https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sneha-dey/The latest news by Sneha Dey.enFri, 23 May 2025 03:35:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/23/staar-test-texas-schools/The House, which differs with senators on districts’ power to sue over their A-F ratings, must now decide whether to renegotiate or risk keeping STAAR by default.By Sneha DeyFri, 23 May 2025 03:35:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/23/staar-test-texas-schools/Math teacher Becky McLaughlin presides over a STAAR prep session for 7th graders at Blocker Middle School in Texas City on March 24, 2017.Math teacher Becky McLaughlin during a STAAR prep session for 7th graders at Blocker Middle School in Texas City on March 24, 2017.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/22/texas-school-discpline-rules-changes/The Texas Senate had previously proposed more severe consequences in the bill.By Sneha DeyThu, 22 May 2025 21:43:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/22/texas-school-discpline-rules-changes/Texas lawmakers are poised to rewrite the state's student discipline rules, giving schools more flexibility.Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom as they wait for a teacher between periods Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/22/texas-school-student-discipline/Texas lawmakers are poised to make it easier to suspend disruptive students. But some teachers and school psychologists say discipline alone won’t meet the mental health needs at the root of their behavior.By Sneha DeyThu, 22 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/22/texas-school-student-discipline/Nadene Casteel, a teacher at Heritage Rose Elementary School in Fort Bend County, says classrooms have become increasingly difficult to manage since the pandemic. Texas lawmakers are pushing for sweeping legislation that would give schools more latitude to discipline disruptive students, but some educators say such measures won't address the root causes of children's behavioral issues.Public educator Nadene Casteel at Heritage Rose Elementary School on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Ft. Bend County.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/texas-staar-test-school-accountability-bill/House Bill 4 would make the test shorter and base scores on how students’ performance compares to national averages.By Sneha DeyMon, 12 May 2025 17:07:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/texas-staar-test-school-accountability-bill/The Texas House gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill that would eliminate the STAAR test.Nimitz Middle School 7th grade teacher Pricilla Martinez leads her class in an activity Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa. STAAR testing begins across Texas on Tuesday.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-pre-k-third-grade-students-reading-math/Students who are behind in third grade rarely catch up. Texas lawmakers want to intervene earlier.By Sneha DeyWed, 07 May 2025 13:06:34 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-pre-k-third-grade-students-reading-math/At the Waco Central Library, Ellis Pittman, 5, looks for a book to take home on April 5, 2024. The Texas House and Senate have approved similar bills meant to help Texas' youngest learners with reading and math.At the Waco Central Library, Ellis Pittman, five, looks for a book to take home on April 5, 2024. Pittman had just started reading.Greta Díaz González Vázquez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/28/texas-police-deadly-conduct-exempt/Local prosecutors have used the charge to punish police accused of misconduct. Legislation that would prevent that is advancing through the Legislature.By Sneha DeyMon, 28 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/28/texas-police-deadly-conduct-exempt/Police tactical officers prepare for confrontation during a march against police brutality in Dallas on March 29, 2020.Police tactical officers prepare for confrontation during a march against police brutality in Dallas on March 29, 2020.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-schools-a-f-accountability-ratings/The Texas Education Agency released the 2022-23 school year ratings on Thursday after a 19-month legal battle over how those ratings are calculated.By Sneha Dey, Yuriko Schumacher and Rob ReidThu, 24 Apr 2025 14:51:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-schools-a-f-accountability-ratings/Texas on Thursday released school ratings for the 2022-2023 school year, offering families the first full view of how their schools and school districts are performing in years.The Texas flags hangs at a classroom, on Aug. 7, 2024.Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-schools-accountability-ratings/Failing grades for districts were made public for the first time since 2019. They showed schools with the poorest students were more likely to get a low score.By Sneha Dey and Rob ReidThu, 24 Apr 2025 10:28:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-schools-accountability-ratings/The Texas Education Agency on Thursday released the 2023 performance ratings for the state's schools and school districts. The ratings were held up on court for 19 months.A Nimitz Middle School student raises their hand during class Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/23/texas-school-districts-accountability-ratings-lawsuits/School leaders have privately criticized a bill that would make it harder to contest their performance ratings in court. But they did not testify against it to avoid lawmakers’ ire.By Sneha DeyWed, 23 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/23/texas-school-districts-accountability-ratings-lawsuits/Texas school leaders are critical of a Senate bill that would limit their ability to legally challenge changes to the state's school accountability ratings system. But they declined to testify against the legislation out of fear of provoking lawmakers' ire and risking the funding gains they hope to secure this year.Tables are spaced out in a classroom at Ott Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in San Antonio. The tables, which typically seat six to eight students, were arranged to seat four students and 16 total students in the classroom.Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-school-discipline/House Bill 6 is a response to reports of more violent classroom disruptions after the pandemic. It lowers the bar for when schools can discipline for the state’s homeless and youngest students.By Sneha DeyTue, 15 Apr 2025 18:44:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-school-discipline/The Texas House gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill that would make it easier for schools to discipline students.Students fill the hallway between classes at United South High School in Laredo on Oct. 23, 2018.Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/07/education-department-dismantling-texas-disability-students/In a state with a checkered history with federal special education law, advocates say Texas students will see an erosion of their disability rights protections.By Sneha DeyMon, 07 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/07/education-department-dismantling-texas-disability-students/As the Trump administration pushes to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, advocates for students with disabilities worry that, without federal oversight, Texas will fail to provide adequate special education services to the children who need them.Odessa High School students walk between classes on Sept. 13, 2023, in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/26/texas-community-colleges-house-bill-8/More than a year after Texas’ House Bill 8 took effect, some schools have offered free tuition, grown dual credit programs or helped students’ credits transfer when they move on to four-year schools.By Sneha DeyWed, 26 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/26/texas-community-colleges-house-bill-8/Jennifer Waldron, a continuing education instructor at Austin Community College, shows students where to put electrodes when doing an EKG at ACC’s Leander campus on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a health care apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees.Jennifer Waldron, a Continuing Education instructor at Austin Community College, shows students where to put the electrodes when doing an EKG at ACC’s Leander campus on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a healthcare apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees.Jack Myer for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/18/texas-schools-student-discipline-teacher-rights/The proposal aims to make working conditions safer for teachers but critics worry it could push the state’s most vulnerable students out of the classroom.By Sneha DeyTue, 18 Mar 2025 19:40:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/18/texas-schools-student-discipline-teacher-rights/The Texas House's Public Education Committee held a hearing Tuesday on House Bill 6, which would make it easier for schools to suspend students.Texas Rep. Jeff Leach delivers opening remarks and answers questions before the Public Education Committee regarding House Bill 6 relating to discipline in public schools in Austin on March 18, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/15/texas-school-funding-uncertified-teachers-shortage/Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.By Sneha DeySat, 15 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/15/texas-school-funding-uncertified-teachers-shortage/The Texas House's sweeping school funding bill would include limits on which classes uncertified instructors can teach and create pathways for them to get credentialed.A classroom in Texas.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/17/texas-health-nursing-apprenticeship-rio-grande-valley/South Texas College in McAllen launched one of the first registered nursing apprenticeships in the country as area hospitals expect the need for nurses to increase.By Sneha DeyMon, 17 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/17/texas-health-nursing-apprenticeship-rio-grande-valley/From left: students Victoria Zamora, Michael Hunter Maldonado and Emily Luna practice their skills on a mannequin during class at South Texas College in McAllen on Dec. 6, 2024.Students from left, Victoria Zamora, Michael Hunter Maldonado, and Emily Luna, practice their knowledge and skills on a manikin during class at a simulating hospital at South Texas College in McAllen, Texas on Dec. 6, 2024. Gabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas TribuneGabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/06/texas-higher-education-legislation/Legislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state.By Jessica Priest and Sneha DeyThu, 06 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/06/texas-higher-education-legislation/Students walked across the Texas State University campus in this file photo from 2018. Texas lawmakers may expand a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities during the 2025 legislative session.Students walk through Texas State University campus Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, in San Marcos, Texas.Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/04/texas-parenting-students/One in four Texas students is raising a child while getting a college degree. For Isabella Mapes, it has meant little sleep and, at times, a lonely journey.By Sneha DeyTue, 04 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/04/texas-parenting-students/Isabella Mapes, right, plays with her daughter Lila Smith, 1, at their home in San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. A quarter of Texas students are raising a child while working towards a degree.Isabella Marie Mapes, right, spends time with her daughter Lila Smith, 1, at home on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in San Antonio. Isabella Marie Mapes is a 22-year-old parent attending San Antonio College.Salgu Wissmath for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/hb8-texas-community-colleges-funding/Lawmakers will get a chance to revisit the funding system for community colleges — and maybe approve more money — this session.By Sneha DeyMon, 03 Feb 2025 12:13:56 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/hb8-texas-community-colleges-funding/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/alex-fairly-texas-republican-political-group/Alex Fairly is an Amarillo businessman and father of a state House member who has previously given millions to West Texas A&M University, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton.By Sneha DeyTue, 17 Dec 2024 18:05:21 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/alex-fairly-texas-republican-political-group/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/13/wynn-rosser-texas-higher-education/In his new role, Rosser will be responsible for helping Texas meet its goal to increase the number of Texans ages 25 to 34 with a postsecondary credential to 60% by 2030.By Sneha DeyFri, 13 Dec 2024 17:00:47 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/13/wynn-rosser-texas-higher-education/Wynn Rosser, photographed in 2015, introduced himself as the next public higher education chief Friday.Wynn Rosser, then CEO of the Greater Texas Foundation, during a symposium on higher education at Baylor University in 2015.Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune