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Governor Greg Abbott has announced the launch of Sentinel, a comprehensive system designed to enhance the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff in school buildings across Texas. Provided by the Texas Education Agency's Office of School Safety and Security, Sentinel will enable robust monitoring of school systems' implementation and operation of safety and security policies. The system standardizes Behavioral Threat Assessments (BTAs) into a single reporting mechanism, helping schools identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Sentinel will also play a crucial role in statewide emergency operations by providing timely and accurate information to support decision-making. It will inform schools in the event of emergencies and allow secure communication of guidance and resources. The development of Sentinel was supported by House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 30, which allocated additional funds for school safety. Governor Abbott's directive to create the position of Chief of School Safety and Security further emphasizes the commitment to providing a safe environment for Texas students and school faculty.

 

Texas Border Business

Star-Telegram

A former Uvalde school police officer, Adrian Gonzales, pleaded not guilty during a court appearance for his role in the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. Gonzales was one of the nearly 400 law enforcement personnel who responded to the scene but then waited more than 70 minutes to confront the shooter inside the school. Teary-eyed family members were present in the courtroom as Gonzales was arraigned on charges of abandoning and failing to protect children who were killed and wounded. The case has gained significant attention, with reports from education newsletters and tabloid newspapers highlighting the officer's actions. The incident left 19 children and two teachers dead.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Killeen Daily Herald

Lufkin Daily News

The share of America's school-age children attending public schools has slightly declined from 2014 to 2022, while private schools have seen some growth, according to an analysis by Education Week. In 2022, 84% of children ages five to 17 attended public schools, while 11.8% attended private schools. The remaining percentage represents children who are not attending school or are homeschooled. The drop in public school enrollment is surprising given the growth of the private school choice movement. However, the impact of private school choice programs on enrollment is still emerging. The total number of school-age children has increased slightly, but experts predict a sharp decline in the coming years due to lower birth rates. The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the decline in public school enrollment and the growth of private schools. The reasons for the decline in enrollment include homeschooling, skipping kindergarten, and missing data. The analysis highlights the ongoing competition between public and private schools in the U.S. education system.

 

Education Week News

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a fiery speech at the American Federation of Teachers convention, criticizing former President Donald Trump's agenda as one of "chaos, fear, and hate." She contrasted her own agenda, which includes abortion and LGBTQ rights, gun control, support for organized labor, and student loan debt relief, with Trump's policies. Harris also highlighted the importance of education and thanked her first-grade teacher, Frances Wilson, for inspiring her. She urged the audience to fight for a future focused on freedom, compassion, and the rule of law. Shortly after her speech, Trump's campaign released an education plan that opposes many of the AFT's priorities. The plan calls for cutting federal funding for programs promoting Critical Race Theory and gender ideology, removing radicals from the Department of Education, and giving parents more control over schools. Harris' speech and Trump's plan offer a clear contrast in visions for the future of education in America.

 

EdSource

CNBC

Academic progress is heading in the wrong direction in the years since the pandemic, according to new research published Tuesday by the NWEA, which claims that the average U.S. student needs an additional 4.8 months of school in reading and 4.3 months in math to catch up to pre-pandemic achievement levels. The report analyzes recent test score data from third- to eighth-grade students in 22,400 public schools nationwide. Researchers compared the 2023-24 MAP Growth test scores from about 7.7m students in grades 3-8 from about 22,400 public schools to the data of 11 million similar students in grades 3-8 in the pre-COVID years between 2016 and 2019. Marginalized students continue to be the most likely to be behind, the research shows. "It's disheartening to say the least," said Karyn Lewis, one of the authors of the study and the director of research and policy partnerships at NWEA, adding that the widening achievement gaps in sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade reading levels are especially concerning, she said. The research shows students' reading achievement in those grades dropped below pre-pandemic averages.

 

USA Today

K-12 Dive

During a Tuesday night meeting, Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura informed the school board that the district is proposing to cut at least $78m in expenses over the next two years to prevent its deficit from increasing. The district hopes to reduce about $48m of the deficit in the upcoming school year. Specific cuts have not been determined yet, but potential reductions include smaller class sizes, career and technical program reductions, and eliminating certain social services. The district plans to establish a committee for discussing future cuts and gathering public feedback. The board members will make the final decisions on budget reductions. The district is also considering a tax rate election to raise the property tax rate from 85.95 cents to 95.05 cents per $100 of property valuation. However, a significant portion of the additional revenue generated would be sent back to the state through recapture. The district paid $663.3m in recapture funds last year. The lack of increased per student spending by the Legislature has contributed to the funding challenges faced by the district. The district will hold virtual information sessions to gather feedback on the tax rate election.

 

Austin American-Statesman

As the school year approaches, Angleton ISD is facing challenges with state funding and tax revenue. The district did not meet the school revenue threshold last year and is unlikely to do so this year. Angleton ISD is considered a Chapter 49 school district, which means it relies on tax revenue. However, if the district doesn't meet the threshold, the state will provide additional funding. If the district collects more tax revenue than expected, it must return the excess to the state. The district is close to becoming a Chapter 48 school district, which requires the superintendent to be accountable for performance results. The board of trustees approved this obligation. The district's state aid will fluctuate based on property values and tax revenue. The board also approved donating land for a new softball field. The Student Code of Conduct has been revised to exclude transportation services for students in alternative placement.  

 

The Facts

Jason Marshall, superintendent of the Palestine ISD, shared several events that will quickly usher in the new school year. The district's board meeting was held in the Southside Elementary cafeteria due to remodeling and roofing at the administration building. Marshall announced new teacher orientation, the Back to School Fair, and other important dates. The board approved consent items and personnel recommendations. Trustee Michael Bennett requested the district add language to its proposed policy. Action items included passing a $500 employee retention bonus and approval of Marshall's request for authority to hire personnel. The board tabled the decision to nominate candidates to attend the annual Texas Association of School Boards meeting.

 

Palestine Herald

The Jacksonville ISD has announced that Cheli Vasquez, a dedicated educator at Nichols Intermediate School, has been honored with the prestigious Region 7 Secondary Teacher of the Year Award. Vasquez has been a driving force at JISD for 18 years and is known for her ability to connect with students and contribute to a positive and supportive school community. She obtained her college degree while working at JISD and has been a teacher for the past 5 years. Brad Stewart, superintendent of Jacksonville ISD, praised Vasquez's creativity, compassion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. The Regional Teacher of the Year Award recognizes educators who make a difference in their students' lives.

 

Jacksonville Daily Progress

Georgetown ISD has updated its policy for over-the-counter medications. Students now require signatures from both a parent and medical provider to take these medications during the school day. The policy update aligns the district's health services department with best practices per the Nursing Practice Act and Texas Board of Nursing. The medications that require signatures include ibuprofen or acetaminophen, oral or topical allergy medication, and insect bite or burn gel. This new policy aims to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Community Impact Newspaper

Midland ISD and IDEA Public Schools have announced that they will be implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs for the upcoming school year. CEP is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. Schools participating in CEP will provide free breakfast and lunch to all children.

 

Star-Telegram

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing changes to vehicle seating standards to better protect occupants, including students on school buses. The proposal seeks to create stronger standards for vehicle seat backs to help prevent them from collapsing or experiencing excessive deformation during rear-end collisions. NHTSA is looking into the existing standard as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The proposal includes updating specifications for the materials used in seat construction and specific limits on how much a seat back can recline or rotate backward during a crash. NHTSA is also proposing introducing additional dynamic tests to simulate real-world rear-end crashes. In 1974, NHTSA commissioned a study on the safety of occupants in large school buses and developed the concept of seating compartmentalization. NHTSA is also promoting the development and use of new head restraint designs that offer better protection against whiplash and other neck injuries in rear-end collisions. Comments on the proposal must be received no later than September 16.

 

School Bus Fleet