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.

Education News

UH Downtown Expands Food Scholarships So Students Don’t Go Hungry

Posted on May 20, 2019 · Since 2018, the Houston Food Bank has expanded its food scholarships and serves at least six colleges in the region.

In-Depth

This Teen Nearly Died In The Santa Fe School Shooting. Now She’s Just Trying To Live

Posted on May 17, 2019 · One year and seven surgeries after Sarah Salazar nearly died in her art classroom, she's still struggling to manage the deep physical and emotional trauma she suffered that day.

News

Santa Fe High School, Community Mark 1 Year Since Mass Shooting

Posted on May 17, 2019 · The day of remembrance will end with a message from a guest speaker, and a tree dedication in honor of the victims outside the school’s science wing.

In-Depth

“She Was Just Erased:” Widower Reflects One Year After The Shooting At Santa Fe High School

Posted on May 15, 2019 · "Every day is the same. You wake up feeling the same way every day. And, again, it doesn't get better."

Education News

Texas Is Bringing Back Cursive To Elementary Schools

Posted on April 29, 2019 · The new state learning standards reflect the growing science that backs the benefits of handwriting.

Education News

Houston High School’s Dress Code For Parents Draws Pushback

Posted on April 24, 2019 · The Texas Education Agency leaves it up to local school districts to set dress codes.

Education News

Houston School Board To Discuss “Agenda Items By Ambush”

Posted on April 11, 2019 · "That fact that some people feel ambushed is a sign that they're not communicating."

Education News

Coalition Of Parents, Students, Teachers Pushes Back Against Potential State Takeover Of Houston Schools

Posted on April 9, 2019 · While the TEA currently has the authority to take over HISD, the district's future won't be clear until after school ratings are released in August and the state investigation into board governance is finished.

Education News

Houston School Board Renews Controversial Charter School Contracts, Despite Questionable Finances

Posted on April 5, 2019 · In all, eight charter schools will continue serving 11,000 students and receive about $60 million in public funds next year.

Education News

How The Texas House School Finance Bill Could Shortchange Many Children Learning English

Posted on April 3, 2019 · House Bill 3 would pump $9 billion into the state’s public education system. But HB 3 doesn’t provide a significant funding boost for educating all English language learners -- that funding has been flat since the early 1980s.

Education News

Sandy Hook Moms To Santa Fe Families: “Feel What You Have To Feel”

Posted on March 29, 2019 · Before launching a national summit on school safety in Houston this week, two moms from the Sandy Hook school shooting met with a few families from Santa Fe.

Education News

State Conservator Orders Houston School Board To Suspend Its Superintendent Search

Posted on March 25, 2019 · The directive was sent to HISD on Monday and said all activities related to finding a new superintendent must stop until the Texas Education Agency "has completed its special accreditation investigation."

News

Advocacy Group Monitors Air Quality At Local Schools Because Of Deer Park Fire

Posted on March 22, 2019 · The petrochemical fire released a mix of volatile organic chemicals -- not just the cancer-linked benzene -- which react with sunlight to create ozone.

In-Depth

At Kashmere High, Principal’s Plan To Save Struggling School Starts With ‘Consistency’

Posted on March 13, 2019 · For nine years straight, Kashmere High School in Northeast Houston has been on the state’s list of failing schools. That’s the longest for any school in Texas.

Education News

How Texas School Finance Reform Could Erase Funding For ‘Gifted And Talented’ Students

Posted on March 11, 2019 · Some supporters of gifted and talented programs worry that the proposal will ultimately shortchange the state's brightest children.