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On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of students with disabilities in the case of A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, making it easier for them to seek damages under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote: “We hold today that ADA and Rehabilitation Act claims based on educational services should be subject to the same standards that apply in other disability discrimination contexts. That our decision is narrow does not diminish its import for A.J.T. and a great many children with disabilities and their parents. Together they face daunting challenges on a daily basis. We hold today that those challenges do not include having to satisfy a more stringent standard of proof than other plaintiffs to establish discrimination” under the two federal laws. The case arose from the situation of Ava Tharpe, a Minnesota student with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, who faced challenges in receiving appropriate educational accommodations after moving to a new school district. The ruling overturns a previous requirement for a higher standard of proof, allowing families to pursue claims without facing undue burdens. The decision is seen as a significant step in protecting the rights of students with disabilities.

 

EdSource

Education Week News

New York Times

Washington Post

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population.
School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

In 2018, Dallas ISD adopted a policy aimed at achieving racial equity in education, which was amended in 2020 to specifically support Black students following the murder of George Floyd. However, in 2025, the district is considering revisions that may eliminate the term "equity" from its policy. The proposed changes focus on "accountability in education," emphasizing fair treatment for all students while acknowledging differing individual circumstances. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde stated, “Truthfully, all I'm doing is I'm using synonyms for the same work,” indicating that the mission remains unchanged despite the language shift. The proposed revisions reflect a broader political movement against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in Texas, with recent legislation targeting DEI practices.

 

Dallas News

Fort Worth ISD has approved the closure of 18 campuses over the next four years, aiming to save millions and redirect funds towards academic priorities. This decision comes amid declining enrollment and challenges faced by many Texas school districts. According to data from the Texas Education Agency, Fort Worth ISD ranks third in the state for the number of closures, following El Paso ISD and San Antonio ISD. The closures will predominantly affect elementary schools, with five of the 18 schools receiving an F score in the state's 2024 accountability ratings. The district's decision was influenced by factors such as enrollment, building utilization, and community input.

 

Star-Telegram

Frisco ISD is set to accept more out-of-district students and expand in-district transfer options due to an anticipated decline in enrollment. Families moving out of the district or those with a grandparent in FISD boundaries can remain or enroll in the district. The new transfer options include stay-put, legacy, and grandparent transfers, with specific windows for applications. Kimberly Smith, FISD's chief finance and strategy officer, noted that the district expects a drop of 7,000 students by 2029, marking a 10% decrease from its peak in 2022.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Alvin ISD has been recognized as the eighth largest growing district in the Greater Houston area, according to the Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) report presented at the board of trustees meeting on June 10. Over the past five years, the district has seen an increase of over 3,000 students, an 11% rise. Enrollment is projected to rise by nearly 23%, adding approximately 7,000 students by the 2034-35 school year. The report also highlights that 17 single-family developments are underway, expected to yield over 20,000 new single-unit occupancies. PASA notes that this growth “could drive the need for four new elementary schools and one new junior high school in the next 10 years.” The district's 2024 bond will support the construction of two new elementary schools and one junior high school, along with land acquisition for future school sites.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Midland ISD has approved a new compensation plan that includes state-mandated raises for teachers. The board's decision came during a special meeting where they discussed the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The plan, which aligns with Texas House Bill 2, mandates that teachers with three to four years of experience receive $2,500, while those with five or more years will receive $5,000. The district also plans to implement a 2% general pay increase for various staff members and a 1% increase for administrative employees. The compensation plan aims to attract new hires and ensure competitive salaries, with changes reflected in July and August paychecks.

 

My West Texas

Fort Bend ISD is strategizing the allocation of $65.4m in leftover funds from previous bonds to address urgent projects within the $1.26bn 2023 bond. Key priorities include $12m for slab repairs at Madden Elementary and $6.2m for an Olympic-style aquatics center. Board President Kristin Tassin raised concerns about cost transparency, asking: "How are we coming up with those numbers?" Chief financial officer Bryan Guinn outlined several proposals for the funds, including $21.2m for unexpected maintenance needs and $8.2m for a special education transportation facility.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Taylor ISD held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 12 to celebrate the completion of improvements to its career and technical education (CTE) facilities, funded by a 2022 bond and a $1m donation from Samsung Austin Semiconductor. The renovations, part of a $37.5m second phase of bond construction, were completed in May and included essential equipment and training for classrooms and dual credit labs. Jon Taylor, corporate vice president of Samsung, emphasized the importance of this investment in education. The event also launched a new CTE pathway for electronics technology, preparing students for high-demand engineering careers.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees is to meet next week to discuss hiring several principals and administrators, including positions at Blanton, Dowling, and Noel elementary schools. The agenda also includes the approval of the 2025-26 compensation plan and revisions to local board policy regarding compensation and benefits. Notable recognitions during the meeting will include Chris Stanley receiving the Split Gavel Award and students Krish Patel and Ajay Gundlapalli being honored for their achievements in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and the Congressional App Challenge, respectively. The board will also review the 2025-2026 District Improvement Plan and the Student Code of Conduct.

 

Odessa American

On June 5, the Judson ISD board of trustees appointed Eric Pawkett and Elizardo Hernandez as the new principals of Judson High School and Judson CARE Academy, respectively. Pawkett, who has 18 years of educational experience, previously served as an associate principal at Judson High School and has held various roles including academic dean and instructional coach.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Chris Bryant has been appointed as the new principal of Legacy High School in Midland ISD, effective next month. With over 20 years of experience in education, Bryant has a strong connection to the school, having served as a science teacher and soccer coach. He will work closely with outgoing Principal Mich Etzel to ensure a smooth transition while engaging in summer planning for the upcoming school year.

 

My West Texas

Collaborative Student Transportation has named Sara Houle as president. She joined the company as chief administrative officer in early 2023 and went on to serve as chief operating officer and most recently vice president of engagement and compliance. The Minnesota-based alternative transportation provider currently serves over 5,000 students in 15 states across the U.S. "It’s an incredible honor to lead a team so dedicated to creating safe, reliable, and student-centered transportation solutions," she commented. "I’m grateful for the trust and support, and I’m looking forward to the work ahead, strengthening partnerships, supporting schools and families, and continuing to put students first every day."

 

School Bus Fleet

Senate Bill 12 is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature, which could effectively ban LGBTQ-centered clubs in public schools. Authored by Texas Senator Brandon Creighton, the bill mandates that school districts "not authorize or sponsor a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity." It also prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including the consideration of race, gender, or sexuality in hiring. Ash Hall, a policy strategist with the ACLU of Texas, criticized the bill, stating, "S.B. 12 imposes a 'Don't Say LGBTQIA+' rule that mimics Florida's widely criticized law." The ACLU has tracked 88 anti-LGBTQ bills during the 2025 legislative session, raising concerns about the mental health of LGBTQ youth in Texas.

 

Chron.com

Mina Etemadi, a recent high school graduate, shares her transformative experience that led her to pursue a career in teaching. S. Kambar Khoshaba, a principal in Lorton, Virginia., highlights the alarming decline in students aspiring to become teachers, emphasizing the need for a “grow your own” approach to address teacher shortages. Khoshaba believes that by nurturing students' aspirations, schools can cultivate committed educators who understand their communities. Etemadi reflects on her participation in the hiring process for an assistant principal, commented “I felt seen, respected, and valued,” igniting her passion for teaching. She recognizes the challenges educators face, including burnout and lack of support, and advocates for policies that honor teachers' expertise and mental health. Etemadi concludes that teaching is about shaping lives and meeting students where they are, stating, “Teachers are builders. They shape lives, lift voices, and carry stories.”

 

Education Week News

In a bid to maintain fairness during the highly competitive gaokao exams, the annual national undergraduate admission exam in mainland China, major Chinese tech companies have disabled artificial intelligence (AI) functions. Over 13.3m students are currently taking these crucial exams, which determine university placements. Notably, Doubao, owned by ByteDance, informed users that "during the college entrance examination, according to relevant requirements, the question answering service will be suspended." Other AI tools, including DeepSeek and Yuanbao, have also restricted their services during exam hours. Additionally, AI monitoring tools are being employed to detect cheating behaviours, with strict consequences for any violations reported.

 

The Guardian