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Texas lawmakers are exploring new methods to evaluate school performance following lawsuits over state report cards. Leander School District's locally based evaluation system, introduced in 2021, aims for a "holistic approach" to assess schools beyond standardized tests, according to Brenda Cruz, assistant superintendent of empowered learning. Critics argue that the current A-F accountability system, heavily reliant on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), fails to provide a fair assessment, particularly for schools with high concentrations of low-income students. As the Texas Education Agency studies potential new measures, the debate continues over how best to represent school performance and ensure no student is left behind.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Many rural school districts across the United States are struggling to compensate for the loss of federal grant funding, which has been significantly impacted by the Trump administration's policies. Shannon Johnson, a former school mental health counselor, noted the abrupt end of her grant-funded position, commenting: "“We had our minds and our goals and our plans really prepped for five-year work. We can't really see a lot of change through systems in a year." Federal funding constitutes about 10% of national education spending, but this percentage is much higher in rural areas, where property tax revenues are limited. The loss of these funds has forced districts to make difficult decisions, including cutting essential programs and staff. Shelby County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua Matthews emphasized that the funding loss "only hurts students," as it supports critical services for disadvantaged youth.

 

U.S. News

Schools are increasingly confronting the issue of students using artificial intelligence (AI) to create sexually explicit deepfakes of their peers. This problem was notably highlighted in a Louisiana middle school, where two boys were charged after AI-generated nude images circulated, leading to one victim's expulsion for fighting. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre stated: "This incident highlights a serious concern that all parents should address with their children." As of 2025, over half of U.S. states have enacted laws targeting deepfakes, with prosecutions occurring in multiple states. Experts like Sameer Hinduja emphasize the need for schools to update their policies and engage in discussions with students about the implications of AI-generated content. The trauma inflicted by deepfakes can be severe, as victims often struggle with anxiety and depression due to the viral nature of these images. Parents are encouraged to initiate conversations about online content to help mitigate these issues.

 

U.S. News

Research indicates that early childhood education significantly benefits students throughout their academic journeys; however, support for pre-kindergarten (pre-K) teachers remains limited. Elizabeth D. Steiner, a PK-12 education policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, stated: "Public school pre-K teachers are an understudied population." The RAND American Public School Pre-K Teacher Survey highlights the challenges faced by pre-K educators, including access to professional development and instructional materials. Despite a slight increase in average salaries, many teachers reported stagnant wages when adjusted for inflation. Notably, the percentage of pre-K teachers intending to leave their positions decreased from 18% in 2024 to 14% in 2025. The survey also revealed a need for enhanced professional learning opportunities, particularly in teaching math and supporting diverse learners.

 

Education Week News

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has decided to shut down Essence Preparatory Public School, a charter school that opened in 2022, due to its poor performance. The school, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students, recorded only 16% of its students performing at grade level on state standardized tests. TEA can close a charter school if it receives an "unacceptable" performance rating for three out of five years, and Essence Prep received F, D, and F ratings in its first three years. TEA will appoint a conservator to oversee the closure process and potentially sell the campus. The school has struggled with chronic absenteeism rates of nearly 42% and currently has around 360 students enrolled, 99% of whom are economically disadvantaged.

 

Star-Telegram

The Killeen ISD is projecting a decline of approximately 5,500 students over the next decade, a significant shift from earlier forecasts. Bob Templeton, vice president of demographics at Zonda, presented this 10-year enrollment forecast, noting: "This is my 26th year doing demographics and planning for school districts. We've seen a pretty significant change in enrollment patterns." KISD's current enrollment stands at 41,670, with a drop of 1,410 students expected for the 2025-26 school year. Elementary schools are particularly affected, with a 4.06% decline. Factors contributing to this trend include declining birth rates and increased school choice options, leading to students enrolling in charter schools or homeschooling.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees is advancing its search for a new superintendent, aiming for a hire by early spring. In November, trustees selected Impact Education Specialists to assist in the process. The search will commence in January, gathering feedback from community members and district staff, followed by an application deadline and candidate screening. February will see first- and second-round interviews, with a vote to name a lone finalist. If the timeline is adhered to, the board could finalize the hire in March, adhering to Texas law which requires a 21-day waiting period for community feedback. 

 

Tyler Paper

Killeen ISD has placed Audie Murphy Middle School principal Yolanda Bailey and other administrators on administrative leave amid an investigation into potential mishandling of student grades. KISD Superintendent King Davis stated that the decision was made to ensure a “thorough and fair review” of the situation. Concerns arose as grades were being finalized, with reports indicating that some grades may not have been accurately collected from long-term substitute teachers. The district emphasized that the leave is a procedural step and does not imply wrongdoing.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

The Laredo ISD Board of Trustees has named Guillermo Pro as the sole finalist for the superintendent position, following a mandatory 21-day waiting period before final approval. Pro, who has over 32 years of experience in public education, previously served as interim superintendent after Dr. Sylvia Rios's retirement. His leadership at Martin High School led to significant academic improvements, and he has a strong focus on enhancing student outcomes and community partnerships. Pro is expected to be formally appointed in January 2026, pending board approval.

 

Star-Telegram

Denton ISD is set to invest over $40m in renovations for McNair Elementary School and Sam Houston Elementary School, following the approval of two guaranteed maximum prices by the district's board of trustees. The renovations for McNair are capped at $19.29m, while Sam Houston's renovations will not exceed $19.22m. These upgrades aim to enhance facility functionality and safety, with work scheduled for completion over the summer to minimize disruption. McNair will see improvements in flooring, paint, plumbing, and fencing, totaling $21.21m, including project fees. The improvements will be completed over the summer to avoid disruption.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Liberty Hill ISD is set to open three new campuses in August 2026, including Lariat Trails Elementary, Legacy Ranch Middle School, and Legacy Ranch High School. Interim Superintendent Travis Motal mentioned that the district may continue using US 183 as the attendance boundary, with students east attending Legacy Ranch High School and those west going to Liberty Hill High School. Motal noted that under the current zoning proposal, Liberty Hill High School could remain under capacity for the next decade. Community feedback is being sought through town hall meetings scheduled for January 13 and 15, with new attendance zones expected to be approved in February.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Nigerian government confirmed the release of the remaining 130 schoolchildren kidnapped from St. Mary's Private Catholic School in Niger State. Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare stated: "Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released, none left in captivity." The children were abducted in November, alongside 12 teachers, during an attack by armed bandits. Following the incident, 50 students escaped within 48 hours, and earlier this month, security forces rescued 100 victims. The violence in Nigeria, particularly against schools, is part of a broader trend of mass kidnappings driven by communal tensions and resource disputes.

 

CNN Edition

U.S. News