Silas Allen
@silasallen.bsky.social
Education Lab reporter at the Dallas Morning News. Stroke survivor, Missourian, Mizzou alum. No sniveling.
Reposted by Silas Allen
4/ @dallasnews.com's @silasallen.bsky.social also quoted Dee Carney: "Regardless of your position on vouchers, there is nothing controversial about making it easier for Texans to see how $1 billion in taxpayer dollars is spent and what results they deliver.” #txed
bsky.app/profile/dall...
bsky.app/profile/dall...
Applications for Texas Education Freedom Accounts, the state’s new education savings account program, open Wednesday. The program is designed to give families public money to help offset the cost of private school tuition.
Applications open this week for Texas education savings accounts. Here’s what to know
Applications for Texas Education Freedom Accounts, the state’s new education savings account program, open Feb. 4,2026. Here’s what you need to know.
www.dallasnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:10 PM
4/ @dallasnews.com's @silasallen.bsky.social also quoted Dee Carney: "Regardless of your position on vouchers, there is nothing controversial about making it easier for Texans to see how $1 billion in taxpayer dollars is spent and what results they deliver.” #txed
bsky.app/profile/dall...
bsky.app/profile/dall...
Over the past few years, Texas has seen a huge uptick in uncertified teachers. Last year, lawmakers set a deadline for school districts to get their core subject teachers certified. I took a look at how it's going:
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
A challenge but ‘worth it’: Texas schools push to certify teachers even with extension
A new Texas law requires school districts to get novice educators certified. Here's a look at why and what one North Texas district is doing to meet that goal.
www.dallasnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Over the past few years, Texas has seen a huge uptick in uncertified teachers. Last year, lawmakers set a deadline for school districts to get their core subject teachers certified. I took a look at how it's going:
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Silas Allen
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
February 4, 2026 at 5:07 PM
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
Texas' education savings account app goes live tomorrow. Here's what you need to know about it.
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Applications open this week for Texas education savings accounts. Here’s what to know
Applications for Texas Education Freedom Accounts, the state’s new education savings account program, open Feb. 4,2026. Here’s what you need to know.
www.dallasnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Texas' education savings account app goes live tomorrow. Here's what you need to know about it.
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Silas Allen
The Education Writers Association is deeply alarmed by the arrests of journalists in connection with their reporting at an anti-ICE demonstration in Minnesota. We vigorously support First Amendment protections for the press and the public.
freedom.press/issues/fpf-s...
freedom.press/issues/fpf-s...
FPF statement on outrageous arrest of Don Lemon
If the Trump administration thinks it can bully journalists into submission, it is wrong
freedom.press
January 31, 2026 at 12:50 AM
The Education Writers Association is deeply alarmed by the arrests of journalists in connection with their reporting at an anti-ICE demonstration in Minnesota. We vigorously support First Amendment protections for the press and the public.
freedom.press/issues/fpf-s...
freedom.press/issues/fpf-s...
There needs to be a rule that, if you live in a place where it gets above 100 every day for a month and a half in the summer, it shouldn't get down to 8 in January.
www.dallasnews.com/news/weather...
www.dallasnews.com/news/weather...
Freezing temperatures are imminent: What you need to know about D-FW’s winter storm
If you haven’t done it already, Friday evening is likely your last chance to prepare for incoming winter weather.
www.dallasnews.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:14 AM
There needs to be a rule that, if you live in a place where it gets above 100 every day for a month and a half in the summer, it shouldn't get down to 8 in January.
www.dallasnews.com/news/weather...
www.dallasnews.com/news/weather...
Reposted by Silas Allen
KERA News has identified another man who died after a Tarrant County jailer knelt on him. The federal government has cautioned against kneeling on handcuffed people.
5 years before Anthony Johnson Jr.’s death, indicted guard watched another man get knelt on in jail
KERA News has identified another man who died after a Tarrant County jailer knelt on him. The federal government has cautioned against kneeling on handcuffed people.
kerane.ws
January 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM
KERA News has identified another man who died after a Tarrant County jailer knelt on him. The federal government has cautioned against kneeling on handcuffed people.
School districts across the DFW area have been dealing with a rash of hoax threats for the past couple of weeks. Experts say the impact of those threats is real, even if the threats themselves aren't. www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
As North Texas schools deal with a rash of hoax threats, experts say the effects are real
Hoax threats have disrupted school days across Dallas-Fort Worth over the last week. The immediate scare passes, but here's the damage it can do.
www.dallasnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:04 PM
School districts across the DFW area have been dealing with a rash of hoax threats for the past couple of weeks. Experts say the impact of those threats is real, even if the threats themselves aren't. www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Silas Allen
The agent, Jonathan Ross, was dragged by a vehicle and injured during a June operation in the Twin Cities, court records show.
ICE agent who fatally shot woman in Minneapolis is identified
Jonathan Ross, a Minnesota-based agent, was dragged in a separate incident last year by a fleeing motorist.
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 7:04 PM
The agent, Jonathan Ross, was dragged by a vehicle and injured during a June operation in the Twin Cities, court records show.
Education reporters! Apply for my old job! Fort Worth is a fun city, and there's plenty of school news going on, to say the least. DM with questions.
mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net/MCC1008MCLTC...
mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net/MCC1008MCLTC...
mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net
January 8, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Education reporters! Apply for my old job! Fort Worth is a fun city, and there's plenty of school news going on, to say the least. DM with questions.
mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net/MCC1008MCLTC...
mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net/MCC1008MCLTC...
After Charlie Kirk's death, the Texas ed commissioner vowed to go after the teaching certificates of teachers over comments they made on social media. Now, @texasaft.org is suing. First byline in @dallasnews.com:
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Texas AFT sues TEA over investigations of teachers linked to Kirk assassination comments
The Texas AFT is suing the Texas Education Agency over a series of investigations the agency launched over teachers’ comments on social media after the death...
www.dallasnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:48 PM
After Charlie Kirk's death, the Texas ed commissioner vowed to go after the teaching certificates of teachers over comments they made on social media. Now, @texasaft.org is suing. First byline in @dallasnews.com:
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Silas Allen
Hundreds of people applied to serve on Fort Worth ISD’s state takeover board. Here’s a look at who they are.
Here’s who applied to serve on Fort Worth ISD’s state-appointed school board
Hundreds of people applied to serve on Fort Worth ISD’s state takeover board. Here’s a look at who they are.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Hundreds of people applied to serve on Fort Worth ISD’s state takeover board. Here’s a look at who they are.
Reposted by Silas Allen
"The stories Lizza and Nuzzi tell give you the extremely wrong idea of what it means to be a journalist. We, despite what every Hollywood property from 'House of Cards' to 'The West Wing' would have you believe, do not date our sources... We’re not rich, guys." www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/1...
Column | The dueling narratives of Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza
Olivia Nuzzi’s relationship with RFK Jr. is detailed in her book, American Canto. Ex-fiance Ryan Lizza now alleges she also had an affair with Mark Sanford.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:08 PM
"The stories Lizza and Nuzzi tell give you the extremely wrong idea of what it means to be a journalist. We, despite what every Hollywood property from 'House of Cards' to 'The West Wing' would have you believe, do not date our sources... We’re not rich, guys." www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/1...
When the Texas Education Agency announced plans to take over the Fort Worth school district, parents said they were worried teachers here would have to use the same kinds of prepackaged, scripted lessons like we saw in Houston. Teachers say they're already here. www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Fort Worth ISD’s new guidelines ask teachers to work from rigid scripts
Parents worried that a state takeover would bring Houston ISD-style scripted lessons to Fort Worth ISD. Teachers say they’re already here.
www.star-telegram.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
When the Texas Education Agency announced plans to take over the Fort Worth school district, parents said they were worried teachers here would have to use the same kinds of prepackaged, scripted lessons like we saw in Houston. Teachers say they're already here. www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Silas Allen
"Otter is down, but will be back online shortly"
Every journalist:
Every journalist:
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
"Otter is down, but will be back online shortly"
Every journalist:
Every journalist:
With the state takeover process getting started in Fort Worth ISD, I talked to parents and students in Houston about what the intervention was like there, an what to expect here. All of them said they were worried for Fort Worth. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
‘Scared for Fort Worth’: As FWISD takeover looms, Houston families share concern
A state takeover of Fort Worth ISD would be the second largest in state history. Parents and students in Houston share their experience.
www.star-telegram.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
With the state takeover process getting started in Fort Worth ISD, I talked to parents and students in Houston about what the intervention was like there, an what to expect here. All of them said they were worried for Fort Worth. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
This has been an incredible series to watch, unless you're a fan of either of these teams, in which case I suspect you aren't having very much fun at all.
November 2, 2025 at 3:57 AM
This has been an incredible series to watch, unless you're a fan of either of these teams, in which case I suspect you aren't having very much fun at all.
Reposted by Silas Allen
There's fortitude.... then there's mossing your teammate at the track in the bottom of the 9th of game 7 in the World Series after coming in the game 9 pitches ago
November 2, 2025 at 3:41 AM
There's fortitude.... then there's mossing your teammate at the track in the bottom of the 9th of game 7 in the World Series after coming in the game 9 pitches ago
The Texas Education Agency is taking over Fort Worth ISD. It's the second-biggest district takeover in the state's history.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
State will take over Fort Worth ISD, replace school board, commissioner says
Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced the takeover Thursday morning, which comes after one school received five straight F ratings.
www.star-telegram.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The Texas Education Agency is taking over Fort Worth ISD. It's the second-biggest district takeover in the state's history.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
The number of teachers who use AI in the classroom is growing fast, both in Texas and across the country. But school districts are struggling to keep up. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
More teachers use AI in the classroom. Texas school leaders say they need a plan
More than half of Texas teachers use AI in the classroom, a new report shows. But they often don’t have any training on how to use it well.
www.star-telegram.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The number of teachers who use AI in the classroom is growing fast, both in Texas and across the country. But school districts are struggling to keep up. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Silas Allen
Here's what we know about today's mass layoffs
More Education Dept. Employees Fired (and HHS employees in these shutdown-related layoffs, though we don't know whether any were at NIH. If you know, please DM me or email ryan.quinn@insidehighered.com )
Trump Fires More Education Dept. Employees
The Trump administration threatened to lay off federal workers because of the government shutdown. An unspecified number of employees got pink slips Friday.
www.insidehighered.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Here's what we know about today's mass layoffs
It's been five years since school shutdowns ended, and districts are still dealing with chronic absenteeism. I talked to officials in the Fort Worth school district about why it's such a challenge and what they're doing about it. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Too many kids are missing school in Fort Worth. District says it has a plan
Five years after the end of school shutdowns, too many kids still miss too much school. FWISD officials say they have a plan to help.
www.star-telegram.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
It's been five years since school shutdowns ended, and districts are still dealing with chronic absenteeism. I talked to officials in the Fort Worth school district about why it's such a challenge and what they're doing about it. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
How will the government shutdown affect schools? Depends on how long it lasts. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Texas schools could face challenges due to government shutdown. Here’s why
If the shutdown lasts more than a few days, the problems could grow.
www.star-telegram.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
How will the government shutdown affect schools? Depends on how long it lasts. Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Texas is going after teachers who celebrated the death of Charlie Kirk. Can they do that?
Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Can teachers really be fired for social media posts about Charlie Kirk? What to know
After Charlie Kirk’s death, the TEA warned teachers about “reprehensible” posts. What does free speech allow?
www.star-telegram.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Texas is going after teachers who celebrated the death of Charlie Kirk. Can they do that?
Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Gift link:
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Silas Allen
The district is grappling with limited funds and declining enrollment, but officials say no decisions have been made about closures.
Grapevine-Colleyville parents worried about possible school closures
The district is grappling with limited funds and declining enrollment, but officials say no decisions have been made about closures.
bit.ly
September 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The district is grappling with limited funds and declining enrollment, but officials say no decisions have been made about closures.