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Former K-12 Education Reporter

Jacob Carpenter

Jacob Carpenter is a former education reporter for the Houston Chronicle. Prior to arriving in Texas, he spent a year as an investigative reporting fellow for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He reported for the Naples (Fla.) Daily News from 2011 to 2016, covering criminal courts and long-term investigative projects. A native of suburban Detroit, he graduated from Michigan State University in 2010.

Stories By Jacob Carpenter

Early Texas test scores show big declines in high school math

The first trove of state standardized exam results confirmed what many educators feared about math performance and mirrored national trends. By Jacob Carpenter

It’s official: Millard House II will become HISD’s superintendent

The pro forma vote follows the naming of House as HISD’s lone superintendent finalist on May 21. Texas law mandates that school boards must wait at least 21 days before formally approving their selection. By Jacob Carpenter

Worn-out students, staff say goodbye to 2020-21 school year

The longest school year in recent history came to a close Friday, with the Houston area’s final public school districts still in session bidding farewell to students for the summer. By Jacob Carpenter and Alejandro Serrano

HISD board approves bigger-than-expected teacher pay raise

Teachers in the state’s largest school district will see salary hikes averaging roughly $3,500 in the next school year after Houston ISD backed the pay bumps. By Jacob Carpenter

Student shot in hand at North Forest High School

A student was shot in the hand at North Forest High School on Wednesday morning, police said, though there is no active shooter situation. Anna Bauman, Jacob Carpenter

Why HISD’s low teacher pay isn’t getting better

Houston ISD teachers would get, on average, a 1 percent raise next year under the district’s proposed budget. Teachers in many other districts would get a 2 percent to 4 percent bump. By Jacob Carpenter

Can Millard House conquer HISD?

Former colleagues and acquaintances across the south said HISD’s lone superintendent finalist brings a calming presence to a district desperately looking for stability. By Jacob Carpenter

IDEA Public Schools fires CEO, COO after financial audit

The terminations at Texas’ largest charter school network followed a forensic review that found evidence of misuse of funds and staff by top district officials. By Jacob Carpenter

IDEA Public Schools fires CEO, COO after financial audit

The terminations at Texas’ largest charter school network followed a forensic review that found evidence of misuse of funds and staff by top district officials. By Jacob Carpenter

Texas House backs schools bill lowering test stakes

The House advanced the proposed legislation by a voice vote Tuesday night, though major differences remain with a Senate version of the education bill. By Jacob Carpenter

HISD trustees name Tennessee educator as superintendent

Millard House II will arrive in Houston after spending four years as superintendent of Clarksville-Montgomery County School System in Tennessee. By Jacob Carpenter

As HISD closes in on superintendent, lawmakers debate...

After three tumultuous years of operating with an interim superintendent, Houston ISD trustees are set to vote Friday on finally naming a long-term leader for the state’s largest school district. By Jacob Carpenter

Vaccines during the school day? It’s happening in Spring Branch.

District officials said about 450 students ages 12 and up had signed up for a jab as of Monday, with potentially thousands more expected to be vaccinated in the coming weeks. By Jacob Carpenter

HISD set to name superintendent finalist Friday

Trustees are expected to complete their candidate interviews and agree on a finalist Thursday, then take a formal vote and publicly introduce their selection Friday. By Jacob Carpenter

What Abbott's mask mandate ban means for Houston schools

Most Houston-area school districts will be done with the 2020-21 school year by June 5, though Houston ISD’s year does not end until June 11. By Jacob Carpenter

50 Cent wants to teach HISD students how to make big bucks

The world-famous rapper, actor and entrepreneur, who announced his move to the Bayou City earlier this month, announced a $300,000 donation to launch business programs at three Houston ISD campuses. By Jacob Carpenter

Houston districts ramping up work on teacher incentive pay

A hotly debated state initiative to spread pay-for-performance models across Texas is taking root, with Aldine and Conroe ISDs among those leading the way in Greater Houston. By Jacob Carpenter

Houston’s newest COVID vaccine hotspots: restaurants and clubs

In its latest attempt to vaccinate the masses, the Houston Health Department plans to offer COVID shots at busy areas across the city in the coming weeks, hoping to catch idle bodies at a moment when time isn’t of the essence. By Jacob Carpenter

HISD plans to survey families, public on spending $800M

Houston ISD officials plan to solicit feedback from parents, students and other community members in the coming weeks as they finalize plans for doling out the huge influx of cash. By Jacob Carpenter

HISD’s latest special ed critic: its own auditors

An internal audit review concluded that Houston ISD “did not develop and manage” its special education training programs to meet students’ needs, putting the district at risk of legal repercussions. By Jacob Carpenter