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Texas’s new school voucher program has drawn more than 160,000 applications, far exceeding the roughly 90,000 to 100,000 students expected to receive funding. Early figures suggest many applicants may already be outside public schools, with about 117,000 reporting they did not attend one last year. Critics say that raises doubts about whether the program is reaching its intended students. Comptroller Kelly Hancock said: “We are expecting to sell out in year one,” while officials noted many applicants may be entering school for the first time.

 

KTRK-TV

Dallas News

Why Great Teachers Don’t Guess When It Comes to Support

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In 2025, Texas lawmakers made significant changes to special education funding, addressing a $1.7bn gap between district spending and state support. The new law introduces an eight-tiered model to classify student needs, aiming to provide more accurate funding based on individual requirements. The number of students receiving special education services has nearly doubled since 2014, now encompassing about 15.3% of Texas students. This increase follows improved reporting and compliance with federal standards after previous caps on enrollment.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Schools across the U.S. have severed ties with Lifetouch Photography following revelations linking its parent company to Jeffrey Epstein. The controversy arose after social media posts highlighted connections between Apollo Global Management, which acquired Lifetouch's parent company, and Epstein. Elaina Polsen, chief of Communications & Strategic Initiatives for Clear Creek ISD, emphasized: “The Clear Creek Independent School District prioritizes student safety, data privacy and family partnerships.” Many districts, including those in Galveston County, confirmed they do not use Lifetouch, while others have canceled or postponed photography services. Lifetouch Group chief executive Ken Murphy stated that the company adheres to federal student privacy laws and does not sell or license student photographs for AI training.

 

The Galveston County Daily News

Securly’s review of nearly 1.2m student interactions with generative AI found that about 20% involved cheating, bullying, self-harm, or other problematic behavior, while 2% signaled possible safety risks such as violence or cyberbullying. Most flagged misuse centered on students trying to get AI to do their schoolwork. Tammy Wincup, chief executive of Securly, said: “When a district actually sets some guardrails and policies around their AI usage in schools, 80% of the conversations happening are within the district's policies.” The findings highlight both the scale of student experimentation with AI and the need for stronger oversight.

 

Education Week News

According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, middle and high school students spend over two hours of their school day on smartphones, checking their devices an average of 64 times. Lead researcher Eva Telzer, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, said: "Smartphones are no longer something students use occasionally during school, they're present during every hour of the day." The study found that frequent phone checking is linked to diminished attention and impulse control, which are essential for academic success. Senior researcher Kaitlyn Burnell noted that social media and entertainment account for over 70% of students' screen time during school hours. The findings suggest that implementing policies to limit smartphone access during instructional time may enhance students' focus and engagement.

 

U.S. News

Mark Ramirez, the superintendent of Lake Worth ISD, has resigned following a special board meeting. The decision came with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) taking over the district due to a fifth consecutive F rating for one of its schools. Ramirez's last day is Friday, and the TEA will appoint a conservator, Andrew Kim, to oversee the district. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath stated: “If they had taken the steps to bring Dr. Ramirez in five years ago, I highly doubt we'd be having this conversation.” The takeover could last several years until significant academic improvements are demonstrated. The board also approved staff layoffs as part of the transition, with changes expected at Marilyn Miller Language Academy, the school that triggered the takeover.

 

Star-Telegram

Austin ISD is considering a partnership with the Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS) and Education Service Center Region 1 to manage three struggling middle schools in North Austin. This move aims to prevent a potential state takeover due to poor academic performance. Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized the urgency, stating: “There is growth, but to get to a C, that would be unlikely.” The proposed 1882 charter partnership would allow TCIS to implement International Baccalaureate programming, which has a track record of improving school performance. The partnership is expected to provide a two-year pause on accountability ratings, giving the schools time to improve. Austin ISD must finalize the agreement by March 31 to submit to the Texas Education Agency.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Superintendent Jaime Aquino of San Antonio ISD announced his retirement just two weeks after highlighting his tenure during a February editorial meeting. Aquino, who has served for four-and-a-half years, noted that "this is by far the most challenging year that I face in public education." His retirement, effective January 2027, comes amid rising turnover rates among urban school superintendents, with a recent study from the Council of the Great City Schools indicating an average tenure of under three years post-pandemic. The search for Aquino's successor will be the district's second since the pandemic, as SAISD grapples with declining enrollment and potential state intervention due to academic performance issues.

 

Star-Telegram

Two North Texas school districts are searching for new leaders following the retirement announcements of Irving ISD Superintendent Magda Hernández and Prosper ISD Superintendent Holly Ferguson. Hernández, who has a 34-year career in education, will leave her position in December, while Ferguson will transition to a superintendent emeritus role in May after leading Prosper ISD through significant growth.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Dallas News

Eanes ISD is considering a significant bond proposal for May 2027, potentially amounting to $900m. Chief financial officer Chris Scott said the plan includes $800m for construction and $100m for maintenance. The Long-Range Facility Planning Committee has recommended various projects, including modernizing schools and establishing a four-elementary school model. Meanwhile, Lake Travis ISD has named its second high school Highland Lakes High School, set to open in the 2029-30 school year. The district received over 1,950 responses for the name selection. Both districts recently voted against a resolution for a voluntary period of prayer during the school day, with LTISD General Counsel Chad Crowson noting that students can still engage in voluntary prayer under existing laws.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

A $45,000 grant from Meta is set to enhance the science, technology, math, and engineering (STEM) program across Belton ISD's elementary schools. School officials announced the funding on Monday, highlighting its potential to expand educational opportunities in these critical fields. The initiative aims to foster a stronger foundation in STEM subjects for students, preparing them for future challenges and careers.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Temple Daily Telegram

Lewisville ISD is set to enhance its educational facilities following the approval of targeted improvement plans for several schools. The Board of Trustees sanctioned upgrades for Huffines Middle School, Lakeview Middle School, Lewisville High School, and Rockbrook Elementary School. 

 

Allen American

Longview ISD's esports program has achieved remarkable success, securing five automatic bids to the TexSEF Undisputed State Championship. The momentum began at the Brownsboro “Brawl in the Boro” tournament, where the high school team clinched first place, followed by additional victories at the Region 7 ESC esports tournament.

 

Longview News-Journal

Killeen ISD announced that four students from the KISD Career Center qualified for a national education competition after excelling at the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) State Competition.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Temple ISD has partnered with Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor Scott & White Health to create healthcare pathways for Temple High School students. Starting this fall, nearly 150 freshmen will engage in extracurricular health and biomedical science activities, with plans to expand to upperclassmen in subsequent years. The program aims to bridge the gap between education and local healthcare careers, providing students with hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities. The initiative is expected to strengthen the local healthcare workforce and enhance career prospects for students.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Three finalists for the 2026–27 National Middle School Principal of the Year award say fostering a strong sense of belonging is key to improving attendance, behavior, and academic success. Deborah Dennie, principal of Leonardtown Middle School in Maryland, uses creative incentives and community connections to motivate students to attend school. One initiative included inviting Miss Maryland, Maria Derisavi, to encourage students to show up every day. Dennie built excitement with trivia, videos, and prizes ahead of the visit, part of a broader effort to keep students engaged throughout the school year. Her school’s attendance rate has risen to 94.5%, up from 93% the previous year. Sonia Ruiz, principal of Jane Addams Middle School in Illinois, gathers regular feedback from students through surveys to understand what makes them feel connected to school. Using the responses, she implemented a “2x10” strategy in which teachers spend two minutes a day for ten days building relationships with students who feel disconnected. Ruiz has also adjusted advisory periods to address both academic gaps and social-emotional development. David Wiedlich, principal of Radnor Middle School in Pennsylvania, focuses on ensuring every student is known personally by at least one adult. Twice a year, staff review student photos to identify those who may not yet have strong connections with teachers, and then intentionally work to build relationships with them. All three leaders emphasize that when students feel seen, supported, and connected to their school community, they are more likely to attend regularly, stay engaged, and succeed academically.

 

Education Week News

Alberta school boards have removed at least 166 books, mostly graphic novels, from school libraries after a provincial order required materials depicting explicit sexual acts to be taken out of student access. The move has swept in illustrated classics and books on art, philosophy, gender identity, and memoir. Critics argue the policy amounts to censorship and ignores educational context, while supporters say it is a reasonable way to ensure school libraries offer age-appropriate materials and protect minors from graphic content.

 

CBC News