Laura Isensee
Houston Public Media
Houston, TX, United States
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Past articles by Laura:
Interim Houston ISD Superintendent Announces She’s Leaving The School District
Lathan has acted as interim superintendent for the state's largest school district for the last three years, since the previous leader Richard Carranza left abruptly for New York City in March 2018. → Read More
UPDATE: Amid Electric Grid Woes, Lina Hidalgo Warns Harris County To ‘Assume The Worst’ In Coming Days
Millions of Texans woke up still without power Tuesday, as an arctic blast continues to bring freezing temperatures across the state. → Read More
Report: Texas Schools Still Forcibly Restrain Students Too Often
The advocacy group Disability Rights Texas examined statewide data and found that students with disabilities and Black students are physically restrained by educators at disproportionately high rates. → Read More
Houston Teachers Stage Sick-Out Protest To Demand Better COVID-19 Protocols
Among their demands are capping class sizes at 15 students with six feet of social distancing required, and serving meals outside or in large, well-ventilated areas. → Read More
In Bilingual Classrooms, Teachers Are Anxious To Build Relationships, Close Digital Divide
Even before COVID-19, new teachers knew their first year in the classroom might be survival mode. The pandemic has added lots of challenges, and new teachers in bilingual education are anxious to connect with their students. → Read More
Here Are The Houston-Area Schools Closed By Hurricane Laura
Independent school districts, charter schools, colleges and univerities closed in the Houston area due to Hurricane Laura. → Read More
Survey: COVID-19 Hurts Latino Children’s Mental Health, Learning
The advocacy group Latinos for Education surveyed over 300 Spanish-speaking, low-income Latino families in Greater Houston. Asking open-ended questions, they found that parents are concerned about a range of issues, including their children's mental health, learning loss and the quality of virtual school. → Read More
Most Teachers Concerned About In-Person School; 2 In 3 Want To Start The Year Online
A new national poll of teachers from NPR/Ipsos finds broad trepidation about returning to the classroom, with 77% of those surveyed worried about risking their own health. → Read More
Coronavirus In Greater Houston: City Will Begin Issuing Citations For People Who Refuse To Wear Face Coverings
After 22 weeks, the virus is still surging in the Greater Houston region. → Read More
Students Push Texas State Board Of Education To Adopt Anti-Racist Curriculum
While Texas' textbooks have long drawn controversy for their learning standards, more young people want to see the state's education leaders adopt an anti-racist curriculum instead. → Read More
Advocates Urge HISD To Disband School Police Force
The demand in Houston echoes calls around the country to defund police. Already, Minneapolis and Portland schools have decided to sever ties with their city police departments. → Read More
5 Ways Higher Ed Could Change In The Fall
Expect a new normal with social distancing, at least some remote learning and increased financial pressure at higher ed institutions. → Read More
Graduation Experience Goes Virtual For 2020 Houston Seniors Amid COVID-19
Social media groups have popped up in Greater Houston, Texas and other parts of the country to give financial and emotional support to seniors graduating high school during the pandemic. → Read More
Coronavirus In Greater Houston: Governor To Announce Plans For Reopening Texas Businesses
As Houston enters its eighth week dealing with the coronavirus, Houston Public Media provides more live updates. → Read More
In Houston, Coronavirus Tests A City Known For Its Resilience
Houston's endured the oil bust of the 1980's, multiple massive floods and the betrayal many felt when the Houston Astros were caught cheating. But the novel coronavirus has unnerved even residents who've weathered other disasters. → Read More
Religion In Quarantine: How Faith Groups Are Adapting To The Coronavirus
First social distancing and now the region's "stay at home" order have forced local churches, synagogues and other religions to rethink how they practice their faith. → Read More
When Texas Schools Close, How Do Vulnerable Kids Get Their School Lunch?
As the rising number of COVID-19 cases rises in the region, a slew of local school districts have closed. And now they need to figure out how to deliver meals to vulnerable students. → Read More
Coronavirus Update: School, Higher Ed Closings And Cancellations
Many Houston-area school districts, private schools and institutions of higher education are taking steps to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the region. → Read More
Two Houston School Board Incumbents Seek Reelection, Two Others Step Down
Despite the threat of a state takeover, the Houston school board elections will move forward. → Read More
Why The Largest Charter School Network in Texas Is Coming To Houston
For years, IDEA Public Schools has been the darling of both private philanthropy and federal grant administrators, winning $117 million earlier this year, the largest federal grant ever for charter school expansion. → Read More