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Texas
3rd March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas families gain educational flexibility

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, set to launch in the 2026-27 school year, allows families to use state funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, or tutoring. Administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the program aims to provide parents with more educational choices. With over 130,000 applications submitted by the midway point of the application period, the TEFA program is expected to significantly impact local public schools, as concerns arise about potential funding losses. Local education leaders, including Guillermo Pro and Dr. Gerardo Cruz, expressed worries about the financial implications for public education, while others, like Dr. Guadalupe Perez, welcomed the opportunity for increased enrollment in private institutions. The application process remains open until March 17, 2026.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Ed. Dept. seeks state-driven overhaul of Comprehensive Centers Program

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed revamping its longstanding Comprehensive Centers program, calling its current structure “duplicative,” “confusing,” and insufficiently responsive to state and local needs. The program, which uses regional and national contractors to provide technical assistance to states and school districts, would be restructured to give state and local leaders greater influence over priorities. A key proposal includes creating a new national center offering “concierge-style” support to help educators navigate technical assistance and connect with relevant organizations. Under the new model, nationally focused centers would determine their areas of emphasis based on feedback from state and local education officials, rather than having priorities set by the department. Recent focus areas under existing contracts, awarded in 2024, have included teacher shortages, fiscal equity, and multilingual education. The department also signaled it may terminate current contracts, which run through 2029, to launch a new competition aligned with the redesigned framework. The proposed changes are tied to the Trump administration’s broader push to “return education to the states.” A 30-day public comment period will follow before final decisions are made.

SCOTUS strikes down California protections for transgender student privacy

The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated a San Diego judge's order affirming parents' rights to be informed about their child's gender identity at school. In a 6-3 decision, the Court granted an emergency appeal from the Thomas More Society, which argued that California's student privacy policy infringes on parental rights and religious freedoms. The Court said: "Parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school student child expresses gender incongruence." The ruling specifically addresses parents who object to the policies or seek religious exemptions. Mark Rienzi, president of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, emphasized the importance of parental involvement, commenting: "Parents' fundamental right to raise their children according to their faith doesn't stop at the schoolhouse door." The decision marks a significant moment for parental rights in the U.S.

STATE NEWS

Texas districts reject prayer option

Texas Senate Bill 11 required school boards to vote by March 1 on offering an optional daily devotional period for prayer and religious reading outside instructional time. Rep. David Spiller said he has found only 15 districts opting in, while many urban, suburban, and rural systems voted no. Critics cited consent-form logistics, potential harms to nonparticipants, and concerns about promoting “a conservative brand of Christianity” in schools. Supporters argue it formalizes time for prayer without mandating participation, and Spiller insisted, “This is not a mandate bill.”

Texas schools squeezed on funding

Texas districts face budget pressure as rising costs, inflation, enrollment declines, and teacher recruitment expenses collide with a funding model split roughly between local property taxes and state aid, plus federal dollars. High-growth suburbs gain tax-base growth, while urban districts see little and may lose state funds when daily attendance drops. Districts are using remaining pandemic aid to plug gaps, cutting staff, freezing hiring or pay, increasing class sizes, and sometimes closing schools. Even when property values surge, “recapture” sends revenue above a district’s state-set “entitlement” back to the state. HB 2 added funding, but advocates argue the $55 basic-allotment increase to $6,215 is far below inflation needs.

DISTRICTS

San Antonio schools face enrollment crisis

Over the past decade, six public school districts in San Antonio have closed campuses due to declining enrollment, attributed to falling birth rates and the rise of charter schools. Northside ISD Superintendent John Craft expressed concern over the shrinking birth rate, particularly post-COVID-19. Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath noted: "Enrollment is actually going to begin trending negative on a net basis for the next decade in Texas because of this decrease in birth rates." While some districts face significant declines, others, particularly suburban ones like Medina Valley ISD, have seen enrollment increases. The rise of charter schools has also contributed to the enrollment challenges, with families increasingly opting for alternatives.

Fort Bend ISD unveils seven new programs

Fort Bend ISD is set to introduce seven new academic programs for the 2026-27 school year as part of its Fort Bend Redesign initiative, aimed at enhancing student retention and recruitment. Superintendent Marc Smith stated that these programs follow the district's successful launch of premier opportunities at elementary campuses, focusing on areas like renewable energy and digital media literacy. The new offerings include a high school virtual learning program, middle school choice programs in aviation and artificial intelligence, and dual language programs in Spanish and Mandarin. Additionally, the district plans to implement a limited open enrollment policy and provide childcare for employees.

Celina ISD announces new elementary schools

Celina ISD has announced the names of three new elementary schools set to open in the 2027-28 school year. The names were revealed during a board meeting on February 23. Alma Jo Scott Elementary School honors Alma Jo Scott, who dedicated 38 years to the district and is known as an original "Bobcat Mom." Ophelia Grumbles Elementary School is named after Ophelia Grumbles, a third-grade teacher who began her career in the late 1930s and returned to teaching after World War II. Janet H. Calvert Elementary School recognizes Janet H. Calvert, who served over 30 years in various roles within CISD and continued to volunteer after retirement.

Tyler ISD shines at TSPRA awards

Tyler ISD Communications recently received accolades at the 2026 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Annual Conference in Galveston, securing one Best of Category award, nine Gold Stars, and nine Silver Star awards. Chief of Communications Jennifer Hines said: “Every member of our communications team works tirelessly to highlight the amazing stories of our students, teachers, and campuses.” The awards recognized various entries, including the Tyler ISD Annual Report and several video features.

LEGAL

Lawsuit claims bias against Islamic schools

Mehdi Cherkaoui, a Houston-area parent, has filed a lawsuit against state officials, alleging religious discrimination in Texas' private school voucher program. He claims that the state has "systematically targeted Islamic schools for exclusion," preventing Muslim families from utilizing the $1bn program. Cherkaoui's children attend Houston Qur'an Academy Spring, which he asserts meets all requirements for participation. The lawsuit highlights that the exclusion is based on "categorical presumptions that Islamic schools are suspect" rather than specific findings of unlawful conduct. The suit names acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath as defendants, seeking immediate processing of the school's application before the March 17 deadline. Cherkaoui, a licensed attorney and practicing Muslim, argues that the actions taken by Hancock represent "impermissible religious gerrymanders."

WORKFORCE

Frisco ISD teachers score state stipends

More than one in four Frisco ISD teachers are now eligible for state stipends, as reported by the district. The Teacher Incentive Allotment aims to attract and retain high-quality educators. Following the approval of the district's program, 679 teachers received new or higher designations, bringing the total eligible to over 1,300. Stipend amounts depend on five indicators and three designation categories: recognized, exemplary, and master. Teachers must be validated as top performers by Texas Tech University and the Texas Education Agency. The TIA program, created by House Bill 3 in June 2019, aims to provide a pathway for educators to earn higher salaries, particularly in high-need areas. FISD's application for Phase 1 was approved in spring 2024, focusing on specific grade levels and subjects, with Phase 2 expanding the program to over 700 teachers.

Affordable housing project for educators

The upcoming 675-unit housing project in East Austin aims to provide affordable living options for Austin ISD staff. Launching with 334 units in fall 2027 on the former Anita Ferrales Coy site, the project addresses the pressing issue of housing affordability for educators. "Austin ISD educators and staff are facing historic affordability pressures," said Superintendent Matias Segura. The development will feature half income-restricted units, with 10% designated for families earning up to 60% of the area's median income, which was just under $94,000 in 2024. The NRP Group, responsible for the project, will prioritize AISD staff in the leasing process, aiming to ease commuting burdens and retain teachers.

Teachers’ side hustles surge

A Gallup survey with the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Walton Family Foundation found 71% of public school teachers have at least one side job, often during the school year, and many are unrelated to education. Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said: “It’s shocking to see how many teachers work in second jobs,” warning financial strain fuels burnout and worsens shortages.

 
CNN

GOVERNANCE

Judson ISD under fire for hiring failures

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is investigating Judson ISD for allegedly neglecting proper hiring protocols designed to protect students. The inquiry began last October after claims surfaced that the district failed to check the state's Do Not Hire Registry and did not follow fingerprinting procedures when hiring Christopher Irving, a coach arrested for exchanging explicit messages with minors. TEA spokesperson Jake Kobersky confirmed the investigation but did not disclose its scope. Judson ISD is currently facing a projected $35m shortfall and internal conflicts, further complicating the situation.

PSJA ISD super's contract extended to 2029

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Superintendent Alejandro Elias has received a contract extension until June 30, 2029, with a base salary of $328,879 and a minimum 3% increase contingent on annual evaluations rated at least "Proficient." The school board approved this extension during a meeting on January 26.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Local students shine at state contest

More than 100 Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from Belton ISD and Temple High School qualified for the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference after showcasing their skills in various fields, including automotive technology and manufacturing. "Sending 53 students to the SkillsUSA state competition is more than a milestone, it is a powerful reflection of the talent, discipline and technical mastery within our CTE department," said Sara Bartlett, CTE Director at Temple ISD. Notable achievements included district champions in collision appraisal and automated manufacturing. Belton ISD also celebrated success, with eight students earning first place finishes and Michael Carrillo being named SkillsUSA Adviser of the Year.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Pentagon cuts academic ties with elite universities and think tanks

The Pentagon is severing or limiting academic ties with nearly two dozen prominent universities and several major think tanks, citing concerns about “liberal ideologies” and what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as “anti-American values” and “wokeness.” Beginning in September, service members will be barred from attending certain graduate programs and fellowships at institutions including Harvard (previously banned), MIT, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, and others. The Defense Department is also restricting ties with leading Washington think tanks such as the Brookings Institution, the Atlantic Council, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Currently, 93 military students are enrolled in graduate-level programs at the affected institutions, with the largest group at Harvard. Many of the programs focus on national and international security for mid- and senior-level officers. The department said it is considering shifting military education partnerships to state universities and conservative institutions such as Liberty University and Hillsdale College. The move is part of a broader Trump administration effort to reshape higher education and return education policy authority to the states, according to officials. 

INTERNATIONAL

First Lady chairs UN Security Council meeting on children in conflict

First Lady Melania Trump chaired a United Nations Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict, marking the first time a spouse of a serving world leader has presided over the 15-member body. The session came days after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran heightened tensions in the Middle East. The meeting, titled “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict,” aimed to emphasize education as a pathway to peace and tolerance. Melania Trump expressed support for youngsters affected by war, adding: "The U.S. stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours."

Australia: School-based health services shown to boost wellbeing and attendance

A new review by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has found that school-based health and allied health programs can improve student wellbeing, attendance and, in some cases, academic performance — particularly for students in disadvantaged communities. Drawing on broader research, including a 2025 University of South Australia study that linked structured exercise to reduced anxiety and depression, the report highlights the benefits of initiatives such as on-site health centres, counselling, psychology, and nursing services. However, it notes that universal mental health programs show less consistent impact on academic outcomes, especially when not delivered by qualified professionals. The review stresses that success depends on stable funding, adequate workforce capacity, strong partnerships, and careful implementation. It also calls for more Australian-based research, particularly in low socio-economic and remote school settings, including the potential role of telehealth. AERO chief executive Dr Jenny Donovan said the findings provide a starting point for further policy discussion, emphasising that reducing health-related barriers allows teachers to focus more effectively on instruction and planning.
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