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A group of eight states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop significant cuts to teacher training programs. These programs are essential for addressing teacher shortages in STEM fields and supporting students with disabilities or those learning English. Attorneys general from California, Massachusetts and New Jersey are co-leading the lawsuit, the second to be filed against the cuts, which has been joined by Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin. They argue that the cuts, which add up to more than $600 million, threaten the quality of education and could lead to increased reliance on underqualified educators. The lawsuit also claims that the administration's actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and disrupt the training of teachers necessary for diverse student populations. The two grants at issue are the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development, established by Congress in 2008 and 2011, respectively, to recruit and train educators to work in high-need rural and urban school districts. The coalition of states is seeking a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Massachusetts, to block the funding cuts.

 

Courthouse News Service

The Denver Post

Los Angeles Times

Reuters

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Texas lawmakers are considering an $8bn public education funding proposal, House Bill 2, aimed at addressing budget deficits faced by many school districts. Despite the potential benefits, education leaders expressed concerns that the funding would still necessitate difficult budget decisions. Rep. Brad Buckley, the bill's author, emphasized the importance of retaining quality teachers, stating, “The most important thing we can do is to make sure that the best teachers stay in classrooms in front of kids.” The proposal includes increases in teacher pay, special education funding, and support for small and midsize districts. However, Austin district Superintendent Matias Segura noted that while the bill could help, it wouldn't eliminate the need for tough financial choices, especially as the district grapples with a $110m deficit.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Austin American-Statesman

A recent executive order by President Donald Trump designated English as the official language of the United States, raising concerns among educators regarding its impact on English learners. Conor Williams, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, said: “There is no legal reason for any program to change their approach to teaching bilingual education.” Experts warn that the order could limit translation services and shift focus towards English-only instruction, potentially undermining multilingual education. Despite these challenges, key federal laws, such those derived from 1974's Lau v. Nichols Supreme Court ruling, remain unchanged, mandating support for English learners. Kathleen Leos, former director of the federal office of English language acquisition, emphasized that this situation serves as a “wake-up call” for states to invest in effective multilingual programs.

 

Education Week News

In a recent decision, five schools in Fort Worth ISD will remain open, as confirmed by Deputy Superintendent of Operations Kellie Spencer. Schools such as Manuel Jara Elementary, Westcliff Elementary, and William Monnig Middle were previously considered for closure but have been spared due to their community significance and stable enrollments. The decision followed discussions by a community task force, which concluded that the proposed changes were not feasible at this time. Spencer noted, “We felt that there was no reason to continue with any heightened anxiety about their campus closing.” While these schools are safe for now, boundary changes may still occur in the future, with potential impacts expected as early as the 2026-27 school year.

 

Star-Telegram

The Lindale ISD Education Foundation awarded $40,263.57 in grants to support educational initiatives on Tuesday. This funding aims to enhance learning opportunities within the district, showcasing the foundation's commitment to improving education. The grants will be utilized for various projects that benefit students and teachers alike.

 

Tyler Paper

The Canutillo ISD board met to discuss the budget for the 2025-26 school year, considering significant cost-saving measures such as eliminating elementary music classes and implementing a hiring freeze. Canutillo ISD is not alone in facing financial difficulties; Socorro ISD is laying off 300 employees and cutting its budget by $38m. Communications director Gustavo Reveles stated: “We’ve been talking about this for several years now, predicting that we would be here.” The district's financial issues stem from declining enrollment and stagnant state funding, leading to a projected $6.4m deficit for the upcoming school year. The board is also contemplating layoffs and program cuts, including Montessori classes, to address the budget shortfall.

 

El Paso Times

Allen ISD is anticipating a budget deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year, as reported by chief financial officer Brian Carter. The district is facing a significant challenge with a 23% rise in inflation and no confirmed increase in funding. To manage this financial strain, Allen is planning an $8m reduction in its budget, which will impact teacher salaries and programming. Carter emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "With no confirmed allotment increase, we are forced to make difficult decisions."

 

Allen American

The Judson ISD board of trustees has approved a one-time retention incentive for special education and bilingual teachers, as well as instructional paraprofessionals, for the 2024-2025 school year. The total cost for these incentives is $401,940, funded by the 2024-2025 Every Student Succeeds Act Title II Carryover Funds. Superintendent Milton "Rob" Fields III emphasized the importance of these incentives, explaining: “If we're unable to do this again...we're just trying to do what we can with the funds we have available right now.” Board Secretary Laura Stanford expressed her appreciation for the support given to teachers, while Trustee José Macias Jr. mentioned a potential compensation plan in June that could provide further raises if feasible.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Veronica Kortan has been appointed as the new superintendent of Harlingen CISD after a 25-year career in the district, during which time she served as deputy superintendent and interim superintendent. Her salary is set at $255,000. Board President Greg Powers said the appointment "marks a new chapter for our district,” highlighting the challenges faced and Kortan's leadership during adversity. The first Harlingen High School graduate to hold this position, Kortan expressed her honor in serving the community that shaped her life. She aims to foster collaboration and innovation within the district, commenting: “Through collaboration and embracing innovation, we will build a future where we are not only meeting the needs of our students.”

 

The Monitor

Abilene ISD has appointed Jon Patrick as the new principal of Cooper High School, effective immediately. Patrick expressed his enthusiasm, commenting: “I am filled with excitement and anticipation about my new role leading Cooper High School.” He has been with Abilene since 2020, serving in various administrative roles, including assistant principal at Abilene High School and principal at Clack Middle School. Dr. John Kuhn, AISD superintendent, praised Patrick as a “natural and goal-oriented leader” whose experience will benefit the Cooper community. 

 

San Angelo Standard Times

Dr. Gabriel Trujillo, the Superintendent of Nacogdoches ISD, has been named the sole finalist to lead Grand Prairie ISD. This announcement comes shortly after Nacogdoches ISD extended his contract until 2028. Trujillo is expected to start his new role in early April, following a mandatory 21-day waiting period.

 

Dailysentinel.com

Lometa ISD's Board of Trustees convened on February 24 to discuss district achievements and approve upcoming projects. The meeting also introduced a new venue for such gatherings, transforming the former weight room adjacent to the administration building into a modern conference room. This change reflects the district's commitment to enhancing its facilities and fostering collaboration.

 

Lampasas Dispatch Record

Renee Gugel, program chair of teacher leadership at National Louis University, emphasizes the importance of peer observations in professional development (PD) for teachers. In a recent survey of new teachers, 100% reported that observing peers was the most beneficial form of PD. Despite this, many had not been given the opportunity to do so. Gugel argues that peer observations are low-cost, relevant, and foster connections among teachers, making them a valuable investment in professional growth. She says: "You can't get much more return on investment than having a system in place for teachers to watch and learn from each other." Gugel calls for school leaders to integrate peer observations into their PD frameworks to enhance teaching practices and strengthen school culture.

 

Education Week News

The U.S. State Department is implementing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven initiative called "Catch and Revoke" to revoke visas of foreign students identified as supporters of Palestinian Hamas militants. This program will utilize AI to analyze social media accounts of tens of thousands of student visa holders. According to Axios, officials are investigating reports of protests against Israel's policies and lawsuits from Jewish students alleging antisemitism involving foreign nationals. Kanishka Singh reported this development from Washington, highlighting the controversial nature of the AI-assisted reviews.

 

U.S. News

Innospec, a leading global specialty chemicals company, and UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education (IESALC), have teamed up to launch an educational program aimed at improving access to STEM education for indigenous students in Brazil. The initiative will directly train 40 indigenous students, with its ripple effects benefiting an additional 200 individuals. The main outcome of the project will consist of a course on sustainable development and STEM, co-designed by indigenous and non-indigenous students and researchers, integrating indigenous knowledge and science applied to sustainability practices to empower diverse voices in STEM education.

 

UNESCO-IESALC