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Texas
11th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Federal policy clarifies that teachers may join students in prayer

The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance emphasizing the rights of students and teachers to express their religious beliefs in public schools. This guidance allows for prayer as long as it does not disrupt school activities or coerce participation. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said: "Our Constitution safeguards the free exercise of religion as one of the guiding principles of our republic." The guidance also mandates that schools protect students from religious harassment and accommodate those needing to pray at specific times. However, schools cannot sponsor religious activities and must treat religious student groups like any other student club. The document reflects a shift towards prioritizing individual religious expression, particularly for educators, while maintaining a neutral school environment.

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TEACHING

Schools rethink how teens learn about money

U.S. high schools are revamping personal-finance instruction as more states make it a graduation requirement. Thirty states now mandate a standalone course, projected to cover over 73% of public high school students by 2031, up from 11% in 2023. Schools are emphasizing hands-on learning. Connecticut’s Ethel Walker School has students invest real endowment funds, monitor results over multiple years, and earn tax-preparer certification to assist local families, while in California, Da Vinci Communications students map decades-long financial plans, explore compounding and budgeting, and begin saving early through activities like letters to their future selves and opening Roth IRAs at 18. Educators say this experiential approach strengthens engagement, while researchers find credit and debt outcomes improve even as wealth-building effects stay mixed.

TECHNOLOGY

Parents push K-12 AI literacy

Despite the rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI), only 40 school districts in 17 states, about 0.30%, have district-level AI guidance. Pew data cited shows 26% of teens used ChatGPT for schoolwork in 2024, up from 13% in 2023, while most received no responsible-use instruction and many parents say schools haven’t shared policies. Dr. Julaine Fowlin, assistant professor and executive director for the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at the Medical University of South Carolina, argues this creates students who either fear AI as cheating or misuse it as a shortcut. She describes advocating in her South Carolina district, eventually joining an AI planning team and seeing a board-approved classroom policy in January, and urges parents to push for clear communication, training, and AI literacy. 

WORKFORCE

Friendswood ISD tackles uncertified teachers

Friendswood ISD's board of trustees has approved a plan to gradually reduce the number of uncertified teachers in the district, following the requirements of House Bill 2. This legislation mandates the phase-out of District of Innovation waivers for hiring uncertified teachers in core subjects by the 2025-26 school year. Currently, the district employs 12 uncertified teachers, all of whom are working towards certification through approved educator preparation programs (EPPs). The plan aims to decrease the number of uncertified teachers by approximately 15% annually, achieving full compliance by the 2029-30 school year. The district will maintain partnerships with EPPs such as A+ Texas Teachers and iTeach Texas to support these teachers, who must enroll in an EPP within 30 days of hire and show progress towards certification.

Northwest ISD names new principals

Northwest ISD has appointed new principals for three schools in southern Denton County during a recent board meeting. Ashley Kahler has been promoted to head principal of Medlin Middle School, succeeding Paige Cantrell, who is retiring. Hannah Garcia will lead Cox Elementary School, taking over from Chrisa Oakley. And Shari Jones has been named principal of Seven Hills Elementary, succeeding Kim Blackburn.

FINANCE

Decatur School Board greenlights bond

The Decatur School Board has unanimously approved a $137m bond election set for May 2. The primary focus of the bond is $100m allocated for constructing a new middle school to replace McCarroll Middle School. The bond package is divided into two propositions: Proposition A, totaling $132.7m, will fund the new middle school and address various facility needs, career and technical education, transportation, technology infrastructure, and safety. Proposition B, amounting to $4.3m, is designated for instructional technology devices. The bond will increase the debt portion of the tax rate by 2.2 cents, resulting in an estimated monthly tax increase of $4.77 for an average home valued at $400,000. The board's decision followed a recommendation from the community-based bond planning committee.

Lewisville ISD approves $112.5m upgrades

The Lewisville ISD board of trustees has approved guaranteed maximum prices for renovations across eight campuses, totaling $112.5m. These renovations are part of a 20-year maintenance and repair initiative aimed at enhancing older campuses. The approved costs include $18.3m for Flower Mound Elementary, $16.4m for Hebron Valley Elementary, and $34.2m for Lewisville High School Killough, among others. Additionally, $2.7m has been allocated for a roof replacement at Timber Creek Elementary, and $5.9m for locker room additions at Flower Mound High School. 

Waskom ISD proposes $35m bond

Waskom ISD residents will vote on a $35m bond proposal in May aimed at funding various district improvements. The plan includes constructing a new pre-K through fifth-grade campus, enhancing the Career and Technical Education area at Waskom High School, renovating the girl's locker room, adding eight new buses, and performing maintenance across the district. Superintendent Chris Guastella formed a committee in September 2025 to gather community input on desired improvements. If approved, the bond would raise property taxes by $10 monthly on a $250,000 homestead, but the district stated that “the average Waskom ISD home value of $127,688 would have a zero-tax rate increase.”

Klein ISD's budget gap shrinks significantly

Klein ISD's projected funding gap for the fiscal year 2025-26 has been significantly reduced from $21.1m to $4.8m, according to district leaders. During the board of trustees' meeting earlier this month, the first budget review revealed a $16.2m decrease in the general fund shortfall, allowing the district to maintain its award-winning programs.

DISTRICTS

Fort Worth ISD students excel in academics

Students in the Fort Worth ISD are showing significant improvements in reading and math, as highlighted by Superintendent Karen Molinar during a recent school board meeting. The mid-year MAP data indicates that students from kindergarten to eighth grade are progressing well compared to national standards. The percentage of students meeting grade-level norms in reading increased by four to 27 percentage points across all grades, with 57% of students in kindergarten through third grade meeting or exceeding these norms. In math, similar gains were observed, with 57% of students in the same grades also meeting expectations. Despite some declines among Pacific Islander and American Indian students, the overall trend is positive, with goals set for future STAAR performance.

Judson ISD votes to close schools

Judson ISD Trustees voted 6-1 to close four campuses next academic year, with specific schools yet to be determined. This decision arises amid a financial crisis, with a projected $35m budget shortfall due to declining enrollment and the end of pandemic-era funding. "Just like my colleagues, none of us wanted to come up here and have to close schools," said Board Vice President Amanda Poteet. The closures are expected to alleviate the deficit by approximately $7m. The district is also facing leadership instability, having seen four CFOs depart in three years, and recently terminated Superintendent Milton Fields.

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SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Students rally against ICE violence

Students at Boswell High School in north Fort Worth organized an anti-ICE protest on Monday evening, following a previous walkout that led to disciplinary actions from the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district. The protest, which began after school hours to avoid punishment, was a response to recent ICE activities in Tarrant County and the fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents by ICE agents. Brody Jones, a senior and protest organizer, said, “As a community, our fellow classmates and families have felt unsafe in our own community due to the recent violent ICE activity.” Despite facing potential disciplinary actions, students expressed their determination to continue advocating for change, with plans for more protests in the future.

INTERNATIONAL

Mass shooting at B.C. school leaves 10 dead, community in shock

Ten people, including a female suspect, were killed in shootings at a secondary school and a nearby home in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in what officials described as a devastating tragedy. RCMP said eight people, including the suspected shooter, died at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon. The suspect, described in an alert as a woman wearing a dress with brown hair, was found dead at the school from what are believed to be self-inflicted injuries. Police have not released further details about the shooter's identity or a possible motive. More than 25 people were injured at the school, including two with life-threatening injuries. About 100 students and staff were evacuated after police received reports of an active shooter around 1:20 p.m. Officers arrived within minutes and encountered what they described as a “very dramatic scene.” Two additional bodies were later discovered at a residence believed to be connected to the incident, bringing the total number of dead to 10. Support services are being mobilized for students, families, first responders and residents as the community begins to process the events.
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