Huston-Tillotson 2022 Spring Semester to being virtually due to COVID
Classes will begin remotely on Monday, January 10 due to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the City of Austin's return to Stage 4 of its COVID-19 Risk-Based Guidelines.
Austin ISD offers COVID testing as students return to school
Central Texas schools are preparing for students to return amid a COVID surge.
Texas State temporarily moves spring classes online because of COVID
Face-to-face instruction for all Texas State University courses will resume on January 31, 2022, according to President Denise M. Trauth. No classes are being canceled.
Austin ISD releases new COVID-19 guidelines for 2022 spring semester
The Austin Independent School District has updated its coronavirus protocols for the spring semester because of the omicron variant.
Texas investing additional $123.3M in federal funds in education
This distribution brings the total to more than $362 million in funding for higher education and $67.5 million for public education since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
FDA expands Pfizer COVID booster, 3rd dose available for 16 and 17 years olds
The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters, opening a third dose of Pfizer's vaccine to people as young as age 16.
Texas' ban on mask mandates in public schools back in place after federal appeals court ruling
A federal appellate court has temporarily restored Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order prohibiting mask mandates in schools.
Federal judge overrules Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on masks in schools
The judge said the governor's order impedes children with disabilities from the benefits of public schools’ programs, services and activities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Schools playing major role in youth vaccination effort
Many elementary schools around the U.S. are preparing to offer COVID-19 shots that educators see as key to keeping students learning in person and making the classroom experience closer to what it once was.
CDC to continue recommending masks in all schools, Walensky says
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said officials will “continue to recommend masks in all schools for all people in those schools.” The reason: time.
Voters to consider $772M Leander ISD bond in November election
The $772.2 million bond includes projects such as new school construction, technology updates and aging school improvements.
Austin ISD begins pooled testing at Ridgetop Elementary School
According to Austin ISD, pooled testing is a new method where students from the same class put their swabs into one testing vial.
Texas students lost decade's worth of learning progress during pandemic, TEA says
The TEA commissioner warned the state’s learning loss could reduce lifetime earnings for Texas students, costing the Texas economy an estimated $2 trillion. But there is some positive outlook on the horizon.
DOJ argues Texas ban on mask mandates violates disabled students’ rights
Plaintiffs say Abbott’s order denies children with disabilities, who are at a high risk of illness and death from the coronavirus, access to public education.
Hays CISD moving forward with air purifier installation
Hays Consolidated Independent School District school board approved over 4 million dollars for the district to install air purifiers in classrooms.
Richardson ISD teacher, student die from COVID-19 complications
Sha’Niyah “Nienie” McGee, a junior at Berkner High School, and Eroletta Piascyk, a teacher at the Christa McAuliffe Learning Center, both died from COVID-19 complications.
COVID-19 risk among kids increased amid delta, start of school year, AAP warns
The COVID-19 risk among children has increased amid the delta variant and the start of the school year, a pediatricians group said.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children likely won't be available until November
It is possible that, depending on how quickly the FDA offers approval, the shots could become available earlier in November, according to one official.
COVID-19 cases higher in schools without mask policies, CDC studies show
The studies found that school districts without a universal masking policy in place were more likely to have COVID-19 outbreaks.
COVID-19 creates dire US shortage of teachers, school staff
Public schools have struggled for years with teacher shortages, particularly in math, science, special education and languages. But the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the problem.