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Texas
9th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

SCOTUS may face new cases moved by religious charter schools

New initiatives to establish religious charter schools are gaining traction across several states, as advocates seek clarity from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding their constitutional status. Following a 4-4 deadlock last year on the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic virtual charter school case, proponents view this as an opportunity to push forward. Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said: "The [U.S. Supreme] Court has made clear that once you start funding private entities, you cannot exclude participants because of their religion." Meanwhile, opponents, including Alex J. Luchenitser of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argue that the Constitution prohibits religious public charter schools. Recent proposals include the Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School in Oklahoma and the Wilburforce Academy in Tennessee, both facing legal scrutiny.

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SAFETY AND SECURITY

Texas schools face funding threats

The Texas Education Agency has issued a warning to school districts regarding student protests over immigration enforcement, stating that those perceived to support such actions risk losing funding and facing investigations. Superintendent Matthew Neighbors of Galveston ISD noted that student absences for protests would be treated as unexcused. The agency's guidance outlines potential consequences for students, teachers, and districts, including funding loss and investigations for those who facilitate protests. Governor Greg Abbott has also expressed concerns, suggesting that schools allowing walkouts should be treated as "co-conspirators." The agency's authority to enforce sanctions is backed by the Texas Education Code, which aims to maintain educational integrity and student attendance.

AASA guides ICE encounter response

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) recently hosted a webinar titled "Operational Readiness: A Practical Playbook for ICE Encounters in Schools," aimed at equipping school leaders with strategies to handle potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) encounters. The session emphasized that schools should act as "safe zones" and are not obligated to assist immigration enforcement without a valid judicial warrant. Steve Smith, a former School Resource Officer, stressed the importance of prioritizing student safety and managing anxiety, stating: "Reaffirming someone's rights under the Bill of Rights... isn't incompatible with safety." The playbook advises schools to secure their premises, maintain communication with parents, and prepare emergency contacts for families. It also warns against allowing ICE access without a judicial warrant, as this could lead to liability issues.

Austin ISD tightens protest rules

Austin ISD has revised its protest protocols, limiting staff involvement and clarifying law enforcement's role during student demonstrations. The changes come after a series of student-led protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Central Texas, amid scrutiny from Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The district stated: "In the last two weeks, we've seen an uptick in student-led protests against immigration policies and enforcement." New guidelines require that walkouts within 300 feet of campus be monitored by administrators and ISD police, while law enforcement will take over once students move further away. Staff are prohibited from participating in or endorsing protests unless for safety reasons.

DISTRICTS

Texas set to take over Fort Worth schools

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is set to proceed with a takeover of Fort Worth ISD following a ruling by three state administrative law judges. The court dismissed Fort Worth ISD's appeal against TEA's decision, which was prompted by the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade receiving five consecutive F ratings. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has already appointed a state conservator and is currently reviewing applications for a new board of managers and superintendent. Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees President Roxanne Martinez said the court's action “is deeply disappointing” and "disregards the meaningful progress taking place in Fort Worth ISD."

Carthage ISD celebrates academic progress

Carthage ISD trustees and administrators expressed satisfaction with the district's academic performance during a review of the Texas Academic Performance Report. Allen Koch, director of curriculum and instruction, presented the report, describing it as a "comprehensive snapshot of student performance." While the district showed progress, chronic absenteeism was highlighted as a significant concern, impacting academic achievement. Koch noted that this issue is prevalent across Texas and the nation, particularly post-COVID-19. The report also indicated encouraging advancements in college, career, and military readiness, with Carthage High School receiving a “B” accountability rating for the 2024–25 school year. 

UISD considers closing five schools

United ISD is evaluating the potential closure of five elementary schools due to declining enrollment and a budget deficit of $44m. UISD stated: "No final decisions have been made," stressing the importance of community input in the process. The schools under review include Henry Cuellar, Matias De Llano, Finley, John F. Kennedy - Emiliano Zapata, and Amparo Gutierrez Elementary Schools. Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz noted that the decision will be made by May 2026, stating: "I plan to navigate this process with extreme care." UISD aims to maintain strong academic programs and minimize disruption for students and staff during this challenging time.

Golden Apple honors Chaparral director

Samantha Dunaway, the Theatre Director at Chaparral High School, has received the Texas Thespian Golden Apple Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to theatre education. Morganne Davies, Killeen ISD Fine Arts Director, said: “Ms. Dunaway exemplifies the very best of theatre education.” Since the school's opening in 2022, Dunaway and her husband, Chad Moore, have led the Bobcat Theatre Department to significant achievements, including earning “Gold Level Troupe” status in the International Thespian Society. 

Caps fly high at Killeen graduation

Ellison High graduates participated in Killeen ISD's mid-year commencement ceremony, where fifty students celebrated their achievements by tossing caps in the air. The event took place at Harker Heights High School and included graduates from multiple local high schools.

GOVERNANCE

LISD appoints Pro as superintendent

The Laredo ISD Board of Trustees has appointed Guillermo Pro as new superintendent. Pro, who previously served as the district's fine arts director, replaces Dr. Sylvia G. Rios, who retired after nearly five decades in education. Pro's leadership at Martin High School led to significant academic improvements, and he has a proven track record of enhancing student participation in fine arts.

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CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Waco High School opens its doors

The new Waco High School, dedicated on Friday, represents a significant investment in education, costing $142m as part of a $355m bond project approved in 2021. Principal Joseph Alexander welcomed attendees to the new facility, which opened to students in August after four years of construction. "We are changing generations for a lifetime to come," said superintendent Tiffany Spicer. Waco ISD board President Jose Vidaña described the new school as "a promise kept" to taxpayers, ensuring that "every student will have the tools and environment to do their best."

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Cooking up community spirit

Jason Pratt, an economics and government teacher at A&M Consolidated High School, has been a participant in the 50 Men Who Can Cook event for about 10 years. He and his friend Mike Williams aim for "best costume," drawing inspiration from movies and "Saturday Night Live." This year, they dressed as Chippendales, serving chips and dip while entertaining guests with synchronized dancing. "I just like doing fun things," Pratt said. The event, organized by the College Station ISD Education Foundation, attracted around 1,500 attendees and featured 59 cooking teams. Proceeds support various educational initiatives, including teaching grants and literacy programs.

TECHNOLOGY

AI use is rising among school psychologists

A new study published in School Psychology provides the first detailed snapshot of how U.S. school psychologists are using artificial intelligence (AI) in practice, finding that roughly two-thirds have used AI tools in the past six months. Based on a survey of 199 practitioners, AI is most commonly used for generating recommendations, report writing, answering work-related questions, and summarizing information, with 94% saying they review AI-generated content before finalizing it. While about half of respondents felt AI-generated recommendations were comparable to or better than their own work, confidence was lower for tasks such as test interpretation and treatment planning, and ethical concerns remain, particularly around disclosure and data security, as most respondents have not informed stakeholders of their AI use and few workplaces have formal policies.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Pentagon to end academic programmes with Harvard amid escalating tensions

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced it will end professional military education, fellowships and certificate programmes with Harvard University, marking a further escalation in the Trump administration’s dispute with the institution. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the move will apply to future enrolments from the 2026–27 academic year, though current participants will be allowed to complete their studies, and similar ties with other universities are under review. The decision comes amid broader administration criticism of elite universities over issues including campus protests on Gaza, diversity initiatives and climate policies. Harvard, which has challenged federal funding freezes in court, rejected accusations of antisemitism and said it has long played a significant role in US military education, while rights groups have raised concerns about academic freedom and due process. 

INTERNATIONAL

Ireland's rural schools face closure amid enrollment drops

Falling primary school enrollment across Ireland is putting growing pressure on small rural schools, with Department of Education data showing a drop of 6,470 pupils this year and 11 schools closing since last June. Slatta National School in Co Roscommon, founded in 1891, is facing possible closure after enrollment fell from 23 pupils in 2022 to just eight, with only five projected for September 2026 despite extensive efforts to attract families. In contrast, Scoil Naomh Pádraig in the Conamara Gaeltacht has reversed its decline through community-led initiatives such as after-school programmes and a €2,000 ($2,364) bursary for families willing to relocate, boosting numbers from four to 13 pupils. The contrasting experiences highlight both the vulnerability of rural schools to demographic change and the role local communities can play in sustaining them.
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