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President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, a billionaire and former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Education. The choice surprised many education experts, as McMahon was not on the initial shortlist. Trump praised her as a “fierce advocate for parents' rights,” emphasizing her commitment to school choice and local control over education. Critics, including Shaun Harper from USC, expressed concern over her lack of educational experience, saying, “America's schoolchildren and college students deserved an Education Secretary who brings deep education experience.” Supporters, however, believe her business acumen will benefit the education system. McMahon's past roles include leading the Small Business Administration and serving on the Connecticut Board of Education. In the near future, she could potentially be tasked with overseeing the Department of Education's demise or diminution, after the president-elect repeatedly called for abolishing the agency on the campaign trail. The Trump administration may also use the formal regulatory process to undo changes the Biden administration made to Title IX that sought to expand protections for LGBTQ+ students.

 

CNN

Los Angeles Times

Politico

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

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The Texas State Board of Education voted Tuesday in favor of a new optional Bible-infused curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grades. This initiative, part of a broader movement to integrate religious teachings into public education, includes lessons from the Bible, such as the Golden Rule, and texts like Genesis. Eight out of 15 state school board members voted to keep the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum on a list of K-5 reading and English language arts materials that could be used for the 2025-26 school year. Bluebonnet Learning is an optional, state-owned and Texas Education Agency (TEA)-developed open education resource that can earn schools $40 per student annually for adopting it. Board members who signaled their support for the curriculum said they believed the materials would help students improve their reading and understanding of the world. Members also said politics in no way influenced their vote and that they supported the materials because they believed it would best serve Texas children. TEA has said the lessons will provide students with “a strong foundation” to understand more complex concepts as they reach later grades. State officials have also said those materials are written in an age-appropriate manner.

 

CNN

The Hill

The Texas Tribune

San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) is negotiating terms for the sale of land needed for a new minor league baseball stadium, demanding significant concessions in return. SAISD Superintendent Jaimie Aquino emphasized the district's mission to enhance educational offerings, remarking: "We believe in economic development, but we as a school district, our mission is to advance the educational offerings for our students." The district is asking for a $45m building for its Advanced Learning Academy, guarantees for 1,250 affordable housing units, a new parking garage, and $400,000 annually for not opening the land to competitive bidding. Designated Bidders LLC, the stadium's owner, has until December 9 to present a counteroffer. Concerns have been raised about the demolition of the Soap Factory Apartments, with tenants fearing displacement. Despite SAISD's demands, Aquino noted that the fate of the Soap Factory remains uncertain even if an agreement is reached.

 

San Antonio Current

Waco ISD is considering selling its downtown tower and riverside school campus to fund a new shared administrative headquarters with the city of Waco. This initiative is part of the city's ambitious $1.8bn downtown development project, which aims to transform the area over the next 12 to 20 years. Tom Balk, Waco's director of strategic initiatives, emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating: “This agreement is very important and very deep.” The district's property, valued at approximately $35m, will help finance the new building, expected to be operational by 2028. The proposed design includes a shared facility that would reduce office space needs for both the city and the district, fostering collaboration on educational programs.

 

Wacotrib

At Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, California, Jeff Simon, a veteran math teacher, is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in his classroom. He encourages students to utilize AI for solving math problems, likening it to having a "private math tutor." Simon emphasizes the importance of teaching students the ethical use of AI, stating: “We're trying to teach the ethical use of these new tools that are just going to keep on growing.” While AI tools provide quick assistance, concerns about over-reliance and academic integrity persist. Simon's approach aims to level the playing field, allowing all students access to resources previously available only to those who could afford private tutoring. Meanwhile, other educators, like Katrina Waidelich, are more cautious, implementing stricter guidelines to prevent AI-generated content in assignments. As schools navigate the complexities of AI integration, the focus remains on enhancing learning while maintaining academic standards.

 

The Columbian

Carroll Independent School District (ISD) is considering hiring additional personnel to support its existing school resource officer (SRO) force, which is comprised of officers from the Southlake Police Department. Spokesman Jeff Brady stated: “The school board has no intent to change or modify this relationship in any way,” emphasizing the need for supplemental resources when SROs are unavailable. This semester, SROs were unavailable 10 times, prompting the district to contract outside security. Following the tragic Uvalde shooting, Texas mandated armed guards on campuses, but many districts struggle with funding and staffing. The district is also exploring the Texas guardian plan, which allows certain staff to carry firearms. A proposal for a school marshal program was presented, requiring marshals to undergo training and keep their identities confidential. Signage will inform that “certain staff members at Carroll ISD are armed.”

 

Dallas News

Chronic absenteeism among students is significantly affecting teacher morale, according to a recent study published in Education Researcher. Michael Gottfried, a co-author and associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated, “Absenteeism pulls teachers away from that core purpose.” The study analyzed data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, revealing that teachers with higher absenteeism reported lower job satisfaction and feelings of usefulness. With chronic absenteeism rising from 15% before 2020 to 28% in 2023, teachers are feeling the strain. Lindsey Paricio-Moreau, a science teacher, noted that absent students struggle to build relationships, leading to awkwardness upon their return. The ongoing challenges of absenteeism are contributing to a negative perception of the teaching profession, with a survey indicating an average teacher morale score of -13.

 

Education Week News

Red Oak ISD has been awarded the Meritorious Budget Award, one of less than 30 ISD in Texas to receive the award. The district also earned the highest form of recognition in the area of budget development and presentation from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

 

Waxahachie Sun

Camila Castillo, a 1st grader at Barrett Elementary School, has made history as the first student in Crosby ISD to achieve her goal in the “Pages for Pizza” reading incentive program. This initiative allows first and second graders to earn free pizza by reading 360 pages or 720 pages, respectively. Additionally, the Crosby High School Band has been recognized as one of the top four military marching bands in Texas, earning 4th place at the UIL state championships. Band directors Kevin Knight and Zachary Sanchez, along with the student-musicians, received praise for their outstanding performance. Furthermore, in honor of National Gratitude Month, Crosby ISD students participated in a patriotic program for Veterans Day, celebrating the local veterans in Harris County, which has the largest veteran population in Texas.

 

The Baytown Sun

In Strasbourg, France, schoolchildren are being monitored with GPS devices during break times to investigate playground dynamics, particularly the dominance of boys over girls. Proponents argue that the initiative will help create a more inclusive environment. Strasbourg deputy Mayor Christelle Wieder, head of sex equality at the council, noted: "Eighty percent of the space in playgrounds is occupied by only 20% of the children, mostly boys." The council plans to redesign playgrounds to promote equality, while some commentators argue for a different approach to address gender dynamics. 

 

Daily Mail

The Times of London

Ray McGaughey, a member of the Brazoria Heritage Foundation, believes that "it's one thing to read about it, but another to experience it up close." Each year, he portrays Henry Smith during an educational event for over 100 students from Barrow Elementary School. The program, held at the John H. Greenberg Theater, featured patriotic songs, re-enactors, and demonstrations by the Brazoria Militia. McGaughey shared stories about Smith's life, including his political career and unconventional marriages, while emphasizing the importance of local history. Tissie Schwebel from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas encouraged students to appreciate their heritage. Students expressed gratitude for the insights gained, with one saying: "I knew there was a statue, but I didn't know the story behind it." Melissa Ebner highlighted Smith's legacy as a symbol of Texas's spirit of independence and resilience.

 

The Facts