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A Texas district court has mandated that the Uvalde school district and sheriff's office release all records related to the Robb Elementary School shooting, including police body camera footage and 911 calls. This decision, announced last week by the 38th Judicial District Court of Uvalde County, responds to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of news organizations, led by The Texas Tribune, after their open-records requests were consistently denied. The ruling highlights a significant move towards governmental transparency following the May 24, 2022 tragedy that left 19 children and two adults dead. The public and media argued that access to these records is crucial to understand the failures in police response during the incident, which significantly delayed confronting the teenage gunman. While Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell opposed the release, citing potential interference with ongoing criminal investigations, the court's decision underscores the importance of public knowledge and accountability in such critical incidents. The entities involved have been given until July 28 to comply with the order.

 

USA Today

The Texas Tribune

U.S. News

A new report from the Government Accountability Office reveals that a student's race, gender, and disability status heavily influence their likelihood of being arrested. The report analyzed data from the 2015-16 and 2017-18 school years and found that students of color, particularly Black students, and students with disabilities face disproportionate disciplinary measures. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian/Alaska Native students are arrested at two to three times the rate of their white peers. The report also highlights the intersectionality of these factors, with Black girls without disabilities having higher arrest rates than white girls with disabilities. The presence of police in schools is associated with higher arrest rates, despite discouragement from education and justice departments. The report recommends collecting arrest and referral data by race and improving data collection practices. The U.S. Department of Education generally agrees with the recommendations. The findings emphasize the need to address the root causes of these disparities and reform police involvement in schools.

 

Education Week News

Recent educational reforms in Oklahoma and Texas have reignited debates about the role of the Bible in public schools. Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters mandated the integration of the Bible into social studies classes for 5th to 12th graders, emphasizing strict compliance. Similarly, Texas introduced optional curriculum materials featuring biblical stories to enhance English/language arts classes. These changes aim to provide cultural and historical insights but have raised concerns about the constitutional implications and the potential exclusion of non-Christian students. Critics argue these moves may infringe on the separation of church and state and could skew historical education by prioritizing Christian perspectives. The initiatives reflect a broader trend in several states towards incorporating religious texts in education, prompting discussions on the balance between educational enrichment and religious neutrality in public schools. 

 

Education Week News

Texas continues to heavily rely on uncertified teachers, raising concerns about their lack of experience and mentoring. It is suggested that uncertified teachers gain experience as substitutes or work alongside veteran teachers before entering the classroom. A recent study by Texas Tech University found that students taught by new uncertified teachers experienced a significant loss in learning compared to those taught by certified educators. Despite this, the number of uncertified teachers in Texas classrooms is nearly equal to the number of certified teachers. Education Commissioner Mike Morath has expressed concern about the trend and warned that hiring uncertified teachers could worsen the teacher retention problem in Texas. State officials must prioritize high-quality alternative certification and traditional education programs to ensure students receive the best trained teachers possible.

 

Dallas News

Temple ISD is projected to experience continued growth in student enrollment. The district, currently serving 8,815 students, is expected to reach 9,955 students by the 2028-29 school year and 11,600 by the 2033-34 school year. Hudson Huff, a consultant with Zonda Education, presented a report to the school board, highlighting the impact of the Central Texas housing market on enrollment trends. Average home prices in Temple ISD have increased significantly since 2014, with new home prices rising by 58% and existing home prices increasing by 80%. The district has several ongoing and planned housing developments, indicating future growth. Recommendations from Zonda Education include expanding Temple High School, constructing a new middle school campus, expanding Kennedy-Powell Elementary, and building a new elementary campus. The report also identifies potential capacity issues at Travis Science Academy, Kennedy-Powell Elementary, and Temple High School.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Temple Daily Telegram

Officials with Killeen ISD will hold a dedication ceremony on Thursday at the new Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School situated south of Chaparral High School at 5360 Chaparral Road in south Killeen. The school, named after former Texas state representative Jimmie Don Aycock, will begin classes next month. The dedication ceremony will feature speeches from Superintendent Jo Ann Fey, school board President Brett Williams, Principal Savannah Jiminez, and Jimmie Don Aycock himself. This campus is the 13th middle school and 53rd campus in the district, and it will house KISD's third STEM program.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

The Jacksonville ISD Board of Trustees has hired Stephanie Burns as the new principal for Jacksonville Middle School. Burns brings 19 years of experience in education, having served in both classroom and administrative roles. She previously worked as the Campus Dean of Students at Moore Middle School in Tyler. Burns is excited about joining the Jacksonville community and plans to prioritize supporting classroom teachers and communicating with the community. She replaces Lisa Schwartz, who resigned to pursue a role at the Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore.

 

Jacksonville Daily Progress

Many Austin-area school districts are facing budget deficits and will start the 2024-25 academic year with tightened budgets. Some districts, including Austin, are planning to ask voters to approve higher tax rates to address the shortfalls. The budgetary challenges are not unique to Central Texas, as school districts across the state are cutting staff and resources due to high inflation, stagnant revenue, and lack of state investment in public education. Districts blame state lawmakers for not advancing additional funding and not approving per-student funding increases.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Killeen ISD trustees will gather to discuss the fiscal year 2025 budget, aiming to pass a balanced budget next month. The proposed deficit of $16.5m could be reduced to $7.7m by not filling certain vacancies and implementing other measures.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Prosper ISD is set to open two new schools this autumn: Daniel L. Jones Middle School and Betty Jackson Elementary School. Both schools are located on the south side of the district. The construction of the schools is in its final stages, with staff already starting to move into the buildings. Teachers are scheduled to move in at the end of July. This expansion is providing more educational opportunities for students in the district.

 

Allen American