Laura Isensee

Education Reporter

Laura Isensee covers education for Houston Public Media, including K-12 and higher education. Previously, she was a staff reporter at The Miami Herald and contributed to South Florida’s NPR affiliate. Her work has also appeared in The Dallas Morning News, Reuters and Clarín in Argentina. Laura has won awards for her work in print and radio, including best specialty/beat reporting from the Texas AP Broadcasters Association in 2014.

A native Houstonian, Laura graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Spanish and Plan II, a liberal arts honors program. She earned her master’s in journalism from Columbia University. Her radio stories have aired on national programs, such as NPR’s All Things Considered and Here & Now. She enjoys dancing, biking and exploring new places. You can follow her @lauraisensee on Twitter.

Coronavirus

Coronavirus In Greater Houston: City Will Begin Issuing Citations For People Who Refuse To Wear Face Coverings

Posted on August 3, 2020 · After 22 weeks, the virus is still surging in the Greater Houston region.

Education News

HISD To Begin Ambitious Study On Districtwide Inequity

Posted on July 27, 2020 · The goal is for the equity project to guide critical decisions for HISD administrators and the school board.

Education News

Texas Students Suspended Over Dreadlocks Continue Fight Against Barbers Hill School District

Posted on July 21, 2020 · The district's grooming policy and discipline sparked national attention, as the students and many advocates called it an example of hair discrimination.

News

Report: Texas Leads Country With Widest Digital Divide For Students, Teachers

Posted on July 9, 2020 · The nonprofit Common Sense found that 34% or 1.8 million K-12 public school students in Texas do not have adequate access to the internet at home, and that 25% of Texas' kids do not have an adequate device at home like a laptop or a computer.

Education News

Students Push Texas State Board Of Education To Adopt Anti-Racist Curriculum

Posted on July 2, 2020 · 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.

Education News

Texas Teachers Consider Leaving The Classroom Over COVID-19 Fears

Posted on June 30, 2020 · The Association of Texas Professional Educators recently surveyed some 4,200 educators. About 60% said they were concerned about their health and safety heading into the 2020-21 school year.

Education News

As COVID-19 Strains School Budgets, Texas’ Historic Education Cuts Give Lessons

Posted on June 18, 2020 · In Texas, many school leaders are scraping by as they approve budgets for next school year. But they’re worried about what comes next and some remember lessons from 2011, the last time Texas schools found themselves in the crosshairs of a recession.

News

George Floyd’s 2nd Grade Teacher Remembers ‘A Happy Boy’ With Big Dreams

Posted on June 9, 2020 · Floyd's second grade teacher, Waynel Sexton, said she remembers an 8-year-old boy inspired by the work and legacy of Thurgood Marshall.

Education News

Advocates Urge HISD To Disband School Police Force

Posted on June 8, 2020 · 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.

Education News

5 Ways Summer Camp At The YMCA Is Adapting To COVID

Posted on June 8, 2020 · The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released guidance for summer camps, such as keeping campers in small groups and regular cleaning.

News

Houston-Area Youth Join Calls For Justice With Protests, Dialogue

Posted on June 6, 2020 · Thousands of people in Houston have called for justice for George Floyd's death while in police custody. For some young people in Houston, that means restorative justice.

Education News

Prairie View A&M Plans New Center For Race And Justice Following George Floyd’s Death

Posted on June 3, 2020 · University President Ruth Simmons also wants to require all incoming students to study race and class throughout U.S. history.

Education News

Some Of The Class Of 2020 Head To Graduation At The Drive-In

Posted on May 26, 2020 · High schools across Greater Houston and the country have had to find new ways to honor the Class of 2020 amid the pandemic and the threat of the coronavirus. Gov. Greg Abbott has banned in-door graduation ceremonies.

Education News

Texas Teachers Overcome Physical Distance, Digital Divide To Stay Connected With Students

Posted on May 25, 2020 · Many teachers feel a strong sense of responsibliity to connect with their students in personalized ways to keep them from falling off the radar. Many public school districts, including Houston and San Antonio, have lost touch with thousands of studentS since the pandemic sent everyone home to learn remotely.

News

K-12 Educators Begin To Map Out The New School Year

Posted on May 14, 2020 · Proposed safety measures -- like smaller classes and more cleaning -- cost more. But revenues are down, especially in Texas where the state relies on oil and gas revenue and sales taxes to fund its share of schools’ budget.