COE In the News
The Office of Communications helps facilitate media interviews and provides timely information about the College of Education. Our faculty have a wide range of expertise in education and health and can provide context and insight on newsworthy happenings.
Archived Media Mentions
Recent Media Mentions
- Three revelations from The Takeover, an upcoming podcast about power, public education and Houston ISD
Houston Public Media
Dean Cathy Horn, who leads the UH Education Research Center, discusses the importance of district leaders reflecting on teacher turnover data.
Carrie Cutler, a clinical associate professor in the mathematics education program, discusses how children benefit from scheduling downtime during the summer.
- Two Katy ISD trustees who voted against transgender policy face opponents in re-election campaign
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses the politicization of school board races and how it started.
- Behind the scenes of Houston ISD teacher evaluation rollout: TEA called classroom observation approach ‘odd,’ liaison said training sessions ‘much larger than is recommended’
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses Houston ISD’s rollout of teacher performance evaluations.
- Houston ISD grapples with community backlash, educator confusion over new performance evaluation systems
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses the challenges of implementing reforms quickly.
- HISD's student enrollment keeps dropping. Here's what parents should know
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, an associate professor of educational leadership, discusses the challenges of recruiting families back from charter schools.
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership, notes that enrollment declines can generate difficult decisions about school closures.
- My child has an uncertified teacher in Houston ISD. Should I worry?
Houston Chronicle
Shea Culpepper, a clinical professor and director of teacher education, explains why the uncertified teacher situation is problematic and that it is not isolated to Houston ISD.
- Houston ISD has hired at least 830 uncertified teachers for 2023-24 school year
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Sam Brower, chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction and clinical professor of social studies education, shares that the teacher shortage is impacting districts’ ability to hire certified teachers.
- Houston ISD plans to add 500 pre-K seats by fall 2025 as demand grows for early childhood education
Houston Chronicle
Assistant Professor Xin Li shares that students benefit from pre-K in the short and long term.
- Houston ISD has almost 30,000 fewer students than before the pandemic. A controversial reform program could make the decline worse
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses whether the current changes in Houston ISD will add to decreases in enrollment.
- Most written responses on STAAR exams will be graded by a computer with new scoring process
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses how the Texas Education Agency needs to be transparent with parents and teachers about the new scoring process.
- HISD, other Houston-area schools see widespread performance drops in new Children at Risk rankings
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, discusses reasons to consider when analyzing a drop in test performance.
- Almost twice as many teachers resigned from Houston ISD so far this year compared to the last two school years
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, clinical assistant professor of educational leadership, explained why he expected teacher resignations to remain high amid the sweeping reforms.
- See who Mike Miles who has been talking to in his first 6 months at HISD
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, shares the importance of superintendents building relationships with state and local officials.
- Houston Matters (Nov. 30, 2023)
Houston Public Media/Houston Matters
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses how the state’s “district of innovation” designation hasn’t been applied as intended (starts around minute 11:12).
- HISD lost over 130 teachers in the first month of school, twice amount of last year, records show
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, says more time and data are needed to fully assess the consequences of teacher turnover in Houston ISD.
Sam Brower, chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction and clinical professor of social studies education, discusses the challenges of hiring amid a nationwide teacher shortage.
- Houston Matters (Nov. 28, 2023)
Houston Public Media/Houston Matters
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses causes and solutions for the teacher shortage in Houston ISD and other districts (starts around minute 11: 31).
- HISD wants exemptions from 7 education regulations under its 'DOI' plan. Here's why the rules exist.
Houston Chronicle
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, provides context for some of the state regulations, including a uniform school start date and educator certification.
- HISD teachers say English language learners struggle under 'one-size-fits-all' instruction
Houston Chronicle
Melissa Gallagher, an assistant professor who studies dual-language instruction, says teachers should be treated as professionals to appropriately differentiate instruction for students.
- Republicans are pushing for school choice. Their arguments are a throwback to the ’90s.
Texas Standard
Duncan Klussmann, clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and former Spring Branch ISD superintendent, discusses the lack of accountability with private school vouchers.
Melissa Gallagher, an assistant professor who studies dual-language instruction, said the 50-50 model is the best approach to support students learning English.
Duncan Klussmann, clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and a former superintendent, discusses the best way to evaluate the success of the New Education System in HISD with a focus on long-term impacts.
- Support for Houston ISD’s Spanish speakers has dwindled under state-appointed leader, parents say
The Texas Tribune
Duncan Klussmann, clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and a former superintendent, discusses the importance of customizing teaching to address the needs of individual students and families.