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Texas lawmakers have approved SB 2, a significant $1bn education bill that allows families to utilize public funds for private school tuition. This legislation, which has garnered support from President Donald Trump, is seen as a major win for school voucher advocates. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign the bill into law promptly. The program aims to assist up to 90,000 students in its first year, with potential growth to nearly $4.5bn annually by 2030. Supporters argue that the vouchers will enable parents to move their children from underperforming public schools, while critics contend that it will undermine public education by diverting essential resources. As Abbott noted, “the push in Texas had failed in the face of stiff resistance,” but this new measure marks a turning point in the ongoing debate over educational choice.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Texas Tribune

Explore the 2025 Honorees from Texas!

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Two federal judges have restricted the Trump administration's enforcement of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) directives aimed at schools and colleges. The rulings, from judges in Maryland and New Hampshire, were prompted by lawsuits from the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, among others. They argue that the department overstepped its authority with the directives, noting also that the restrictions curb academic freedom. Judge Stephanie Gallagher said: “The government cannot proclaim entire categories of classroom content discriminatory to sidestep the bounds of its statutory authority,” highlighting the administration's procedural missteps. Judge Landya McCafferty noted that the vagueness of the directives could lead schools to eliminate DEI programs to avoid penalties. The Education Department's perceived lack of clarity on what constitutes impermissible DEI practices has raised concerns among educators. The unions hailed the rulings as a victory for educational freedom and equity. The case will now proceed as the court considers whether to permanently block the Department’s directive.  

 

Politico

Education Week News

NEA

New York Times

For the first time in two years, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has published the performance accountability ratings for school districts, following a legal dispute. Miguel Solis, President of the Commit Partnership, emphasized the importance of these ratings for parents, adding: "If you're a parent, you need a clear view of how schools are performing so you can make informed enrollment decisions." The A-F rating system, established in 2017, evaluates student achievement, school progress, and gap closure. The last complete ratings were issued over five years ago due to COVID-19. In Grayson County, Van Alstyne ISD and Bells ISD topped the rankings with a 90% score, while Sherman ISD and S&S CISD ranked the lowest. The ratings for the 2023-2024 school year remain unavailable due to an ongoing lawsuit.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Community Impact Newspaper

Community Impact Newspaper

Community Impact Newspaper

Community Impact Newspaper

Caller-Times

Wichita Falls Times Record News

Allen American

Fort Bend Herald

Star-Telegram

Star-Telegram

Star-Telegram

The Texas Tribune

Celina ISD is anticipating a significant increase in student enrollment, projecting a tripling of its current 5,300 students to nearly 16,000 in the next five to six years. To accommodate this growth, the district is asking voters to approve a historic bond package totaling nearly $2.3bn. Superintendent Tom Maglisceau said: “The toll road just keeps coming north, and we're now starting to see the same progress that all the districts just below us were experiencing.” The bond will fund the construction of 11 new schools and technology upgrades across existing campuses. Proposition A seeks over $2.275bn for new elementary, middle, and high schools, while Proposition B requests $20m for technology enhancements. The district aims to manage growth without increasing the tax rate, despite rising property values in the area. Mayor Ryan Tubbs emphasized the focus on essential school facilities, stating: “It is just schools and an operations facility.”

 

Dallas News

In a seventh-grade classroom at Lively Middle School in Austin, Texas, students are analyzing the works of Gabriel García Márquez — an academic feat that defies expectations for their age. Their teacher, Wendell Norris Marquez, leads an advanced Spanish literature course typically reserved for high schoolers, thanks to a robust bilingual foundation built through dual-language programs many began in preschool. This sophisticated instruction is made possible by Texas' long-standing investment in bilingual education, which mandates programs in districts where at least 20 students in a grade speak the same non-English language. Texas enrolls 38% of its English learners in bilingual education programs, more than double California’s 18%, and research shows its students consistently outperform their Californian peers on national assessments. Experts credit Texas’ stronger funding, policy mandates, and bipartisan support, including a 2019 law that boosts funding for dual-language programs.

 

EdSource

Judson ISD is currently navigating a challenging budget season, with officials exploring revenue-generating and cost-saving measures. The initial budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year indicates expenditures exceeding revenue by $47.89m. Chief of finance Larry Guerra highlighted that a voter-approved tax rate election (VATRE) could potentially generate up to $23m in revenue. However, cost-cutting options, such as reducing pay for District of Innovation teachers, faced opposition. Assistant Superintendent Nicole Taguinod emphasized the importance of retaining talented teachers, stating, "I think that it's working, we've found a lot of great teachers." The board will continue discussions on budget matters, with a final proposal expected in June.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Texas is addressing its teacher shortage with House Bill 2, which mandates that all K-5 math and reading teachers be certified by fall 2026, and all teachers in core subjects by fall 2027. Emily Garcia, chief education officer at Teach Us Texas, stated, “It is a really clear shift toward ensuring that our youngest learners are taught by teachers who have been prepared and demonstrated through certification.” The bill aims to reduce the reliance on uncertified teachers, which has surged from fewer than 2,000 a decade ago to over 8,400 in 2023. The legislation includes incentives for teachers to get certified, but Garcia warns that without stronger support systems, financial incentives alone may not suffice. The bill is progressing quickly, having been approved by the House on April 17, sending it on to the Senate.

 

The Austin Chronicle

Children face significant asthma challenges at school, often more than at home, due to limited access to medication. A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global highlights the effectiveness of school-based asthma therapy programs. Lead researcher Kimberly Arcoleo from Michigan State University noted, “We help families get better adherence to kids' asthma control medication regimens by having the school nurses give them their meds.” The study tracked 633 children in Columbus, Ohio, revealing a 56% increase in asthma control and substantial reductions in hospital visits. The program, which costs about $3,000 per student annually, can drop to $500 once established, leading to significant healthcare savings. Additionally, students experienced less missed instructional time and improved behavior, benefiting both their learning and school funding. Arcoleo's team plans further economic evaluations to assess the program's broader impact.

 

U.S. News

Santa Fe ISD has been grappling with a significant cyber event that has disrupted internet and phone services for several days. Parents are expressing concerns about the lack of transparency from the district, with Claudia Covarrubias stating, "I need a clear back and white answer. The transparency is not there." While the district has restored some services, including the visitor check-in system, the outage has led to the rescheduling of STAAR testing for junior high and high school students. Parents are worried about the potential exposure of sensitive information, although Jessica Knowles reassured that the district claimed, "all that stuff is very private and is safe." The district has involved law enforcement and an external cybersecurity firm to address the situation.

 

KTRK-TV

The Lewisville Police Department is currently investigating a potential threat at Lewisville High School's Main Campus. Officers were dispatched "out of an abundance of caution," ensuring the safety of students and staff while maintaining normal school operations. Authorities confirmed there is no immediate danger, and the school remains fully operational. The department stated: “We understand the concern this may cause and appreciate your patience and support.” They urged the community to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely on official channels for updates.

 

The Cross Timbers Gazette

The upcoming election for the Carthage ISD School Board At Large Member – District 6 seat features candidates Sequoise Givens and Ben Donald. Both candidates have submitted their photos and bios for voter consideration.

 

Allen American

In a tragic incident in Nantes, France, a 15-year-old high school student was killed and three others injured during a stabbing at the Notre-Dame de Toutes-Aides grammar school. According to a police spokesperson, there is "no indication of a terrorist motive." The student was subdued by teachers before police arrived on the scene. A youth is now in custody. President Emmanuel Macron said: "Through their intervention, teachers likely prevented other tragedies. Their courage demands respect." Prime Minister Francois Bayrou urged "an intensification of controls in and around schools" following the attack. He called for a response to the "endemic violence" among some youths and demanded proposals to prevent further knife attacks. Bayrou also said that secure gates at all schools was a possibility. 

 

France 24

New York Times

US News and World Report

Andra Penny, the principal of Cottonwood Creek Elementary School in Coppell ISD, has been named a 2025 distinguished principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for Texas. With a career spanning 30 years, Penny has focused on the holistic development of her students and staff. Her innovative methods and commitment to fostering a healthy learning environment have garnered her international recognition as an outstanding leader. As she stated, her dedication has led to this prestigious acknowledgment, highlighting her impact on education.

 

Allen American