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The U.S. Department of Education has unexpectedly halted funding for over a dozen community school projects just two weeks before the next funding cycle. The Full-Service Community Schools Program, which supports districts and nonprofits in providing essential services like food and medical care, is affected. Murray Bessette, acting head of the Education Department’s office of planning, evaluation and policy development, stated that the grants are "inconsistent with, and no longer effectuates, the best interest of the Federal Government." Although the specific programs impacted have not been publicly disclosed, advocates estimate that between 12 and 20 programs received termination letters. The 70 programs that were awarded five-year grants are set to receive $380m by 2028, with most in their second or third year of funding. Grantees have less than a week to appeal the decision.

 

EdSource

Parents in Lake Worth ISD have expressed skepticism regarding the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) planned takeover, initiated after the Marilyn Miller Language Academy received a fifth consecutive F rating. TEA commissioner Mike Morath commented: "Lake Worth ISD's low level of student achievement is a long-standing issue," highlighting the district's poor performance on STAAR exams, where only 22% of students met grade level. Concerns about communication from the TEA were raised by parents like Moriah Greathouse, who felt uninformed about the changes. Julie Rosato Ford, a long-time parent, criticized the takeover, saying: "You don't improve districts by taking parents and families out of the equation." Despite the impending changes, many parents believe that the real issues lie at home.

 

Star-Telegram

School districts across the U.S. are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) detection tools, despite evidence indicating their unreliability. Ailsa Ostovitz, a junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Maryland, recently faced accusations of using AI for her assignments, which she vehemently denied. "It's mentally exhausting because it's like I know this is my work," Ostovitz said. The Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) clarified that the district does not fund the AI detection software, advising educators against reliance on such tools due to documented inaccuracies. Mike Perkins, a researcher on academic integrity at British University Vietnam, emphasized: "It's now fairly well established in the academic integrity field that these tools are not fit for purpose." Despite these concerns, districts continue to allocate significant funds for these technologies, raising questions about their effectiveness and the potential for misidentifying student work.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Georgetown's new Ames Elementary School, named after Jessie Daniel Ames, a prominent women's suffrage and civil rights leader in Texas, will open in August. Wes Vanicek, chief of construction and future readiness initiatives, highlighted Ames' significant contributions, saying: "Ames played a pivotal role in expanding voting rights for women locally and across Texas." Born in 1883, Ames founded the Georgetown Equal Suffrage League in 1916 and was instrumental in Texas becoming the first Southern state to ratify the 19th Amendment in 1919. She also led the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching in 1930. The school’s naming follows a community nomination process, reflecting Ames' lasting impact on the Georgetown community.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Argyle ISD is expanding its educational facilities with the approval of new school names by the Board of Trustees. The district's second high school will be called Argyle Legacy High School, set to open in fall 2027, while Scott Gibson Middle School will open in fall 2026. Board member Josh Westrom said: "Legacy seems to be the one," emphasizing the name's significance in honoring the original Argyle High School. The new high school will adopt the Red Hawks mascot and a red, white, and blue color scheme. The current Argyle Middle School will retain its name until a new middle school is established. Whitney Wheeler has been appointed as the first principal of Scott Gibson Middle School.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Cross Timbers Gazette

Celina ISD officials are recommending the opening of a new middle school for fifth and sixth graders while closing the Early Childhood School and relocating its programs to elementary campuses. During a board meeting on December 15, no action was taken, but the district's senior chief Jason Johnston said: "Across stakeholder groups, there was support for the grades 5-6 and grades 7-8 alignments." The plan includes Willard Middle School serving grades 5-6 and Moore Middle School for grades 7-8 for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. The board is expected to vote on attendance boundaries in January or February.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing whole milk to return to the National School Lunch Program for the first time in over a decade. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), aims to enhance nutritional options for students by permitting flavored and unflavored whole and 2% milk in K-12 schools. Marshall said: "This is a win for kids, parents, Kansas dairy farmers, and common sense," adding that it "ensures our children have access to the nutrients they need to grow strong and health." The bill also addresses the need for nondairy alternatives that meet nutritional standards. However, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has raised concerns about the potential increase in saturated fat consumption among children. The legislation has garnered support from various stakeholders, including House Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA), who has long advocated for the return of whole milk to schools.

 

The Columbian

Carroll ISD is considering closing Durham Intermediate School due to a significant enrollment decline of about 655 students and a $7m loss in state funding since 2019. Jeff Brady, Executive Communications Director, highlighted that the district is currently 2,000 students under capacity, claiming: "Our taxpayer dollars are paying to heat, to cool, to insure, to supply, to protect, and to, at times, upgrade empty classrooms without a single student." The school, which serves fifth and sixth graders, is projected to lose an additional 160 students by the 2030-31 school year. The board is expected to discuss the proposal further at a meeting on January 12, with any potential closure occurring no sooner than the fall of 2027. Brady noted that closing Durham could save the district approximately $2.5m in the first year alone.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Fort Bend ISD officials are contemplating the closure of seven campuses due to fluctuating enrollment patterns, as discussed in a board meeting on December 15. Superintendent Marc Smith emphasized that "the boundary scenarios that will be reviewed tonight are not final," indicating that public feedback will play a crucial role in the decision-making process. The proposed closures target campuses with fewer than 600 students and those deemed less stable infrastructurally, according to Bob Templeton from Zonda. Community concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the potential impact on children's education, as expressed by parent Teresa Noyola, who fears that her child may be assigned to a lower-rated school. The board plans to present updated scenarios in January, with final recommendations expected in March.

 

KTRK-TV

Community Impact Newspaper

On December 16, Bastrop ISD officials unanimously appointed Kristi Lee as the new superintendent, following the retirement of Barry Edwards in June. Lee, who served as interim superintendent since July and was named the sole finalist in November, expressed her gratitude, saying: "I am very humbled to be entrusted to be your superintendent." She is the first woman to hold the position in the district and has an extensive educational background, including a master's and doctorate in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University. Lee began her career in business before transitioning to education, where she has held various roles, including teacher and principal. She joined Bastrop ISD in 2016 as the associate superintendent and executive director of communications and community relations.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board of trustees has appointed Rick DeMasters as the interim superintendent, effective December 17. This decision comes as Brad Schnautz prepares to leave the district for a new role at the Region 11 Education Service Center. DeMasters, who has over 30 years of experience in education, previously served as the superintendent at Celina ISD until his retirement in 2021. "I know GCISD has a strong standard of excellence," DeMasters said, expressing his commitment to working closely with the board, staff, families, and the community. Board President Shannon Braun highlighted DeMasters' successful track record in raising academic performance and fostering community engagement during his previous leadership roles.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The upcoming school year will see a significant restructuring as the Early Childhood School merges with elementary campuses, accommodating pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Additionally, middle schools will undergo changes, with Willard Middle School serving grades 5-6 and Moore hosting grades 7-8. This plan aims to enhance educational experiences and streamline grade distributions, ensuring a cohesive learning environment for students.

 

Allen American

A growing consensus among education experts suggests that effective professional development (PD) for teachers isn’t about how many hours are spent in training, but how well those sessions are designed, supported, and integrated into daily practice. While some reports suggest 20–50 hours of PD per year, practitioners argue that ongoing support, relevance to classroom realities, and space to apply and reflect on new skills matter far more. Educators and experts highlighted key challenges, including limited time, mandated one-off trainings with little follow-up, and PD that lacks continuity or relevance. Instead, they advocate for sustained, job-embedded learning with coaching, peer collaboration, and a clear connection to student and teacher outcomes. To better measure impact, experts urge schools to move beyond attendance numbers and instead assess instructional changes and student progress. 

 

Government Technology

A new Eurostat report shows that Ireland had one of the lowest education dropout rates in the European Union (E.U.) in 2024, with just 9% of people aged 15 to 34 leaving a course or training programme without completing it, well below the E.U. average of 14.2%. This positions Ireland as one of the stronger performers in Europe for education retention. By contrast, dropout rates were significantly higher in countries like the Netherlands (32.2%), Denmark, and Luxembourg (both over 24%,) while Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria reported rates below 4%. The most common reason for dropping out across the E.U. was course difficulty or mismatch, particularly in higher education. Personal or family issues, such as health problems or caring responsibilities, were the second most cited reason, followed by a preference to enter the workforce. Financial pressures played a smaller role, cited by just 5% of respondents.

 

Irish Independent