Latest News
Stanford pediatrician lays out guidelines for safe school reopenings
From Lone Star Standard
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the familiar back-to-school ritual this fall as schools around the United States and across the globe mull whether to offer in-person education, remote learning or a hybrid of both.
Houston teacher, mom wants political infighting over school kids to end
From Houston Republic
Tyra Hodges, a teacher and a mom in Houston, Texas, wants public officials to stop playing politics with kids over whether they return to school in the classroom.
Pilot Point district reopens in-person classes without a COVID-19 case
From North Texas News
When the first day of school arrived on Aug. 13, after board members voted to reopen live classrooms, Pilot Point Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Todd Southard did not know what to expect from his team's efforts to keep students, teachers and staff safe from COVID-19.
Houston-area superintendents try to sway health department away from school closures
From Houston Republic
Superintendents from 10 Houston-area school districts wrote a letter last month to Harris County Health Department Executive Director Dr. Umair Shah, expressing their concerns over remote learning in schools and suggesting that continuing to delay in-person teaching will harm students.
Schools around the world are cautiously reopening their doors
From Business Daily
The United States is beginning to investigate and experiment with reopening schools despite the continued presence of COVID-19, following in the steps of 20 other countries that have already done so, the Heritage Foundation is reporting.
Author Berenson advocates for school reopenings – 'Don't shut down society'
From Lone Star Standard
As much of the nation considers reopening its schools, author Alex Berenson, a former New York Times reporter, recently told Fox News that resuming in-person education is the right choice and not as risky as some believe.
CDC: Depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts climb in COVID era
From Houston Republic
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the isolation and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic hardships are fueling a mental health crisis including suicide and depression.
National Academies report underscores developmental risks of school closures
From Dallas City Wire
A recent report claims that schools should prioritize full-time reopening, especially for grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, and for special needs students as the risks to children without in-person learning will result in long-term negative consequences.
Pandemic's economic impact pushing Austin's music scene to the brink
From Austin News
Austin businesses are facing permanent impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a recent survey showing that 90% of all of the city's live music venues will likely close by the fall if no economic changes are made.
More Texas families make homeschooling their new norm
From Lone Star Standard
Homeschooling is on the rise in Texas.
Liberty Hill mom advocates for in-school learning
From Lone Star Standard
Tricia Richards and her sons are in agreement: They want Texas schools to resume in-person education.
Resurgence of COVID-19 cases deals another blow to Texas economy
From Business Daily
Despite the Texas economy recovering from the initial COVID-19 pandemic disruptions during May and June, July saw a resurgence of coronavirus cases and the economy has taken another hit.
Texas teachers unions hold their ground on school-reopening debate
From Education Daily Wire
Parents, teachers, school boards and other groups throughout Texas all have opinions about how, when and why schools should or should not reopen for in-person learning while the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat.
Texas economist explains benefits of Trump's executive orders for COVID-19 unemployment relief
From Lone Star Standard
President Donald J. Trump recently signed four executive actions in response to a congressional stalemate on the next round of COVID-19 relief, drawing praise from a Texas economist.
Austin public policy analyst and mother of three lauds benefits of in-person education
From Lone Star Standard
One person who is staunchly in favor of schools resuming in-person teaching is former Austin City Council member – and mother of three children – Ellen Troxclair.
Parents, teachers' groups express safety concerns over school reopening policies
From Lone Star Standard
Parents around the nation are worried about sending their children back to school for in-class instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44% of them would prefer that schools provide a mix of online and in-person classes, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll conducted between in July.
Texas Restaurant Association creates survival plan to help industry navigate COVID-19 pandemic
From Texas Business Daily
The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) is taking action to help the food-service industry survive the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which the TRA says could wipe out up to 30% of the state's restaurants.
In-person teaching 'is in the public health interest,' CDC director says
From Austin News
Reopening schools for in-person instruction in Texas and nationwide has been a hotly debated issue, but the Centers for Disease Control believes it is the best course of action for students despite the continued presence of COVID-19.
Pandemic's shakeup of educational norms may invite innovation, expert says
From Business Daily
The closing of schools that was the basis for the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown was not entirely necessary, according to a subject matter expert from the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER).
Cuomo paves way for in-person instruction in New York school districts
From Empire State Today
New York's Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced that schools in his state can reopen for in-person classes in September, while many of his Democratic colleagues across the country are instead opting for remote learning due to safety concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic.