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The Texas House has taken a significant step towards implementing a $1bn private school voucher program, with an initial approval of Senate Bill 2 by an 85-63 vote. The bill, which could expand to reach $4.5bn annually by 2030, allows families to use taxpayer money for private school tuition, and for costs associated with home-schooling, with a focus on prioritizing low-income students and those with disabilities. Gov. Greg Abbott hailed the decision as an "extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents" advocating for educational choices. “It’s time to provide a full array of options to parents,” Rep. Brad Buckley, a sponsor of the bill, said from the House floor before the vote. However, Democrats criticized the bill, arguing it favors wealthy interests over everyday Texans. The legislation also includes a $7.7bn school funding package aimed at increasing per-student funding and improving special education services. The Texas Senate had already passed a similar school choice plan. Now members of the two chambers must align their proposals, after a final procedural vote in the House. 

 

Education Week

New York Times

Temple Daily Telegram

The Texas Tribune

US News and World Report

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The U.S. Department of Education has announced that the the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will continue as planned next year, despite a recent round of layoffs at the agency. In addition to assessing math and reading in 4th and 8th grades in January 2026, a letter sent to states on Thursday shows U.S. history and civics will be administered for 8th graders as planned prior to the March layoffs. NCES is preparing for the 2025-26 cycle now and will administer the assessments between Jan. 26 and March 20, 2026, according to the letter. Math and reading results for the nation, states, and districts participating in the Trial Urban District Assessment, which tracks academic progress in urban districts, will be released in early 2027. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said that while the “final mission," to close the department to the maximum extent possible as ordered by President Donald Trump in a March executive order, continues, she is still “committed to providing states with the tools and best practices to advance the educational achievement of our nation’s students.” 

 

K-12 Dive

Teacher compensation extends beyond mere salaries, according to Jacob Vigdor, a professor at the University of Washington, who points out, “the way that teachers are paid looks a lot more like the way we pay blue-collar workers.” Teachers are paid less than comparable workers with similar education levels , according to the Economic Policy Institute. More teachers also report frequent job-related stress and symptoms of depression than similar workers. On average, teachers work 10 more hours per week than comparable professionals. The average teacher salary is $61,800, but this varies significantly by state, with California leading at $100,789 and Florida at $53,915. Teachers often seek higher salaries, with a recent survey indicating a desire for a 31% raise. Non-wage benefits, such as pensions and health insurance, play a crucial role in total compensation. While many teachers are excluded from Social Security, they rely on state pension plans, which can be underfunded. Overall, teacher compensation is a complex issue that encompasses salary, benefits, and job-related stress.

 

Education Week News

A class action lawsuit has been filed in federal court to restore the legal status of international students whose visas were revoked during a crackdown by the Trump administration. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) affiliates represent over 100 students from New England and Puerto Rico, highlighting the urgent need for legal protection. Gilles Bissonnette, legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, stated: "International students are a vital community in our state's universities." Since March, approximately 1,100 students across more than 170 institutions have faced visa terminations, often without prior notice. The lawsuit aims to address these abrupt changes that jeopardize students' education and residency in the U.S.

 

U.S. News

The U.S. Department of Education's “Dear Colleague” letter, which critiques certain DEI practices, has ignited a legal battle. Opponents argue it represents a policy shift that could stifle teachers' discussions on diversity due to fears of losing federal funding. Brooke Menschel, a senior attorney at Democracy Forward, said: “The government is saying, with its power of the purse: ‘We don't like diversity, equity and inclusion.'” U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher is yet to rule on a preliminary injunction request to block the letter's enforcement. The Department of Education maintains that the letter merely clarifies existing obligations under the Civil Rights Act.

 

The Baltimore Sun

A new campus bookstore has been opened at TH Johnson Elementary School in Taylor ISD. Educators at the school said they had been inspired by the excitement of students attending Scholastic Book Fairs - and by the fact that some pupils could not afford to purchase books. Counselor Renee Schneider said every student "has the opportunity of shopping at our 'Leader in Me Bookstore'. They can earn 'Duck Bucks' at school and then use their 'Duck Bucks' to purchase books from our bookstore." The initiative was backed by a grant from the Taylor Educational Enrichment Foundation.

 

Taylor Daily Press

Recently, State Rep. Jay Dean, R-Longview, broke with many rural Republicans by voting in favor of Texas's first school voucher program. He explained: "I have always supported our public schools. This has not changed," emphasizing his commitment to improving the bill through key amendments. These amendments include a two-year limit on the program, annual audits for transparency, and protections for public school funding. Despite receiving mixed feedback from constituents, Dean opted to support the bill to prevent any adverse effects on rural schools. He also highlighted his role in securing additional funding for public schools in House Bill 2, which provides an average of $1,900 more per student in his district.

 

Longview News-Journal

The Trump administration has mandated that states must commit to ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in K-12 schools by April 24 to avoid losing federal funding. David Law, president of The School Superintendents Association, commented: "The confusion is this has never happened before. We already don't allow discrimination." The Education Department's directive requires states to reaffirm compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits race-based discrimination. However, the lack of clarity around what constitutes a violation has led to varied responses from states. Some, like New York, have pushed back against the federal demands, while others, such as Arizona, support the administration's stance. The situation has created anxiety among educators, with Law noting that "monthly changing guidance... can be a distraction and can be detrimental on school systems."

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Midway High School junior Nandini Kadakia is celebrating after scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT - placing her in the top 2% nationally, and becoming only the eighth Midway ISD student to earn a perfect score since 2019. Kadakia, who is vice president of the MFS Diversity Council and a member of the HOSA Future Health Professionals, said she was in "utter disbelief" at her achievement. "Everyone here at Midway is really supportive", she said, "I could talk to my friends about their test prep strategies, and my math teacher helped a lot."

 

Kcbd Tv

Yasmin Bhatia, chief executive of the Uplift Education charter school system, writes in the Dallas Morning News that the state legislature "has a chance to finally address one of the biggest inequities in Texas public education: facilities funding for public charter schools" While Senator Angela Paxton's Senate Bill 1750 was proposed to halve the per-student funding gap between charters and traditional ISDs, she writes, current drafts "scaled back the funding levels in SB 1750 significantly, closing just a quarter of the gap". Uplift Education, she notes, spent $40m on facilities across 45 schools, receiving just $3.2m in facilities funding - a figure that would jump to $35m if the system received facilities funding on the same basis as ISDs.

 

Dallas News

The Tyler Morning Telegraph carries an update on the Texas measles outbreak, showing that the number of reported cases had risen to 597 as of Saturday, while the number of hospitalized patients stood at 62. Parmer and Potter counties have now reported their first cases, taking the number of counties with at least one reported case to 25. The Texas Department of State Health Services has said that spending on the outbreak, predominantly for immunization and testing, has now topped $4.5m.

 

Tyler Morning Telegraph

As U.S. colleges reduce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, students of color report losing vital support systems such as mentors, scholarships, and community events. Breeana-Iris Rosario, a junior at the University of Michigan, expressed concern, stating: “It feels like we're going back. I don't know how else to describe it.” The rollback of DEI programs has been influenced by federal directives under the Trump administration, prompting institutions to comply to avoid losing federal funding. For instance, Case Western Reserve University recently closed its DEI office, with President Eric Kaler noting the need for compliance to secure critical federal funds. Students fear these changes will exacerbate feelings of isolation and hinder their educational experiences, as many programs aimed at fostering diversity are being eliminated or rebranded.

 

U.S. News

National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) general secretary Dr. Patrick Roach has said the union will "go straight to our members" if the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) recommends a pay increase above the 2.8% proposed by ministers and that recommendation is rejected. The union's members are also today set to debate an urgent motion that will consider whether the NASUWT should "reject any pay award that is not fully-funded and to move immediately to ballot members for industrial action". Dr. Roach, who is attending his final annual conference as general secretary, told Schools Week that the Government rejecting a higher recommended pay award would be a "non-starter", adding: "I know what the will of our national action committee is, and that isn’t changing, whether I’m here or somebody else is in my seat." 

 

Schools Week