Silas Allen
@silasallen.bsky.social
Education enterprise reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Stroke survivor, Missourian, Mizzou alum. No sniveling.
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 [email protected] )
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.
When schools shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a spike in the number of families who homeschooled. Most people expected that would normalize once the pandemic ended. But that hasn't happened.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
More Fort Worth parents switch to homeschooling 5 years after start of pandemic
Experts thought the rise in homeschooling might slow down after a few years. So far, it hasn’t happened. Here’s why some local families choose to homeschool.
www.star-telegram.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
When schools shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a spike in the number of families who homeschooled. Most people expected that would normalize once the pandemic ended. But that hasn't happened.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Texas Education Agency investigators found that a Fort Worth area school district violated federal law in its dealings with students in its special education program.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/f...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/f...
Aledo ISD violated special education laws, state investigation finds
The investigation began after parents and teachers came forward with complaints about the district’s special education program.
www.star-telegram.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Texas Education Agency investigators found that a Fort Worth area school district violated federal law in its dealings with students in its special education program.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/f...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/f...
Texas Ed Commissioner Mike Morath was in Fort Worth this morning, ahead of a decision on whether he'll take over the district.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Texas education commissioner Mike Morath visits Fort Worth ISD campuses
The visits were part of the commissioner’s process for deciding if the agency will take over the district.
www.star-telegram.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Texas Ed Commissioner Mike Morath was in Fort Worth this morning, ahead of a decision on whether he'll take over the district.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
The Fort Worth school district is set to close 18 schools over the next few years due to declining enrollment. We looked at how groups of parents at two campuses pushed back against school closures, and why one group was successful and the other wasn't. www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Did parental activism, or lack thereof, save or doom certain Fort Worth schools?
With schools facing closure, some families rallied hard for their campuses. Others were quieter. Did that sway Fort Worth ISD’s decisions?
www.star-telegram.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The Fort Worth school district is set to close 18 schools over the next few years due to declining enrollment. We looked at how groups of parents at two campuses pushed back against school closures, and why one group was successful and the other wasn't. www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Silas Allen
FOIA exemptions.
quote this post with one thing you hate that the government made up
August 1, 2025 at 3:54 AM
FOIA exemptions.
Reposted by Silas Allen
Also, sign up for PBS Passport! You pay what you want, money goes to your local station, and you get access to tons more great programming on-demand. help.pbs.org/support/solu...
July 18, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Also, sign up for PBS Passport! You pay what you want, money goes to your local station, and you get access to tons more great programming on-demand. help.pbs.org/support/solu...
The Fort Worth school district says it has $10 million in federal funding tied up in the Trump administration's education grant funding freeze.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Federal education funding freeze leaves millions in limbo for Fort Worth schools
Fort Worth ISD leaders are reviewing what positions and contracts will be affected by the funding freeze.
www.star-telegram.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Fort Worth school district says it has $10 million in federal funding tied up in the Trump administration's education grant funding freeze.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
The Fort Worth school district is closing a bunch of schools due to enrollment declines. I looked at one neighborhood where enrollment is dropping even as the kid population is increasing to see what's going on.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
More kids live in this Fort Worth ZIP code. So why are public schools shrinking?
The trend illustrates one of Fort Worth ISD’s biggest challenges: When presented with options, many families are looking elsewhere.
www.star-telegram.com
July 10, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The Fort Worth school district is closing a bunch of schools due to enrollment declines. I looked at one neighborhood where enrollment is dropping even as the kid population is increasing to see what's going on.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Silas Allen
CNN’s reporter on scene in Los Angeles: I’m being detained..
June 10, 2025 at 4:15 AM
CNN’s reporter on scene in Los Angeles: I’m being detained..
Two years into a state takeover, Houston ISD is seeing higher test scores, but also a lot of turmoil. I looked at what it can tell us about where Fort Worth may be headed.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
May 19, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Two years into a state takeover, Houston ISD is seeing higher test scores, but also a lot of turmoil. I looked at what it can tell us about where Fort Worth may be headed.
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
www.star-telegram.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Silas Allen
If you are not originally from Texas, but practice law here, a good thing to do is occasionally say things like "pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered" or "that man's got less sense than a peach orchard goat."
May 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
If you are not originally from Texas, but practice law here, a good thing to do is occasionally say things like "pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered" or "that man's got less sense than a peach orchard goat."