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Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock is seeking legal guidance from the Texas Attorney General's Office regarding the exclusion of certain schools from the state's new school voucher program. Hancock's inquiry, filed on December 12, questions whether schools linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) or connected to the Chinese government can be barred from participation. The voucher program, which has seen about 600 private schools apply, is part of a broader initiative by Governor Greg Abbott, who recently designated CAIR as a terrorist organization.

 

Denton Record-Chronicle

The Gilmer Mirror

Governor Greg Abbott has enrolled Texas in a new federal scholarship program that could enhance the state's existing $1bn private school voucher initiative. This program, part of President Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill,” provides tax incentives for donations to scholarship organizations, helping families cover educational costs. “That can be huge for kids all over the country,” said Matt Frendaway, vice president of the “yes. every kid.” foundation. Families earning less than 300% of their area's median income can qualify for these scholarships, which can also be used by children in traditional public schools for tutoring and extracurricular activities. Critics, however, express concerns that the program may favor wealthier families and lack sufficient oversight. Abbott and state Republicans support the initiative, viewing it as a step towards greater educational alternatives.

 

Austin American-Statesman

In just 10 days since the launch of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, approximately 600 private schools have registered to participate, according to the Texas Comptroller's Office. This initiative, which is set to begin in the 2026–27 school year, aims to provide $10,000 grants to around 100,000 students for various educational expenses. The program prioritizes low-income families and will utilize a lottery system if applications exceed funding. The Texas Education Agency has indicated that participating students will receive $10,474, representing 85% of the average funding per public school student. Governor Greg Abbott and state lawmakers have touted TEFA as the largest first-year school choice program in the nation, with a budget of $1bn.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

A federal judge has ruled against California school policies that prevent educators from disclosing a student's gender identity to their parents. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez stated that “parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school student child expresses gender incongruence.” The ruling, which applies to all California public schools, was part of a class action suit filed by teachers and parents, including Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West from the Escondido Union School District. The decision has drawn criticism from the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, which argued it undermines privacy rights. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office plans to appeal, asserting that the ruling misapplies the law. Legal experts suggest the case may escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, highlighting the ongoing debate over student privacy and parental rights in education.

 

EdSource

The Argyle ISD board of trustees recently approved names for three new educational facilities during a meeting on December 15. Michael Ball Elementary School will honor the retired counselor and is set to open for the 2027-28 school year. The new Scott Gibson Middle School, named after the former principal who passed away in 2024, is expected to welcome students in August 2026. Additionally, the current Argyle Middle School will transition into Argyle Legacy High School in the 2027-28 school year. The board also approved eight new high school courses for the 2026-27 school year, including Robotics 1 and Advanced Placement Business with Personal Finance. Furthermore, the board allocated $2.55m for 16 new buses to accommodate projected district growth.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

State intervention in Fort Worth ISD was not the initial plan, but it has become necessary due to ongoing academic struggles. Currently, only 34% of FWISD students meet grade-level standards in reading and math, significantly lower than peers in Dallas and Houston. With 39 campuses rated D or F, the situation is dire, affecting thousands of children. "Fort Worth kids deserve the same urgency, clarity and results," said Steve Montgomery, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber. A recent visit to Houston ISD, which successfully improved outcomes post-intervention, inspired local leaders to embrace the opportunity for change. They believe that with bold action and teamwork, transformational results can be achieved for Fort Worth students.

 

Star-Telegram

Alpha School, based in Austin, is expanding its Texas Sports Academy with new locations across the state. These academies will provide students with athletic training while they complete their academic coursework using the innovative 2 Hour Learning platform. Recently opened campuses include AIE Elite Prep in Round Rock, specializing in basketball, and The Bennett School in Houston, focusing on baseball. Upcoming openings include Catching Barrels Academy and One World Academy, both set to launch in January, along with Texas Sports Academy Gymnastics. Tuition ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 annually. Co-founder MacKenzie Price emphasized that the AI-driven model allows students to learn at their own pace, stating: “Students can learn twice as fast as they would in a traditional school setting.” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon praised the school's approach, calling it “the most exciting thing I've seen in education in a long time.”

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Argyle ISD's board has discussed a new hybrid and virtual learning program following the Texas Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 569, which allows full funding for remote learners. Assistant Superintendent Dawn Jordan emphasized the initiative aims to provide families with choices while maintaining high educational standards. The proposed program includes a full-time virtual option and a hybrid model, utilizing Edgenuity software for instruction. Jordan clarified: "I want to make it clear that our teachers are not providing the instruction online as in the COVID days," highlighting a shift to a more independent learning approach. The program is set to be reviewed by the board in 2026, with specific enrollment criteria for high school students.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Paris ISD elementary schools recently named their co-champions for the annual spelling bees. At Justiss Elementary School, Melany Rocha and Liam Phillips triumphed, while Tucker Kerby and Brooklynn Norman took the title at Aikin Elementary School.

 

Paris News

Judson ISD trustees have postponed the approval of two Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plans aimed at addressing a projected budget shortfall of approximately $34m. The board voted 4-3 to delay discussions until January, with board President Monica Ryan expressing concerns over insufficient time to review updates. The district currently faces a recurring shortfall of $18.3m, exacerbated by the failure of a voter-approval tax rate election that could have generated $21m annually. Ryan stated: "These are real people's lives, and I'm not willing to make a hasty decision without all the information." The CAPA plans include staffing reductions and school consolidations to achieve a near-balanced budget by the end of the 2027-28 school year.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Friendswood ISD Education Foundation awarded over $33,000 in Legacy Grants to enhance hands-on learning at Friendswood High School. The funding includes nearly $14,150 for a professional truss system for the theater program, which allows students to gain practical experience with stage equipment. Additionally, more than $19,000 was allocated for VEX Robotics kits in the Mustang STEM Lab, benefiting around 350 students. The grants are supported by the Friendswood Independent School District Education Foundation Endowment Fund and donations from the community. The 2025–2026 Adopt-A-Grant campaign is currently open for contributions.

 

The Galveston County Daily News

Angleton ISD trustees are considering a baseline voter survey to analyze the recent rejection of a bond request aimed at replacing three aging schools.

 

The Facts

Killeen ISD recently announced the graduation of a new group of candidates who earned bachelor's degrees through the KISD Teach program. The program supports paraprofessionals and instructional aides by providing a structured pathway to earn a bachelor's degree and teacher certification. Five new graduates, including Valerie Thomas and Amanda Dominguez, completed their degrees through Indiana Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies. 

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Laredo leaders have unanimously voted to transform the Laredo Youth Council from a city committee into a city-run youth program, increasing its membership from 17 to 25 students. This change aims to enhance representation and civic engagement among local students, including those from private, charter, and homeschooled backgrounds. City staff emphasized that the restructuring was necessary due to legal requirements for members under 18. Karen Covarrubias, the City Manager's Office liaison, said: "The Laredo Youth Council still exists as a city program," highlighting the program's focus on community involvement.

 

Star-Telegram

Students and staff from Comal ISD have come together to support around 852 students in need through various charitable initiatives during the holiday season. Schools across the district collected blankets, food, and toys, with Canyon High School's "Cougar Christmas" event being a highlight. "In total, 102 students benefitted from the program," a press release from the school district stated, showcasing the community's commitment to helping those less fortunate.

 

Herald Zeitung

A Texas teacher, Mrs. Bell, is gaining attention on social media for her heartwarming holiday tradition of transforming students' artwork into personalized winter hats. Each year, Mrs. Bell provides a paper template for students to design their dream hats, which she then crafts into keepsakes. Mrs. Bell has also encouraged others to adopt this creative idea in their own classrooms.

 

Star-Telegram