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Democrat efforts to challenge President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education mounted Thursday, as 11 senators asked the agency’s acting inspector general, René Rocque, to investigate the push. The group, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), wrote: “Decimating the Department of Education’s abilities to administer financial aid, investigate civil rights violations, conduct research on educational outcomes, and oversee the use of federal education grants threatens to have disastrous consequences for American students, teachers and families.” Rocque, who joined the Education Department’s Office of Inspector General as deputy inspector general in December 2023, became acting director in January. Meanwhile, Republicans in some states have taken the opportunity to ask the administration for more leeway in their education spending.  On March 25, for example, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters sent a letter to the Education Department requesting a waiver to receive a block grant for all funds allocated to his state under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Such a consolidated block grant would “significantly enhance local flexibility” so “schools will be able to address their unique needs and priorities,” Walters wrote.

 

K-12 Dive

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population. School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
  
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
  
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
  
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

Recent cellphone bans in Texas schools have sparked significant parental concern regarding student safety. A National Parents Union poll revealed that over 75% of parents have children who take their phones to school, primarily for safety reasons. Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, stessed the need for communication, stating: “We need to be able to communicate with our kids.” While some schools report improved student engagement and fewer conflicts since implementing bans, experts like David Yeager argue that cellphones are a “convenient scapegoat” for deeper issues. He advocates for mindful cellphone use rather than outright bans. The proposed Texas HB 515, which would enforce statewide cellphone bans, is currently under review by the Public Education Committee.

 

The Austin Chronicle

State Rep. Stan Gerdes has introduced House Bill 4812, known as the Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education, or FURRIES, Act, aiming to prohibit students from dressing or acting like animals in Texas schools. Gerdes stated: “We cannot allow these types of role-playing distractions to affect our students who are trying to learn.” The bill, which has garnered support from Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, seeks to ban behaviors such as wearing animal-like accessories and imitating animals. If passed, it would require public school districts to include these prohibitions in their student codes of conduct. The proposal also suggests classifying parental support of such behavior as child abuse, while allowing exemptions for approved activities like Halloween.

 

Elgin Courier

Austin ISD officials are evaluating strategies to address significant budget challenges, including the potential consolidation of schools. The AISD Board of Trustees discussed these options following a cost savings audit by Gibson Consulting Group, which highlighted that consolidating schools with lower student populations could yield substantial savings. If all 49 schools identified for consolidation were merged, it could save approximately $43.6m annually. However, officials caution that this figure may not reflect actual savings due to potential enrollment changes and operating expenses. The board is set to vote on the consolidation plan in December 2025, with any approved changes taking effect in the 2026-27 academic year.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Canutillo ISD is implementing significant budget cuts, including layoffs and program redesigns, to address a projected $5.8m deficit. Communications director Gustavo Reveles indicated that dozens of employees, including teachers and librarians, will be affected. The district aims to reduce the deficit to $2.3m through these measures. The basic allotment per student has remained unchanged since 2019, prompting calls for an increase to support public schools adequately. Canutillo ISD is not alone, with other districts in El Paso County also facing similar financial challenges.

 

El Paso Times

Lubbock ISD is hosting a series of community information sessions to clarify its proposed $290m bond package, which will be on the May ballots. The first session took place at Atkins Middle School, with three more scheduled over the next few weeks. The bond aims to enhance safety, security, and facility renovations. Upcoming meetings will be held at various schools, including Dunbar College Preparatory Academy and Hutchinson Middle School.

 

Kcbd Tv

The Hallsville Education Foundation recently awarded over $84,691 in surprise grants to teachers across Hallsville ISD, including $71,122 for innovative grants and $8,250 for teacher surprise grants. The foundation, established in 2001, has channeled over $1m back into Hallsville ISD schools, enhancing educational experiences.

 

Marshall News Messenger

Heights Elementary School in Texas City ISD has been recognized as a "Model Professional Learning Community at Work", joining 600 campuses across the U.S. and Canada. This honor, announced by Solution Tree, highlights schools that prioritize ongoing professional development for educators to enhance student learning.

 

The Galveston County Daily News

Pleasant Grove ISD's Education Foundation has awarded over 20 grants totaling $86,754.35 to support various educational projects. Recipients included Daniel Beall, who received nearly $8,000 for his middle school robotics program, and Alicia Thompson, who secured funding for her social emotional learning initiative.

 

Texarkana Gazette

Katy ISD's board of trustees recently convened to address concerns raised by teachers regarding alleged violations of their planning time rights. Teachers assert that they are entitled to 450 minutes of uninterrupted planning every two weeks, as mandated by the Texas Education Code. However, district officials argue that various required meetings may necessitate scheduling during this time. According to the Texas AFT: "Your planning and prep period is to be used at your discretion, and it cannot be hijacked by administrators without your consent". In response to the ongoing dispute, board President Victor Perez announced the formation of a committee to explore solutions, including hiring substitutes to cover instructional duties during planning periods.

 

Katy Times

The Muleshoe ISD is close to selecting its next superintendent, with Impact Education Specialists leading the search. Outgoing Superintendent R.L. Richards confirmed that the school board has narrowed the candidate pool to six finalists. Interviews are currently in progress, and the board is expected to make a decision soon. Once a preferred candidate is chosen, a mandatory 21-day waiting period will allow the community to review the selection and voice any concerns.

 

Star-Telegram

Angleton ISD's new schools, Heritage Junior High and Heartland Elementary, are progressing well, with $126.48m spent from a $135.77m budget. Construction is on track, with elevators installed and exterior brickwork underway. Although the schools won't open for the upcoming school year in August, the financial outlook remains positive, with $9.29m left in the budget.

 

The Facts

At last week's Galveston City Council meeting, Joe Jaworski, a former mayor and spokesperson for Project Rosenberg, presented updates on the initiative aimed at converting the former Rosenberg Elementary School property into a park. The council unanimously approved 11 conditions for the Galveston ISD to meet before the city accepts the property. Jaworski reported that the project has secured $1.52m in pledges, with $1.3m readily accessible. However, some council members raised concerns about the city's ability to fund existing parks and the environmental safety of the site. The council agreed to conduct a Phase 1-A environmental assessment after the school structures are cleared, with further assessments contingent on the findings.

 

The Galveston County Daily News

Teacher burnout is reaching crisis levels, yet misconceptions persist about its root causes. While some blame personality traits, educators and advocates argue that burnout stems from systemic issues like chronic staffing shortages. An EdWeek survey confirms that better support staff would significantly improve teacher satisfaction. Education author Alexandra Robbins urges society to stop pathologizing teachers and start fixing broken school systems. While some teachers quit after reaching emotional breaking points, others attempt to cope by drawing strict boundaries between work and personal time. A recent poll found that many teachers manage burnout by controlling what they can—like limiting after-hours work. Though schools still face staffing gaps, especially in special education, teachers are seeking survival strategies. Without broader structural reform, however, burnout will continue to erode the profession.

 

Education Week News

First Student has partnered with Ampcontrol to enhance its electric school bus operations through advanced EV charging technology. With plans to deploy 30,000 electric buses by 2035, this collaboration aims to provide sustainable transportation for 2.7m students. The partnership will utilize Ampcontrol’s cloud software, AmpEdge, to optimize energy management and fleet operations, ultimately reducing costs and improving reliability. 

 

School Bus Fleet

The Supreme Court is set to hear three significant religion cases this spring, marking the end of a nearly three-year hiatus on such matters. The cases include a Catholic charity in Wisconsin seeking a tax exemption, the constitutionality of a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma, and whether parents can withdraw their children from LGBTQ+ themed discussions in Maryland public schools.

 

Bradenton.com

France's Department of Education has launched a national campaign to increase awareness among students about the dangers of cybercrime, by sending them a fake phishing email. According to the government, young people aged 11-18 are particularly susceptible to exposure to digital risks, and often show "an excess of confidence in their digital uses." Operation Cactus saw more than 2.5m students in more than 4,700 middle and high schools receive an email on their digital workspaces, encouraging them to click on a link that would lead them to a website where they could download pirated video games and cheats for free. More than 210,000 students clicked on the malicious link. Instead of pirated software, they got to see a video educating them on the risks of illegal actions on the internet. The Commission Nationale de l’ Informatique et des Libertés, France’s data protection authority, says in a statement that the authorities are committed to protecting students from engaging in cybercriminal activities by organizing awareness sessions in classes.

 

Cybernews

After 44 years of parent-teacher conferences for her three children, author Alina Adams shares why they still matter. Her key advice: listen first, ask for data, and know when to trust—or challenge—teachers and your child. She recalls times when teachers saw issues she missed, and others when she had to push back on misjudgments. Despite a sharp drop in attendance since the pandemic, Adams says conferences remain vital—not just for tracking academic progress, but for holding schools accountable and showing kids someone’s paying attention. Her final conference wasn’t about grades—it was to thank the teachers who made a difference. Conferences, she writes, offer “a chance to see your child through fresh eyes... and thank the people who helped them grow.”

 

The 74 (Online)