Texas Education Reporter
About The Position
The Houston Chronicle is seeking a sharp, well-sourced reporter based in Austin to cover statewide education — with a particular focus on how Texas schools are changing, who is driving those changes and whether students and families are being well served. This reporter will explain how the state funds and regulates schools, sets academic standards and wields power to influence local education systems. A central focus of the beat will be the state’s massive private school voucher rollout, including how the program is implemented, who benefits, what the taxpayer dollars are funding and what it means for traditional public schools, charter schools and families navigating the system. The reporter will also cover political campaigns, legislative sessions and statewide policy debates through the lens of education, examining how lawmakers and state officials are shaping the future of schools in Texas. This role will work collaboratively with local education reporters in Houston, Austin and San Antonio to connect statewide policy decisions to deliver accountability journalism and practical, reader-first coverage. Texas is home to some of the country’s biggest and most consequential education fights. The ideal candidate is deeply curious about policy and power, understands how to translate complex systems into compelling journalism, and is energized by connecting statewide decisions to real-world impact.
Requirements
- Has 3+ years of reporting experience, with a strong preference for education, statehouse or accountability reporting
- Is based in Austin or willing to relocate, with a strong understanding of Texas politics and policy
- Is driven to break news and develop original reporting on a competitive, high-impact beat
- Has a strong track record of building sources and delivering scoops
- Understands how policy decisions translate into real-world consequences for families, schools and communities
- Writes with clarity and authority, helping readers make sense of complex education systems and high-stakes policy changes
- Values both accountability journalism and utility reporting, with a strong instinct for what readers need to know
Responsibilities
- Cover the Texas Legislature, Texas Education Agency and other state entities shaping education policy and oversight
- Lead coverage of Texas’ voucher program, including implementation, funding, accountability, political influence and impact on public schools and families
- Cover campaigns, legislative sessions and statewide political debates through the lens of education policy and public schools
- Report on how state funding formulas, mandates and policy decisions affect districts, teacher pay, staffing, curriculum and student experiences across Texas
- Examine how the state uses accountability systems, interventions and oversight powers to influence local district governance and autonomy
- Track the political, financial and ideological forces shaping education policy in Texas and the state’s growing influence on national education debates
- Produce a mix of breaking news, accountability reporting, enterprise and explanatory journalism
- Collaborate closely with local education reporters in Houston, Austin and San Antonio to identify statewide trends and local impact
- Build sourcing across urban, suburban and rural communities, including educators, parents, students, policymakers, advocates and researchers
- Use data, public records and budget documents to identify trends, inequities and areas of impact
- Collaborate with visuals, audience, data and investigative teams to maximize reach and impact
- Identify opportunities for audience growth and subscriber value through distinctive statewide education coverage
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
