71% got a B or a C, and 15% got a D or an F, new state data shows.By Sneha Dey, Edison Wu and Rob ReidFri, 15 Aug 2025 14:55:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-a-f-school-district-accountability-ratings-lookup/The Texas Education Agency scores school districts and campuses in the state with a letter grade to give families an idea of how well they are performing. The agency released the ratings for the last two school years Friday.Temple, Texas - 4/17/25: JoMeka Gray teaches a class of kindergarteners at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple, Texas. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas TribuneIlana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-schools-a-f-accountability-ratings/Fewer schools received a D or an F in the 2024-25 school year than the year prior. But for campuses that are underperforming, two or more years of low grades in a row means more pressure to improve — or risk more state oversight.By Sneha Dey and Rob ReidFri, 15 Aug 2025 11:00:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-schools-a-f-accountability-ratings/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-legislature-special-session-staar-test/Before House Bill 8 can go to the governor, the House must formally agree with changes from the Senate, which approved the proposal Wednesday night.By Sneha Dey and Jaden EdisonFri, 01 Aug 2025 17:07:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-legislature-special-session-staar-test/Students attend a math and reading workshop at a STAAR summer camp held at Dobie Middle School on July 23, 2025. Texas lawmakers are again trying to revamp the state's standardized test during this year's second special session.Students attend a math and reading workshop at a summer camp held at Dobie Middle School at July 23, 2025. The camp, hosted by Austin Voices for Education and Youth, hosts workshops to help students prepare for standarized testing.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/30/texas-dobie-middle-school-staar-rating/Legislators have a chance this summer to replace the STAAR test. What they come up with will decide the fate of schools like Dobie Middle School, where low test scores have pushed the Austin district to intervene.By Sneha DeyWed, 30 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/30/texas-dobie-middle-school-staar-rating/Summer camp volunteer Carmen Mendoza hands out gift bags to students as they head home. Austin Voices for Education and Youth hosts a summer camp at Dobie Middle School to help students improve their scores on STAAR, the state's standardized test.AUSTIN, TEXAS - July 24, 2025: Carmen Mendoza hands out gift bags to campers as they head home. Austin Voices for Education and Youth hosts a summer camp at the Dobie Middle School for students that attend the three Austin ISD schools at risk of closure. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas TribuneIlana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/11/texas-floods-guadalupe-kerr-county-survivors-victims-rebuild/Religion and the river are constant Kerr County touchstones. As residents lean on their faith, they grapple with their relationship to the water.By Sneha Dey, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Hayden BettsFri, 11 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/11/texas-floods-guadalupe-kerr-county-survivors-victims-rebuild/A family photo of James Wright and his grandchildren sits outside of his home Wednesday in Hunt. The photo was among the items salvaged from the residence, which suffered flood damage.A family photo of James Wright and his grandchildren sits outside of his home Wednesday, July 9, 2025 in Hunt, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-hill-country-floods-families-missing-search-efforts/The four friends are among the hundreds of victims. The bodies of three of them have been found. Their families have searched for their loved ones since Friday.By Jessica Shuran Yu, Atirikta Kumar and Sneha DeyThu, 10 Jul 2025 15:43:46 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-hill-country-floods-families-missing-search-efforts/Thad Heartfield talks through search routes with volunteers at the parking lot of a Walmart on July 10, 2025, in Kerrville. Heartfield has led search efforts since July 4 looking for his son Aidan Heartfield who, along with his girlfriend and two friends, were swept away by the Hill Country floods.Thursday July 10, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-hill-country-floods-kerrville-vigil/Amid staggering loss, hundreds gathered in mourning and prayer at a Wednesday night vigil for the victims of the July Fourth floods.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Sneha DeyThu, 10 Jul 2025 00:18:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-hill-country-floods-kerrville-vigil/A cross is seen at Antler Stadium on July 9, 2025, in Kerrville. The cross was brought by Michigan resident Dan Beazley.A cross is seen at a Kerr County Blessing at Antler Stadium on Wendsday July 9, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. The cross was brought by North Phil, Michigan resident Dan Beazley.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/texas-hill-country-flooding-camp-mystic/Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Tuesday to continue rescue and recovery efforts in the flood-ravaged Hill Country “until every missing person is accounted for.”By Sneha Dey, Alejandro Serrano, Jayme Lozano Carver, Eleanor Klibanoff, Terri Langford and Colleen DeGuzmanMon, 07 Jul 2025 08:18:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/texas-hill-country-flooding-camp-mystic/Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-supreme-court-paxton-abbott-uvalde-jan-6-emails/The decision, stemming from a 2022 lawsuit, narrows the public’s legal options to challenge Texas officials under the state’s open records law.By Sneha DeyFri, 27 Jun 2025 14:36:19 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-supreme-court-paxton-abbott-uvalde-jan-6-emails/Family members and friends participate in a march in support of those killed and injured in the school shooting at Robb Elementary, in Uvalde on July 10, 2022.Family members and friends participate in a march in support of those killed and injured in the school shooting at Robb Elementary, in Uvalde on July 10, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-pell-grant-cuts-financial-aid/Proposals in the federal budget bill would cut the maximum Pell Grant award amount by $1,500 and take away eligibility for students enrolled less than half-time.By Sneha Dey, Graphics by Edison WuFri, 27 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-pell-grant-cuts-financial-aid/Students walk across the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Aug. 20, 2024.Students walk across the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.Ishika Samant for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/24/texas-workforce-training-legislative-session/Legislation approved this year is partly aimed at helping Texas meet its goal of helping 60% of working-age Texans get a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030.By Sneha DeyTue, 24 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/24/texas-workforce-training-legislative-session/Texas lawmakers this year approved a slew of bills aimed at helping students better prepare for life after high school. They include legislation to expand career advising, grow apprenticeship programs and develop the state's nuclear industry.Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology students Shayne Howard, left, and Steven Vasquez work together to troubleshoot a logic gate while assembling a circuit Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Sweetwater.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/texas-undocumented-students-in-state-tuition/The directive comes after a court rescinded undocumented students’ eligibility for in-state tuition. It’s unclear what information schools might ask from students and how their immigration data will be protected.By Sneha DeyMon, 23 Jun 2025 17:46:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/texas-undocumented-students-in-state-tuition/A student studies in the Perry-Castañeda Library on the UT Austin campus during finals week on April 28, 2025.A student studies in the Perry-Castañeda Library on the UT Austin campus during finals week on April 28, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/texas-legislature-higher-ed-lege-recap/Lawmakers also approved direct pay for student athletes and sought better pathways from college to the workforce.By Jessica Priest and Sneha DeyThu, 19 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/texas-legislature-higher-ed-lege-recap/Students walk the University of North Texas campus in Denton on Feb. 24, 2022.Students walk the University of North Texas campus in Denton, TX on Feb. 24, 2022.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune