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Most Popular Stories
- How Trump’s federal funding freeze is beginning to affect Austin
- APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care
- After shutting off mental health care for Austin musicians, SIMS Foundation restarts services
- Commercial EV station moves forward despite opposition
- Council approves call for better coordination, planning among downtown projects
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- Council Member Mike Siegel will speak out against cuts to federal services
- City manager hosts community meetings on next year’s budget
- DAA offers a look at future of Sixth Street entertainment district
- Zero Waste Advisory Commission adds own ‘no’ rec on merge with RMC
- Former church site offers mix of affordable, permanent supportive housing in SE Austin
Stories by Becky Fogel, KUT
Will new science textbooks in Texas accurately depict climate change? Some worry they won’t.
The Texas State Board of Education is slated to vote today on which new science textbooks to approve for use in public schools. Some public education advocates are worried the Republican-controlled board will sign off only on materials that water down information about…
Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Nov 17, 2023
Austin ISD hits key milestone to reduce backlog of special education evaluations
The Austin Independent School District this week met a key requirement outlined in a state-ordered plan to improve its special education services. The Texas Education Agency’s corrective action plan required Austin ISD to complete all overdue special education evaluations for which…
Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Nov 6, 2023
Rural schools near Austin say they feel left behind as governor pushes for vouchers
For Randy Willis, public schools are crucial to rural communities. “I think the rural schools are the heart of Texas. They’re the backbone of Texas,” he said. Willis is the executive director of the Texas Association of Rural Schools, which represents…
Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Oct 26, 2023
Austin-area school districts want a Travis County judge to block changes to how Texas grades them
A Travis County judge is considering whether to block the Texas Education Agency from making changes to the A-F accountability rating system, which evaluates school performance. Seven school districts, including Del Valle ISD, sued Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath in August. Since…
Courts • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Oct 13, 2023
Austin ISD may still face conservatorship under the state's alternative special ed plan
Austin Independent School District has released the plan that the Texas Education Agency proposed to improve special education services in the district. Interim Superintendent Matias Segura announced Wednesday that the TEA had presented the district an alternative to a special education…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Sep 1, 2023
Austin ISD making progress on school safety projects included in 2022 bond
Joslin Elementary School Principal ChaoLin Chang walked along the edge of the campus on Menchaca Road in South Austin, pointing to where a 6-foot-tall fence is going to be installed. “This is our existing fence. The new fence will pretty…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Aug 9, 2023
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Austin ISD considers adding 70 police officers to comply with new Texas school safety law
Lee esta historia en español The Austin Independent School District is considering nearly doubling the size of its police department to comply with a new state law that takes effect Sept. 1. House Bill 3 is a piece of sweeping school…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 24, 2023
More Austin ISD students will eat breakfast for free after Texas ups funding for school meals
On a bright, hot July day, students trickle into the cafeteria at Akins Early College High School in South Austin. There, they can grab chicken, grilled cheese sandwiches, carrots and peas, fresh fruit and a roll for free. They’re greeted…
Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 17, 2023
Austin ISD is getting federal money to install solar panels at more than a dozen campuses
The Austin Independent School District is one of two dozen school systems nationwide to get a new federal grant to make campuses more energy efficient. Austin ISD will receive nearly $15 million for its Solar for Schools project through the…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 6, 2023
Austin ISD school board approves deficit budget as recapture payment nears $1 billion
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees has adopted a deficit budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. The vote happened a little before 1 a.m. Friday. The deficit was not a surprise. Back in May, the board approved significant…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jun 29, 2023
Austin ISD requests review of state’s plan to manage its special education department
The Austin Independent School District announced Monday that it is requesting an informal review of the state’s plan to oversee the district’s special education department. Texas Education Agency officials announced last month that they wanted to install conservators because Austin…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Apr 18, 2023
There's no easy fix to Austin ISD's special education evaluation backlog. Students are left waiting.
Kathryn Whitley Chu’s daughter was 2 and a half years old when the COVID-19 pandemic began. While stuck at home, her family had gotten used to the way the young girl spoke. But when she returned to preschool 17 months later,…
