COE in the News
The Office of Communications helps facilitate media interviews and provides timely information about the University of Houston College of Education. Our faculty are available to provide expert insight and context on a wide range of education and health topics.
For news prior to the current year, see Archived Media Mentions.
Recent Media Mentions
- HISD launches new 'Virtual Launchpad' program
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Associate Professor Virginia Snodgrass Rangel discusses increasing competition for student enrollment.
- Houston's 24-hour workers need childcare. One center near Bellaire has offered it
for decades.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Carrie Cutler, a clinical associate professor of education at the University of Houston, discusses the importance of accessible overnight child care for working families.
- Money and politics play a role in public education curriculum gaining popularity in
Texas
KTRK – ABC13
Sam Brower, chair and clinical full professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Houston, discusses debates surrounding curriculum development, local control and state influence in Texas public education.
- Why Is Texas Taking Over So Many School Districts?
Texas Monthly (subscription required)
Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the University of Houston Education Research Center, discusses the impact of teacher turnover and uncertified staffing during Houston ISD’s state takeover.
- AI in the Classroom
Houston Public Media
Bulent Dogan, clinical professor of learning, design and technology, discussed responsible use of AI by educators.
- Katy ISD sets new framework on artificial intelligence use in classrooms
KTRK – ABC13
Jaclyn Ocumpaugh, associate professor of curriculum and instruction at University of Houston, discusses Katy ISD’s new AI framework, emphasizing that teachers and administrators need to understand the technology before classroom use.
- Houston Matters – July 28, 2026
Houston Public Media
Sam Brower, department chair and clinical full professor of curriculum and instruction, discusses secular education in Texas.
- HISD sees mixed STAAR results, with some elementary scores falling for first time
since takeover
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, explains that significant changes in student enrollment and staffing can contribute to fluctuations in school performance data from year to year.
- Cy-Fair ISD becomes latest district to announce special education consolidations
KTRK – ABC13
Kristi Santi, a professor of special populations, explains that special education program consolidations in districts like Cy-Fair ISD and Houston ISD are driven by declining enrollment and tighter budgets, with potential challenges for students and families.
- University of Houston summer camps give students hands-on learning opportunities
KHOU–11
Heather Domjan, a professor of science education, shares information on STEM summer camp opportunities for students.
- Austin ISD dyslexia rate reaches nearly 23%, state data shows, as schools work to
meet demand
Austin Current
Kristi Santi, a professor of special populations, provides context on the rise in dyslexia identification among students, pointing to increased awareness, earlier screening practices and changes in state education policy.
- Pre-K 4 SA expands to infants, toddlers as San Antonio weighs future
San Antonio Express-News (subscription required)
Xin Li, an assistant professor of early childhood education, highlights the “two-generation effect” of free childcare, noting that it supports long-term student development while enabling parents to participate in the workforce and achieve economic mobility.
- This is how Austin ISD, other Texas school districts are funded
Austin Current
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses how enrollment declines and state funding pressures are affecting districts like Austin ISD.
- Houston ISD is again looking to expand its controversial instructional reform model
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, offers perspective on Houston ISD’s expansion of the New Education System.
- AI in the classroom and more time on the baseball field. A Houston-area school's new
approach
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Jaclyn Ocumpaugh, an associate professor of curriculum and instruction, explains how recent advances in AI have shifted its use in education.
- Austin ISD loses 3,000 students amid school closures and budget crisis
Austin Current
Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, an associate professor of educational leadership, discusses how declining enrollment affects school funding and long‑term district sustainability.
- Most voucher applicants are already in private school, according to new Comptroller
data
KTRK – ABC13
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, and Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, provide context on the metrics that can lead to a state takeover.
- Spring ISD reports early gains at struggling Dekaney High School as state takeover
deadline nears
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, and Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, provide context on the metrics that can lead to a state takeover.
- Most Texas voucher applicants may already be outside public school system, data reveals
KTRK – ABC13
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses the state's new voucher program and the future data analysis needed to show what students were served.
- Parents and education groups divided over proposed changes to Texas social studies
curriculum
KTRK – ABC13
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, reflects on the history of political influence over classroom curriculum.
- HISD lost 8K students this year. Without a fast-growing online school, it would've
lost thousands more
Houston Chronicle
Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, an associate professor of educational leadership, cautions that Houston ISD's enrollment boost from out-of-district students in virtual school could obscure a deeper enrollment decline.
- Houston-area school districts ramp up marketing, hire firms to win back students
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, an associate professor of educational leadership, discusses the need for traditional public districts to market themselves as school choice grows.
- Harris County Precinct 4, UH partner to create public dashboard of mental health resources
Community Impact
Chakema Carmack, an associate professor of health, says her research with Damien Kelly serves as a resource for policymakers and others to see the gaps in mental health services across distressed communities.
- Houston takeover offers lessons — and warnings — for Fort Worth ISD
Fort Worth Report
Senior research scientist Toni Templeton discusses her study on the state takeover of Houston ISD and possible implications for Fort Worth ISD.
- Top HISD leaders making big six-figure salaries, some earning $30k bonus checks, contracts
show
KTRK – ABC13 (starts around 0:42)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses compensation trends in school districts.
Chakema Carmack, an associate professor of health, discusses her new study with Damien Kelly, which found that ZIP codes with higher incomes generally had more mental health care options.
- Drop in students enrolled in early childhood education programs, HISD data shows
KTRK – ABC13 (starts around minute 0:00:36)
Carrie Cutler, a clinical associate professor of teacher education, explains why preschool is critical for children’s brain development.
- Houston’s Mental Health Deserts
Houston Public Media/Hello Houston (starts around minute 1:29:00)
Chakema Carmack, an associate professor of health, discusses her new study with Damien Kelly that found a dearth of mental health professionals in vulnerable Houston ZIP codes.
- Fort Bend ISD prepares to release a proposal to close and rezone elementary schools
KTRK – ABC13 (starts around minute 1:51)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses factors related to possible rezoning and school closures.
- ABC13 obtains exclusive HISD student enrollment records for 2025-26 school year
KTRK – ABC13 (starts around minute 1:50)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses HISD’s enrollment decline and what it means for the future.
- The potential for a state takeover of Spring ISD if grades don’t improve this year
at Dekaney High School
Houston Public Media/Houston Matters (starts around minute 15:50)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, explains how school district takeovers work and shares school improvement strategies to prevent state intervention.
- HISD's best and worst schools in 2025, according to Children at Risk - Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, and Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, offer insights into why Houston ISD saw both improvements and declines in the rankings.
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, shares how a continued government shutdown could impact Houston’s most vulnerable families.
- Top Houston ISD high schools now eligible for partnerships for ‘more autonomy’
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, praises HISD’s decision and says the move supports continuous improvement of high-performing campuses.
Bulent Dogan, a clinical professor of learning , design and technology, discusses the pros and cons of AI companion apps.
- Houston ISD could serve as a model for the future of Fort Worth's schools
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (video starts around minute 1:07)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, discusses the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of Houston ISD and what Fort Worth ISD could expect.
- Top Houston ISD high schools could partner with outside organizations, district officials
say
KTRK – ABC13
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, notes that HISD’s proposal is atypical but has potential to boost funding.
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, comments on the impact of large donations on a small school board race.
- Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles receiving $173K bonus based on performance evaluation
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, notes that the bonus aligns with the district’s stated performance goals and outcomes.
Marédil León Cedeño, an assistant professor in the bilingual/ESL education program, explains the impact of the federal decision to reverse guidance on providing English language services in schools.
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calls for lawmakers to replace STAAR test as part of special
session
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, cautions that eliminating the STAAR test doesn’t mean the state is moving away from standardized testing altogether.
- Efforts to emphasize STEM-related learning is paying off, but is it at the expense
of other subjects?
Houston Public Media/Houston Matters (starts around minute 11:39)
Heather Domjan, a clinical professor and executive director of the UH STEM Center, discusses how integrating STEM with literacy can help bolster student test scores.
- STAAR test results are out. Here’s how Houston’s largest school districts performed
Houston Public Media
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, reflects on Houston ISD’s test score performance compared with the state average.
- Sugar Land, Missouri City providers seek to close access gaps as behavioral health
diagnoses grow
Community Impact
Charlotte Carp, a clinical assistant professor of special populations, discusses the recent increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism.
- HISD is seeing larger enrollment declines at NES schools since the state takeover
began
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, an associate professor of educational leadership, notes that despite Houston ISD's enrollment decline, a rise in special education enrollment may reflect district efforts to identify students who have long needed support.
- Sorry, kids. STAAR isn't dead yet. But there's hope. | Editorial
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Sam Brower, chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction and clinical professor of social studies education, discusses the limitations of standardized testing for school accountability and assessing teacher quality.
- Trump cuts at UH affect studies on residential segregation, a 1900s feminist society
and LGBTQ health
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Allison Master, an assistant professor who studies STEM and motivation, reflects on conducting research amid federal grant cuts.
- Job Loss, Mental Health, and the Fate of Federal Workers
KFF Health News
Blake Allan, a professor of counseling psychology, discusses the severe financial and mental health impacts faced by federal workers fired in the recent workforce purge.
Dean Cathy Horn, who leads the UH Education Research Center, weighs in on the uncertainty surrounding the cuts to the U.S. Department of Education.
Assistant Professor Allison Master was spotlighted for winning the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Dean Cathy Horn, who leads the UH Education Research Center, expressed concerns that the federal changes could impact the education of low-income and special education students.
- HISD to give principals up to $11K for limiting loss of thousands of students to charter
schools
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, an associate professor of educational leadership, questioned the effectiveness of the incentives paired with limited autonomy given to principals.
- This charter school superintendent makes $870,000. He leads a district with 1,000
students.
The Texas Tribune
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, questions the exceptionally high salary for a charter school superintendent.
- HISD and Houston-area schools show performance improvements in 2024 Children at Risk
rankings
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
Duncan Klussmann, a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and former superintendent, and Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, share insights on interpreting the rankings data.
- Is Micromanaging Classes a Recipe for School Success?
The New York Times
Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the UH Education Research Center, comments on Houston ISD’s reform efforts, questioning the ability to maintain and assess long-term gains.