Job Description

Texas Education Reporter

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.

Key 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
   

We’re looking for someone who: 

• 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
  Success is measured by
• Breaking news and delivering exclusive reporting on statewide education policy and the
  voucher rollout
• Producing journalism that reveals whether education leaders and institutions are
  delivering for Texas students and families

• Creating accountability and utility coverage that drives engagement, loyalty and
  subscriber value

   

About the Houston Chronicle:

The Houston Chronicle, recognized for its Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, serves its 2.3 million residents with content and marketing solutions across two of Houston’s largest websites — HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com, along with our magazine, television and newspaper brands.  Our mission is to spark conversations that inspire action to create a better Houston.  All our content and the innovative business solutions we provide invite Houstonians to join conversations about a community we’ve been committed to covering and helping prosper for more than 120 years. The community we all call home.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. 

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.  

Be a part of something bigger – your headline awaits.

Recognizing the diverse needs of our candidates, if you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or regarding the application process, please contact us by email at [email protected].  Please do not use this email address to inquire about the status of applications. We will only respond to inquiries concerning requests for a reasonable accommodation through this email address.

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