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Texas has released formal guidelines for its new $1bn Education Freedom Accounts, a voucher program that allows families to use taxpayer funds for private schooling, homeschooling, or specialised services. Supporters argue the scheme expands educational choice, while critics warn it will divert money from already underfunded public schools. Eligible families can receive about $10,800 per student for private school tuition, up to $30,000 for students with disabilities, and $2,000 for homeschooled children. Enrollment for schools and vendors opens on Dec. 9, with families able to apply starting February 4, though funding is expected to cover only around 90,000 of Texas’s more than 5m school-aged children. The program will be overseen by the State Comptroller’s Office, which will conduct annual audits, though some calls for greater transparency were rejected.

 

KTRK-TV

Star-Telegram

Killeen ISD (KISD) is implementing a complex plan to address the challenges faced by three failing middle schools: Eastern Hills, Manor, and Palo Alto. Following a directive from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), KISD adopted a turnaround strategy on November 4. This includes closing Eastern Hills and Palo Alto at the end of the school year, with students transferring to nearby schools. KISD spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said, “The turnaround plans will follow the students as they move to their new schools in the fall of 2026.” The district anticipates significant logistical challenges, including accommodating an influx of students and hiring additional staff. Financially, KISD expects to save $106.6m over five years through these changes, but the success of the plan in improving student performance remains uncertain. TEA has also flagged six other campuses with D ratings, indicating broader concerns within the district.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Jim Buzan, a local business owner and Rotary Club of Taylor president, recently helped deliver over 150 books to Naomi Pasemann and T.H. Johnson elementary schools. This initiative, funded by a grant from the District Assistance Program, marks the third consecutive year the club has supported T.H. Johnson, the only Pre-K through Kindergarten campus in Taylor ISD. "We were able to purchase 170 brand new books, including several new releases," said Rotary Treasurer Michael Prillaman. Julie Snyder, the librarian at Pasemann, collaborated with students to compile a wish list of desired titles. "We’re grateful. This is a blessing," Snyder said, expressing appreciation for the donation. Despite concerns about declining literacy rates, Snyder noted: "These kids are smart, they care, they’re fun to work with." Prillaman emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying: "We believe this is a very meaningful project with a tremendous impact."

 

Taylor Daily Press

Cheetah Pantry, initiated by Mickayla Lewis, the Parent Teacher Organization president at Charter Oak Elementary School, aims to support students and families in need. The pantry provides weekly meal kits to those who do not qualify for other assistance but require help. “We provide them healthy, safe meals that's not just Ramen or ravioli or canned foods,” Lewis said, emphasizing the importance of nutritious options. The pantry, which began with personal funds from PTO members, now serves up to 12 families weekly.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

North Lamar ISD has partnered with Credit Union of Texas to establish the district's first student-run SMART Branch at North Lamar High School, set to open in fall 2026. This initiative is part of the Career and Technical Education program, aimed at providing students with practical banking experience. The SMART Branch, which stands for Servant leadership, Motivation, Active learning, Reasoning, and Technology, will be fully operated by students, who will hold various roles such as Bank Manager and teller. Eric Pointer, president and chief executive of Credit Union of Texas, said, “Opening a SMART Branch in North Lamar ISD continues that legacy by giving students practical financial skills.” The branch will also offer financial literacy programs in collaboration with the National Endowment for Financial Education, ensuring students gain essential skills for their future.

 

Paris News

After eight years on the Edgewood ISD board, trustee Luis Gomez has resigned due to health issues. At a November 18 meeting, the board accepted his resignation and appointed former trustee Richard Santoyo to fill the vacant Position 7 seat. Gomez, a Vietnam War veteran, cited his heart condition linked to Agent Orange exposure as the reason for stepping down, stating: "I just want to thank the community."

 

Star-Telegram

A national study in JAMA found that a one-week social media detox significantly improved mental health in 18- to 24-year-olds. Participants who paused use of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat saw reduced anxiety (16%), depression (25%), and insomnia (15%). The largest gains were seen in those with existing moderate to severe depression. Despite reduced social media use, overall phone time slightly increased. “Brief digital detox interventions may offer meaningful mental health benefits,” the study noted, especially for youth with compulsive or problematic social media habits.

 

Ed Source

A new type of lens, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aims to slow the progression of nearsightedness, or myopia, in children aged 6 to 12. The Essilor Stellest lenses, which utilize concentric rings to refocus light, have shown a 70% reduction in myopia progression over two years. Dr. Michael Repka from Johns Hopkins noted, “It was typically and simply: ‘Your child needs to wear glasses and they'll live with it.’” The lenses are expected to cost around $450, with major vision insurance providers likely covering them. Unlike contact lenses, which are also FDA-approved for myopia, these glasses offer a more comfortable alternative for younger children. While the lenses have shown promising results, further research in the U.S. is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

 

U.S. News

Writing for The Hechinger Report, Jackie Mader reflects on her own child care journey and shares top early childhood resources drawn from a decade of reporting. These include guides on identifying quality preschools, understanding risks of unsafe sleep products, building early math skills, navigating conversations about race, and supporting learning through play. One key insight from researcher Charlotte Anne Wright is that “guided play” offers educational value without heavy demands on parents. Mader’s compilation serves as a practical toolkit for families seeking informed approaches to early childhood development.

 

The Miami Herald

Hailey Delgado, a sophomore wrestler at Eastwood High, has been named a preseason All-American by FloWrestling, recognized as a second team selection at 105 pounds. This inaugural Nike Wrestling Preseason All-American Team highlights the top eight high school wrestlers in each weight class nationwide. Delgado's impressive achievements include winning the 105-pound division at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, and earning a gold medal for Team USA at the U15 Pan American Championships in Panama City, Panama. Last season, she also clinched the Texas Class 6A title at 100 pounds, contributing to the Troopers' team state title. "Delgado has shown remarkable talent and dedication," said Felix F. Chavez.

 

El Paso Times

In the fall 2025 semester, new international student enrollment at U.S. institutions decreased by 17%, primarily due to visa restrictions and government policies, according to a report from the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education (IIE). This decline is projected to cost the economy $1.1bn, as international students contributed nearly $55bn to the U.S. economy during the 2024-25 academic year. Bjorn Markeson, an economist at Implan, stated: "International students do far more than attend classes—they sustain local economies." The U.S. has historically been the leading host for international students, but the enrollment pipeline is under pressure, with fewer students choosing to study in the U.S. due to restrictive visa policies and changing attitudes abroad. Fanta Aw, NAFSA's executive director and CEO, remarked on the precarious position of global talent in the U.S., emphasizing the ripple effects of these policy changes on campuses and communities.

 

CNBC

Following a U.K. Supreme Court ruling which found that religious education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools have failed to comply with human rights law, Minister for Education Paul Givan has issued guidance to school leaders insisting that "both Religious Education and collective worship continue to be a legal requirement," and that the judgement has not struck down existing legislation. The court recently upheld a 2022 ruling by the High Court in Belfast that religious education and Christian worship were not conveyed in an “objective, critical and pluralistic manner” and therefore breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). A child, known as JR87, and her father sought a judicial review after she took part in non-denominational Christian religious education and collective worship as part of the curriculum at a controlled primary school, a common form of state-funded school, in Belfast. Her parents “did not wish her to be taught that Christianity was an absolute truth” and in 2019 voiced concerns that their daughter’s education “did not appear to conform with their own religious and philosophical convictions." Givan has said he will provide further "legally sound" and comprehensive guidance to schools in the coming weeks, and that his department has "requested further legal advice to understand the full implications of the judgment." 

 

BBC News

The Irish Times