Latest News from Austin Journal

Austin ISD families and community members can now obtain free cable-style gun locks to ensure safe gun storage at home through a partnership with Project ChildSafe.

Education

Audit reveals Austin ISD's higher per-student spending compared to peer districts

By Austin Journal | Sep 12, 2024

A new audit of Austin ISD finances shows the district spends more per student than the statewide average and peer districts in Texas.

Education

Maestro en Casa marks decade with upgraded curriculum and laptop distribution

By Austin Journal | Sep 5, 2024

Maestro en Casa is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an enhanced curriculum and a laptop giveaway. This year, the program will include computer skills in its classes to help parents learn basic English for navigating American situations and systems.

Education

District begins annual teacher reassignment process

By Austin Journal | Sep 5, 2024

This week, the district will begin its annual process of moving teachers to where they are most needed. This process, often referred to as leveling, aims to balance class sizes across campuses and the district.

Education

University of Texas launches undergraduate robotics honors program

By Austin Journal | Sep 5, 2024

The University of Texas at Austin has introduced what is believed to be the first undergraduate robotics program in the country that allows high school students to apply directly as part of their freshman admissions application. The honors program will integrate students as soon as they arrive on campus into the immersive and interdisciplinary curriculum, which includes hands-on research, engineering and computer science coursework, and participation in UT’s top-ranked Texas Robotics’ events and programs.

Education

How to verify your voter registration before Election Day

By Austin Journal | Sep 5, 2024

It’s a significant year for Austin ISD on the ballot with key issues up for a vote on Election Day. Ensuring voter registration is up-to-date is essential for participating in elections.

Education

District leaders seek community support for closing $78 million deficit

By Austin Journal | Sep 4, 2024

The newly formed ad-hoc budget committee met Tuesday to continue discussions on how to save money and generate revenue as the district grapples with a $78 million deficit.

Education

Newly discovered antibody neutralizes all known COVID-19 variants

By Austin Journal | Sep 3, 2024

Researchers have discovered an antibody able to neutralize all known variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as distantly related SARS-like coronaviruses that infect other animals.

Education

Austin ISD receives $15M grant for expanding solar panel program

By Austin Journal | Sep 3, 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Austin ISD as one of the first school districts in Texas to receive a federal grant from the Renew America’s Schools Grant program.

Education

Kealing Middle School receives support after fire delays start

By Austin Journal | Aug 30, 2024

Kealing Middle School celebrated its first day of school on August 26, one week after fire damage prevented the school from opening on the district-wide first day.

Education

Austin ISD implements anti-vaping education as part of innovation plan

By Austin Journal | Aug 29, 2024

Students will undergo an anti-vaping course if they are found with a nicotine/tobacco e-cigarette on campus, in alignment with Austin ISD’s District of Innovation Plan.

Education

Manor ISD announces Prop A community meetings in September and October

By Austin Journal | Aug 29, 2024

The Manor ISD community is invited to learn more about Proposition A and its impact on staff and scholars during in-person and virtual community meetings scheduled for September and October. Proposition A, which will be on the ballot for the November 5 election, proposes a lower tax rate, increases in staff salaries, and additional benefits if passed.

Education

Study links lower levels of loneliness to face-to-face interactions among elderly

By Austin Journal | Aug 28, 2024

In-person contact helps lead to lower levels of loneliness in older people, but other ways of staying in touch, such as phoning, emailing or texting, are not as effective in lowering loneliness, a team of researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan have found.

Education

Study reveals microbial origins behind human immune defenses

By Austin Journal | Aug 21, 2024

When you get infected with a virus, some of the first weapons your body deploys to fight it were passed down from microbial ancestors billions of years ago. According to new research from The University of Texas at Austin, two key elements of our innate immune system came from a group of microbes called Asgard archaea.

Education

Austin ISD trustees approve November tax rate election to increase school funding

By Austin Journal | Aug 20, 2024

The Board of Trustees on Monday voted to put a tax rate election on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Education

University launches new school focused on civic leadership

By Austin Journal | Aug 19, 2024

The University of Texas at Austin's School of Civic Leadership is now accepting applications for its inaugural class, set to enroll in Fall 2025. This institution is among the first in a growing number of civics-focused colleges, institutes, and initiatives launched at public universities across the United States. The goal is to prepare students for civic responsibility through the study of America’s founding principles, economic foundations, and history.

Education

Travis County judge blocks Texas school district accountability ratings

By Austin Journal | Aug 16, 2024

The latest accountability ratings, originally slated to be released on Aug. 15, have been blocked for the second year in a row after a Travis County judge issued a temporary restraining order in a new lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency (TEA).