What BCBSTX learned from Hurricane Harvey insurance claims
Data paints instructive healthcare picture for post-storm discussion
More Columns
Students aren't the only beneficiaries of dual credit education
Studies confirm the positive gains made by students who have access to college credit in high school. Data reveal that students’ exposure to even one dual credit course improves student outcomes in college. These gains aren’t difficult to find, especially if you look closely at the outcomes data or hear the stories from students who have personally experienced dual credit.
Dual credit programs are good for Texas, but need improvement
While the benefits of well-designed and well-implemented dual credit programs were well recognized, little was known about how the programs were changing during this rapid expansion and what differences those changes were making for student learning. Overall, our study suggests that dual credit education has been a benefit to the state of Texas.
Changes coming — or already here — in a school district near you
With its districts of innovation, Texas has undertaken a massive experiment in education. Allowing districts to compete on a level playing field with charters and allowing flexibility for districts that face different challenges holds the potential to improving student achievement. However, it also could remove key safeguards designed to protect students and improve educational outcomes.
Time for a Texas-style sanction against Russia
As someone who stands for free and fair elections, and for the liberty of every Texan, I’m troubled by what I saw and learned in Russia, and by what I continue to see today. My message to the Russian officials was: “Don’t mess with Texas elections!” Now, I’m planning to enforce that mantra.
Texas must address rural hospital closures
Texas leads the nation in hospital closures, with 15 since 2013 and they have all been rural. Part of the reason is geography. Texas is huge and still has more than 150 rural hospitals. But factors like declining volume, demographics (rural populations are generally older, poorer, sicker and less educated — not a recipe for success), leadership and policy are also in play.
A Harvey civics lesson for Texas lawmakers
We will always count on the resilience of the Texas spirit in hard times. As Hurricane Harvey taught us, though, Texans must also be able to count on public infrastructure and investments — to help us recover from disasters and to ensure a prosperous future for all Texans.
State officials should answer for the quality of Texas public schools
Researchers find that policies like grading schools based on academic performance measured by state assessments motivates cheating, teaching to the test, costly teacher and principal turnover, and a sense of “forced failure” in low-income communities. So why enact a system that has such harmful effects?
U.S. immigration politics don’t sync with American ideals
I believe it would be a privilege for the United States to accept these brave migrants — the men, women and children who have encountered rape, assault, robbery, miles of walking — all for the chance of being able to live and work here. They show up to the door of Casanicolás gentle, kind and grateful. What more could our nation ask of its potential citizens?
Texas homeowners are earning extra income renting to travelers
Vacation rental leader VRBO reports some Texas rentals are making up to $5,400 per month.
Six Texas races could determine whether Democrats flip the House
Control of the U.S. House hangs in the balance of the outcome of dozens of races across the country, including a half dozen in Texas.
I'm a Catholic survivor of abuse. I still want to hear the church say it's sorry.
I pray our priests will give up their defenses. I pray they will humble themselves. I pray they will say the words: “I’m sorry. What have I done? What can I do to help you now?” Right now, that is all this child wants to hear.
A tale of two communities – people and fish – recovering from Harvey
Hurricanes are a reality of coastal life, and people are now part of that coastal ecosystem. If we are to live and thrive on our coastal margins we have understand and adapt to that reality and secure the capital needed to plan for our resilient future. We have a lot to learn from the fishes.
UT lawyers say professors don’t have academic freedom
For educators like me, academic freedom means the right to speak freely in a classroom, to say things that elsewhere are not open for discussion. Our constitutional freedom of speech is often legally limited in private workplaces. But not in public universities, until now: Lawyers representing UT-Austin claim that professors don’t have any constitutional right to academic freedom.
Back to school: Times have changed
We teach our children that to be successful you have to study hard, do well in school, and go on to college or learn a trade, and you will live a happy life. But what are we teaching them if our teachers are too poor to live?
Patients need to know what a true emergency is before going to the ER
At least one out of every three patients who visit an emergency room does not have a true emergency. As a result, ERs become overcrowded, physicians have difficulty seeing patients with real emergencies quickly, and hospitals can become so clogged that ambulances must be diverted, potentially leading to deaths. Moreover, unnecessary overuse of the ER is a contributor to soaring health care costs.
Dual credit programs deserve an honest look from Texas educators
Last month, a study made headlines with negative news about a popular program known as dual credit. In fact, the preponderance of scientific evidence supports dual credit.
Disease knows no political party
Texas Republican primary voters have a clear message for policymakers: They support vaccines and the power to prevent disease before it starts. Just like most Texans — regardless of political belief — they believe in vaccines.
Dallas DA must treat kids like kids
Decisions to transfer youth to adult court should never be driven by politics or public pressure. Young people who come into contact with the legal system during their childhood and adolescence are more likely to lead successful lives and promote community safety when the juvenile justice system responds than when they are transferred to the adult criminal justice system.
Revoke my security clearance, too, Mr. President
I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.