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Texas
4th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas ESA faces religious lawsuit

A new lawsuit challenges Texas’s Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, which is expected to become the nation’s largest private school choice effort when it begins next school year. Mehdi Cherkaoui, a parent and attorney, alleges religious discrimination, arguing that “not a single accredited Islamic private school has been approved” while hundreds of other private schools have. State officials, including Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, cite an Attorney General Ken Paxton opinion allowing schools to be barred over ties to terrorist organizations or foreign adversaries. Critics also note limited nondiscrimination protections for participating schools.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Academic scores plummet post-pandemic

Academic performance in U.S. public schools has significantly declined since the pandemic, with national test data revealing drops in math and reading scores. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, average scores for 12th graders fell three points in both subjects since 2019. Alarmingly, 32% of high school seniors scored below the basic reading level, a rise from 20% in 1992. Acting Commissioner Matthew Soldner said, “These results are sobering,” highlighting the impact on the lowest-performing students. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the need for better management of education funding, stating, “Despite spending billions annually... the achievement gap is widening.” The Brookings Institution report warns that the end of federal pandemic aid could hinder recovery efforts, stressing the importance of sustained investment in education.

Father convicted in school shooting case

Colin Gray, a Georgia man, was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, where his son, Colt Gray, is accused of killing two students and two teachers. Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray provided his son with access to a gun and ammunition "after receiving sufficient warning that Colt Gray would harm and endanger the bodily safety of another." Colt Gray, who was 14 at the time, faces 55 counts, including murder, and has pleaded not guilty. Colin Gray's awareness of his son's deteriorating mental health and obsession with school shootings was highlighted during the trial.

LEGAL

Judge halts texas LGBTQ+ club ban

Students in Houston, Katy, and Plano ISDs received a temporary reprieve from Texas' Senate Bill 12, which bans discussions on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation in K-12 schools. District Judge Charles Eskridge ruled on February 20 that the law will be paused while litigation continues. The ACLU of Texas, Transgender Law Center, and Baker McKenzie filed the lawsuit on behalf of various advocacy groups and students. Dale Melchert, a senior staff attorney with the Transgender Law Center, described SB 12 as "one of the broadest student censorship laws" he has encountered. The injunction currently applies only to the three districts involved in the lawsuit, but Melchert hopes it empowers students in other districts to challenge the law.

DISTRICTS

Lamar CISD students excel in state tests

Lamar CISD trustees reviewed the Texas Academic Performance Report during a meeting on February 17. The report, presented by Brian Moore, director of reporting, assessment, and accountability, highlights that LCISD students outperformed state and regional averages in nearly all subjects for the 2024-25 school year. The only exception was seventh-grade mathematics, which Moore noted is a "statewide issue." The district has seen a 22% increase in student population since the 2020-21 school year, with notable growth in the Asian student demographic. Attendance rates have risen to nearly 95%, and the drop-out rate stands at just 0.8%. Additionally, graduation rates exceed state and regional averages, with nearly 60% of students attending higher education institutions in 2024, returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Austin ISD plans for surplus schools

Austin ISD officials have identified five elementary schools—Becker, Dawson, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Widén—as surplus as part of a strategy to address a $65m budget deficit and declining enrollment. Jaime Miller, senior executive director of operations, clarified: "That's our hope is that some of these (properties) become great opportunities to serve the community and generate revenue." The district plans to repurpose these properties, potentially for community projects like affordable housing, rather than selling them outright. The future use will be determined based on community feedback and other factors. Additionally, the district is looking to combine students from Blackshear and Oak Springs elementary schools, while other unused properties may also be repurposed or sold.

Rangerville Elementary faces uncertain future

The future of Rangerville Elementary School in San Benito is uncertain as school board members plan a town hall meeting to discuss potential closure due to declining enrollment. Superintendent Fred Perez said: "It’s a difficult decision for any administration to have to close a campus," as the school's enrollment has plummeted from 370 students in 2020 to just 164. The meeting aims to gather feedback from parents regarding the school's future. If closure occurs, parents will have the option to send their children to nearby La Paloma Elementary School or Judge Oscar de la Fuente Elementary School, with transportation provided by the district. The total district enrollment currently stands at approximately 8,624 students.

Clear Creek ISD launches online courses

Clear Creek ISD is set to offer online courses for elementary to ninth-grade students through the Texas Tech K-12 program starting in the 2026-27 school year. The district is finalizing a memorandum of understanding following approval at a recent board meeting. The program, named Clear Teach, will provide asynchronous, TEKS-aligned coursework, catering to students with busy schedules, homeschool families, and those seeking non-traditional schooling options.

Temple ISD shines with 14 awards

Temple ISD recently achieved remarkable recognition at the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) conference, earning 14 Star Awards, including five Gold, four Silver, and five Bronze. Superintendent Bobby Ott received the prestigious 2025 Key Communicator Award, highlighting his significant contributions to public education promotion.

FINANCE

United ISD unveils $14m cost-saving plan

Dr. Gerardo Cruz, United ISD Superintendent, presented a structured $14m cost-saving plan during a special meeting, aimed at addressing a $44m deficit while considering the closure of five elementary schools and one middle school due to low enrollment. "We might have to close," said District 1 board member Gilbert Aguilar Jr., emphasizing the need for responsible decisions for students. The plan includes ten measures, such as reducing contract days, implementing a hiring freeze, and modifying transportation routes, with estimated savings of nearly $14m.

School board rejects LNG tax break

The Point Isabel School Board unanimously rejected a $160m tax abatement application from Texas LNG Brownsville LLC during a recent meeting. Texas LNG is developing a $4bn LNG facility and sought the abatement under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act.

TECHNOLOGY

Cy-Fair ISD embraces AI in classrooms

Cy-Fair ISD is developing a new policy to standardize the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, aiming to guide ethical practices for students and staff. During a recent board meeting, trustees approved the first reading of the policy, which will be refined before final approval. The policy emphasizes that "the use of AI shall only be as a support tool to enhance student outcomes and shall never take the place of the teacher and student decision making." As AI technology becomes more prevalent, districts like CFISD are working to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. Hemant Patel, an instructional coach, highlighted the importance of the policy, remarking: "Instead of being in a position from lagging behind, we can be in a position of responsible leadership." The board plans to revisit the policy later this school year for further discussion and approval.

POLICY

Coastal Bend schools skip prayer period

In response to Texas Senate Bill 11, many Coastal Bend school boards decided against implementing a dedicated prayer period during the school day. While students can still pray independently or form religious clubs, the boards opted to maintain existing policies that prioritize academic instruction over devotional practices. Adriana Tagle, Superintendent of Banquete ISD, said: "Administration recognizes and respects the importance of personal prayer and the reading of religious texts in the lives of many students and families." However, logistical challenges and concerns about religious freedom influenced the decision. Corpus Christi ISD, among others, voted not to adopt the prayer period, emphasizing that students already have the freedom to practice their religion.

GOVERNANCE

New book calls on school leaders to move beyond crisis mode

Kim Wallace’s Game-Changing Leadership in Action: An Educator’s Companion outlines practical ways for school and system leaders to manage rising pressures while driving change that lasts. She points to decision fatigue, isolation, staffing shortages, declining morale, and initiative overload that can weaken trust and effectiveness. Wallace argues generic leadership development falls short and calls for personalized, job-embedded learning matched to each leader’s context and real-time challenges. Her framework integrates three domains—personal, environmental, and institutional—to support sustainability over quick wins.

NUTRITION

School lunches: a tale of two countries

Clara Hogan, an American mother living in Bologna, Italy, has been comparing her children's school lunches to those in the U.S. After moving to Italy for her husband's MBA, Hogan noted: "Moving abroad with two little kids was not easy," but they have settled into their new life. She highlights the significant differences in school lunches, noting: "It's not just about healthy meals, it's about learning a healthy, positive relationship with food." In Italy, her children enjoy a variety of nutritious meals, including pasta and meatballs, while U.S. parents express concerns over the quality and time allotted for meals. Hogan's viral TikTok video on this topic has sparked discussions about child nutrition, emphasizing that "what we feed kids in school matters."
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