Become more informed in minutes....

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) can now release the 2024 A-F accountability ratings for schools and districts, following a ruling from the Fifteenth Court of Appeals. The decision reverses a previous court order that had blocked the ratings due to lawsuits from various districts regarding changes in performance metrics. Chief Justice Scott Brister emphasized that "courts can decide only whether it is legal, not whether it is wise or fair." The ratings, which focus on academic performance, including STAAR scores, are crucial for schools to make informed decisions. Todd Williams, founder and chief executive of The Commit Partnership, hailed the ruling as a victory for transparency, saying: "With A-F ratings for districts and campuses, students and families can make informed choices." The release of these ratings is particularly significant for Fort Worth ISD, which is facing a potential state takeover due to poor performance.

 

Dallas News

Star-Telegram

Austin American-Statesman

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 27th that allows parents to excuse their children from LGBTQ-themed storybooks in classrooms has raised concerns among educators. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. stated that denying parents this right “unconstitutionally burdened” their ability to guide their children's religious upbringing. David Stein, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, expressed worries about the logistical challenges teachers will face, saying: “the burden is really going to be a mess.” The Montgomery County district, which initially allowed opt-outs, rescinded the policy due to the growing number of requests. Now, teachers must navigate the complexities of accommodating students who opt out, potentially leading to classroom divisions. Kira Mikkelsen, a teacher in the district, noted that many educators may not have used the LGBTQ-themed books, citing time constraints and a lack of training. National Education Association President Becky Pringle warned that limiting access to such books could hinder students' learning and sense of belonging.

 

Education Week News

In response to a declining membership and an aging workforce, the National Education Association (NEA) has initiated a working group aimed at supporting early-career teachers. Em DePriest, a teacher from Kansas, emphasized the importance of this initiative, commenting: “People look at us and say, [early-career teachers] haven't been here for 25 years. They weren't a pandemic teacher. They haven't been in the fight and don't know what it's like. And sure, that might all be accurate, but we are in it now. That fight is going to continue with or without us, so we have to be able to put our fists up against it.” The group will focus on professional development tailored for teachers in their first seven years, addressing the high turnover rates among young educators. NEA spokesperson Celeste Fernandez noted that approximately 30%-35% of union members are early-career teachers. The goal is to enhance retention by providing relevant training and fostering community among new educators.

 

Education Week News

In response to a measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, Austin Public Health and the University of Texas have developed a measles outbreak simulator to forecast the spread of the disease based on school vaccination rates. Dr. Desmar Walkes emphasized the importance of vaccination, warning: "In communities where vaccination rates dip even slightly, the risk of measles outbreaks rises dramatically." The simulator aims to help public health officials target schools with low vaccination rates, as the goal is to achieve 95% vaccination to prevent outbreaks. The tool has gained interest from 22 states, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding vaccination efforts. The initiative highlights the ongoing need for vigilance against vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in light of changing environmental factors that may increase the risk of outbreaks.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Longview ISD is making significant progress on its $456m bond projects approved by voters in May 2024. "With steel in the dirt and design documents flying across desks, Longview ISD’s 2024 bond projects have moved beyond planning and into tangible momentum this spring," the district stated. Key projects include the Early Childhood Learning Center, Transportation Center, Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility, Career and Technology Education Center, and a new Natatorium. The Natatorium's design process is thorough, with adjustments being made to align costs with the original $33.9m budget. Pine Tree ISD is also advancing on $55m in bond-funded projects, including a new high school career and technical education facility. Superintendent Steve Clugston noted that the renovations will help the district "get a lot more life out of our buildings."

 

Longview News-Journal

Burton ISD has initiated a fundraising campaign to enhance athletics and extracurricular programs at Burton Junior High and Burton High School, aiming to secure community support beyond the district's standard budgets. With recent bond approvals and funding, the district has successfully met its academic needs, providing students with modern classrooms and safe learning environments. Now, officials are focusing on enriching programs that contribute to well-rounded student development. As stated, "the focus now has shifted to strengthening programs that help shape well-rounded students outside the classroom." The community's involvement is seen as crucial for this initiative.

 

Brenham Banner Press

Teachers are feeling overworked and underpaid, but recent findings from the RAND Corporation indicate a slight improvement in their situation. The survey, conducted with over 1,400 K-12 teachers, revealed that the percentage of teachers reporting burnout has decreased, with only 16% intending to leave their jobs, down from 22% last year. However, disparities remain, particularly among Black teachers, who report lower pay and higher burnout rates. Ashley Woo, an associate policy researcher at RAND, expressed concerns about these disparities, and also noted: “Not everyone who says that they're likely to leave is actually going to leave.” Despite a slight increase in average teacher salaries, the gap between teacher pay and that of similarly educated adults continues to widen, contributing to ongoing stress and dissatisfaction among educators.

 

Education Week News

The Texas City ISD board has unanimously approved a new compensation plan that aligns with state-funded raises for teachers and offers additional increases for other staff. First-year teachers will earn $64,400, while those with three to five years of experience will see raises between $5,000 and $10,000. Spokeswoman Melissa Tortorici emphasized the plan reflects the district's values, stating, “We are deeply grateful for the hard work of our staff.” The plan is part of House Bill 2, which allocated an $8.5bn increase in public school funding. Although the new plan will create a $3.2m budget deficit, Assistant Superintendent Margaret Lee assured that it is “intentional and manageable,” supported by a healthy fund balance. The compensation adjustments aim to retain staff and address rising living costs, with Tortorici noting that salary increases were “urgently needed to keep up with inflation.”

 

The Galveston County Daily News

This summer, Bryan ISD and College Station ISD are bustling with athletic construction projects. At Bryan, Merrill Green Stadium is receiving new turf, replacing the old field that had been in use since 2016. The project began three weeks ago, with installation expected to be completed before football practice starts on August 11. Meanwhile, College Station ISD is also upgrading its baseball and softball fields, with plans to install LED lighting and turf. Assistant superintendent Josh Symank noted that while the fields may not be ready for the first day of school, they aim to complete the projects as quickly as possible. Both districts are excited about the improvements, which will benefit not just athletes but the entire community.

 

Bryan-College Station Eagle

Coppell ISD has announced a new initiative to provide free and reduced-price meals for children starting July 8, running through July 2026. The district will send letters to households detailing eligibility and application procedures for the benefits.

 

Allen American

The Trump administration has intensified its conflict with Harvard University, announcing that the Department of Homeland Security would issue subpoenas regarding alleged misconduct by foreign students. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services indicated that Harvard's failure to address claims of harassment against Jewish students could lead to the loss of its accreditation, which would make students ineligible for federal financial aid. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard. Now, through their refusal to cooperate, we have to do things the hard way." The administration aims to instigate change at Harvard and similar institutions, asserting they have become centers of leftist ideology and antisemitism.

 

Politico

U.S. News

The federal government significantly underreported the number of international students in the U.S. last year by over 200,000, according to corrected data from the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) released by the Department of Homeland Security. Chris Glass, a professor at Boston College, highlighted this discrepancy, commenting: “It's critical data at a moment when people are paying close attention to the number of international students in the U.S.” The revised figures show a year-over-year growth of 6.5%, aligning with data from the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, which reported a record number of international students for the 2023-24 academic year. The situation has sparked ongoing debates regarding international student visas, particularly in light of recent legal battles involving institutions like Harvard.

 

CNBC

Pakistan's federal government is to distribute 100,000 laptops to students across the country, as part of the Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme 2025. A high-level meeting of the scheme’s third special committee was held on Tuesday, chaired by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui; officials reviewed the regional distribution of applications and quota allocations. He announced later that the central launch ceremony will be held on 25 July at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, adding: “Access to technology is key to Pakistan’s development."

 

Islamabad51