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Texas
29th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Texas Board approves Bible reading requirement

The Texas State Board of Education has approved a required reading list featuring Bible passages and adopted revised K-8 social studies standards that place greater emphasis on Christianity and Texas history. The changes, approved after days of public testimony and debate, will begin rolling out in the 2030-31 school year and affect the state's 5.5m public school students. The reading list makes Texas the only state to require Bible readings in public schools, with biblical texts included in every grade except kindergarten. Critics argue the move promotes Christianity and excludes other faiths, while supporters say the Bible is historically significant and reflects the nation's Judeo-Christian heritage. The revised social studies curriculum reduces the emphasis on world history and geography while expanding lessons on Texas and American history. It also scales back some instruction on civil rights, slavery, and the contributions of minority groups, including removing lessons on Jim Crow laws and renaming the Tulsa Race Massacre as the "Tulsa Race Riots."

NATIONAL NEWS

Conservative groups drive school investigations

Conservative advocacy groups aligned with the MAGA movement are playing a significant role in advancing the Trump administration's education agenda by filing civil rights complaints that have triggered federal investigations into school diversity initiatives and transgender policies. Groups including Defending Education, America First Legal, the Defense of Freedom Institute, Do No Harm, and the America First Policy Institute have successfully prompted dozens of federal investigations into transgender participation in sports, admissions policies, and diversity programs. Administration officials say outside organizations play an important role in identifying potential violations of federal law, while critics argue the investigations are being used to advance an ideological agenda and roll back protections for LGBTQ students. Defending Education President Nicole Neily said the organization is working to protect women's spaces based on biological sex and ensure schools comply with federal law. She said the group is focused on helping parents understand education issues and pursue policy changes through legal channels, rather than through confrontation.

Employee health care costs pressure school budgets

Rising employee health care costs are placing growing pressure on school district budgets, forcing leaders to make difficult financial tradeoffs that could affect classroom investments, facilities, staffing, and employee recruitment, according to a recent survey by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Association of School Business Officials International. The survey of 767 superintendents, conducted in March and April, found that 98% said rising health care costs are having a measurable impact on their district budgets. While the findings are not nationally representative, they reflect the views of members of both organizations. Nearly half of respondents said they had already shifted funding away from other priorities to cover higher health insurance costs. According to the survey, prescription drug costs were the leading driver of higher insurance premiums, cited by 60% of respondents. 

DISTRICTS

Houston ISD faces hurdles in school outsourcing

As the first day of school approaches on August 10, Houston ISD is revising agreements that allow outside nonprofits to manage several schools. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) identified missing details in five contracts, including pre-K campus names and the operator's employment independence. HISD's partnerships with nonprofits aim to enhance school autonomy and funding, but the district anticipates a loss of $3.8m due to these changes. TEA has tentatively approved the contracts, contingent on amendments. "This conflict in contract language should be resolved and leave operating partner autonomy intact," TEA wrote. HISD must also clarify details in its pre-K contract with Collaborative for Children to secure additional state funding.

State takeover nears for Austin ISD

Crystal Brothwell Hernandez, president of the Austin Council of PTAs, has expressed concerns about the potential state takeover of Austin ISD, stating: “It feels like they had a bullseye on our backs.” The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has been laying the groundwork for intervention, particularly targeting Austin ISD due to its academic struggles. If the district receives another failing grade, it could trigger a state law allowing the TEA to replace elected officials with state appointees. Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized the importance of local control, saying the district must "maintain the ability to educate our students the way that we see fit." Critics warn that a takeover could lead to a standardized curriculum, undermining local priorities.

New feeder system approved for Lubbock-Cooper ISD

Lubbock-Cooper ISD board members have approved a new feeder system and attendance zones, set to take effect in the 2027-2028 school year. This change will allow middle school students to remain together through high school graduation. The decision follows concerns from parents regarding travel distances under the new zones, with some students needing to travel further to attend their designated schools. While acknowledging these concerns, Waldrip noted that the opening of Loop 88 would help alleviate some travel issues. Current high school students will be grandfathered into their existing schools, while middle school students can choose to stay or transition to their new feeder schools.

Lubbock ISD appoints new tech director

Lubbock ISD recently appointed Cary Fulgham as the new Director of Instructional Technology, a role aimed at enhancing digital learning initiatives. The board also approved a 2% salary increase for eligible teachers, raising the starting salary to $51,500, as part of the 2026-2027 Employee Compensation Plan. The district's budget for the upcoming year is set at $260m, with over 75% allocated to payroll. However, Lubbock ISD faces a $22.5m deficit, attributed to declining enrollment and rising operational costs.

Highland village gets a new name

As the school year concludes, Lewisville ISD has officially renamed Highland Village Elementary to the Highland Village Student Success Center. This change reflects the campus's new role in hosting two district programs: the TEAMS (Teaching for Emotional Academic and Motivational Success) program, which supports K-12 students with special education needs, and the SAPP (School-Age Parent Program), aimed at assisting student-parents in continuing their education. The district stated: “Its goal is to help each student transition back to their home campus.” The center is expected to serve around 30 students, with a capacity of 74. Additionally, the campus will feature an all-inclusive playground and updated safety measures, including a Campus Guardian for security. Mill Street Elementary was also renamed to the Vernell Gregg Early Childhood Center following its closure due to budget constraints.

GOVERNANCE

New superintendent takes the helm

The San Antonio ISD has board appointed Adrian Bustillos as the new superintendent in a 5-2 vote, replacing Jaime Aquino. Bustillos, previously a chief transformation officer in Aldine ISD, has a 20-year career in education, starting as a science teacher in El Paso ISD. Despite some dissent from trustees Jacob Ramos and Stephanie Torres, who raised concerns about Bustillos' past involvement in a cheating scandal, Board President Alicia Sebastian expressed confidence in his abilities, stating: "I'm very proud to serve a board that we understand the challenges that we have in front of us." Bustillos will face significant challenges, including improving academic performance and addressing a $46m budget shortfall.

Cuff named lone finalist for superintendent

The Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees has named Timothy E. Cuff as the lone finalist for superintendent following a 4-3 vote. Trustee Minerva M. Pena initiated the motion, supported by other trustees, while three opposed it. Cuff, currently the principal of Americo Paredes Elementary, has previously served as principal of Sharp Elementary.

TECHNOLOGY

Teachers key to preventing excessive reliance on AI

AI has the potential to enhance education, but it also poses a significant risk to student learning if it encourages learners to outsource too much of the cognitive effort needed to build lasting knowledge and critical thinking skills, according to a new report. The University of Technology Sydney report, Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Offloading and Implications for Education, argues that excessive reliance on AI can create a "false mastery" effect, where students complete tasks more easily but fail to develop the deep understanding and long-term memory needed for future learning. The authors warn that novice learners are particularly vulnerable if they use AI as a substitute for thinking rather than as a learning aid. The report also highlights equity concerns, suggesting that students with strong subject knowledge and metacognitive skills are better positioned to benefit from AI, while those with weaker foundations are more likely to become dependent on the technology and miss essential learning opportunities. Rather than limiting AI use, the authors advocate integrating it through evidence-based teaching practices. 

INTERNATIONAL

Jamaica's teachers warn damaged schools remain unsafe eight months after Hurricane Melissa

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is calling for urgent government action after reporting that students and teachers in parts of western Jamaica are still working and learning in unsafe conditions more than eight months after Hurricane Melissa. Following visits to schools in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and St. James with representatives from the American Federation of Teachers, JTA President Mark Malabver said students remain in overcrowded tents that are hot, poorly ventilated, and unsuitable for learning, with mold found in some locations. He described the conditions as unacceptable and said the slow pace of repairs raises doubts that schools will be ready for the start of the new academic year. Malabver also expressed concern that Jamaica has entered another hurricane season while many repairs remain unfinished, leaving schools vulnerable to future storms. The JTA has written to the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information for a second time, urging immediate action and insisting that no student or teacher should be expected to learn or work in conditions that compromise health, safety, dignity, or educational outcomes.
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