K-12 Reporter

The Texas Tribune • Houston, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Tribune is seeking a K-12 reporter based in Houston to cover the transformative changes in public education across Texas and their impact on students. This reporter will collaborate with an Austin-based K-12 reporter and members of the education and data visual teams to report on how Texas is preparing children for the future. The role is being added at a critical time, with Texas potentially implementing the nation's largest school choice program, the state education agency taking over underperforming districts, and local administrators facing budget challenges due to inflation, stagnant state funding, enrollment drops, and property tax issues. The reporter will primarily focus on Houston and the surrounding region but will also cover statewide trends. The ideal candidate can tell stories through the experiences of children, parents, teachers, and communities, distilling complex education challenges and policies into accessible information. They are expected to respond urgently to breaking news, produce insightful analysis, and deliver compelling accountability stories. The role requires strong news judgment, a passion for in-person reporting, source building, data analysis, experimentation with storytelling formats, and collaboration with photo, data visuals, and audience teams. The reporter will monitor state leaders, including the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education, and cover education issues during legislative sessions and elections.

Requirements

• At least three years of journalism experience preferred
• An ability to break down complicated education policy
• Terrific news judgment
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• A passion and talent for jumping on breaking news
• Impeccable reporting, fact-checking and writing skills
• Experience reporting with data and spreadsheets
• A strong familiarity with journalistic ethics and libel law
• A desire and ability to collaborate with other colleagues

Nice To Haves

• Spanish-language proficiency preferred

Responsibilities

• Identifying and pitching breaking news, features and explainers
• Writing and updating stories on the news of the day
• Collaborating with other journalists across departments and formats
• Moderating panel discussions and representing the Tribune at public events
• Occasional travel and work on nights, weekends and holidays

Benefits

• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• A cellphone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave, plus four weeks of additional job protection
• 401(k) matching
• Support for professional training and attending industry conferences
• Remote work flexibility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees