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Texas
4th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

TEA to investigate individuals who "encourage" student protests

In response to the recent protests following the killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers, thousands of students across Texas staged walkouts. Gov. Greg Abbott has called for a crackdown, suggesting that schools allowing such protests should be treated as "co-conspirators" and face funding cuts. Abbott's comments came after two students were detained in Kyle for allegedly resisting arrest. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced it would investigate any individuals who "encourage" student protests and could refer violators for sanctions. TEA spokesperson Jake Kobersky emphasized that educators must maintain an "objective and free from political bias" approach to teaching.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Level Up Your Students’ Future-Ready Skills

As the workforce and student needs evolve, how can schools ensure students are future-ready? Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic solution. Our comprehensive free guide empowers school leaders with practical tools—from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists—to strengthen CTE offerings and equip students with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets needed for future success.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:
  • An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
  • Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
  • Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
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NATIONAL NEWS

President Trump signs bill to end shutdown, preserving K-12 funding

Congress has narrowly approved legislation to end a partial U.S. government shutdown, passing the funding bill by a 217–214 vote before President Donald Trump signed it into law. The $1.2tn measure restores funding for much of the government through the end of the fiscal year, while temporarily funding the Department of Homeland Security until mid-February to allow further negotiations over immigration enforcement. It keeps funding flat for most major K-12 programs, including Title I for low-income students, special education under IDEA, professional development, and support for English learners. The budget rejects Trump administration proposals to cut billions from education, while stopping short of blocking efforts to shift Education Department responsibilities to other agencies. Instead, it requires closer consultation with Congress and provides nearly $400m for department staff compensation. Funding was also restored for smaller agencies such as AmeriCorps and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, giving schools and education providers greater certainty ahead of the next academic year.

STATE NEWS

Texas school voucher program opens doors

The Texas private school voucher program is set to begin accepting applications today, with the deadline on March 17. Texas Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock emphasized that "Texas families are just days away from opening the door to new educational opportunities." The program aims to serve between 90,000 and 100,000 students with a $1bn budget, offering vouchers of $2,000 for homeschoolers, $10,474 for private school tuition, and up to $30,000 for students with disabilities. Families must present an Individualized Education Plan to prioritize their applications. Critics, including Our Schools Our Democracy, are launching the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency to monitor the program's rollout and spending.

LEADERSHIP

Dr. Brown bids farewell to Alvord ISD

Dr. Randy Brown, the superintendent of Alvord ISD, will retire at the end of the school year after 34 years in education, including 11 years at Alvord. In a phone interview, Brown said: "I really have felt that call to do something different and start a new career." He plans to assist with the transition until a new superintendent is hired. Brown’s tenure included significant contributions to school finance and the establishment of a police department. He emphasized the importance of fostering a positive work environment for educators, asserting: "Alvord had good people, good teachers, and academically they’ve done well." The Alvord School Board will soon begin the search for his successor, with Brown expressing confidence in the district's appeal to quality candidates.

DISTRICTS

Georgetown ISD delays school openings

Georgetown ISD (GISD) has decided to postpone the opening of its 12th elementary school and fifth middle school until the 2027-28 school year due to a budget shortfall and slowed enrollment growth. Superintendent Devin Padavil said: "Ultimately, these schools belong to the community... we also have to make sure we're making wise decisions." The district anticipates a $1.86m budget surplus next fiscal year by delaying the openings, which would have otherwise resulted in a $1.75m shortfall. GISD is also considering a voter-approval tax rate election in November to increase revenue and may open enrollment to students outside its boundaries. The district has seen a decline in projected enrollment growth, with estimates dropping from 14,491-14,817 students to 14,095-14,201 students for the upcoming school year.

Texas Education Agency extends La Joya ISD authority

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced that it will extend the authority of the La Joya ISD Board of Managers until February 1, 2028. This decision follows improvements in governance, financial integrity, and academic performance. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath stated that the extension will allow the district to build on recent progress before transitioning back to an elected school board. Additionally, Anita Chavez has stepped down from the board, with Valeria Vega appointed as her replacement. Superintendent Marcey Sorensen praised Chavez for her leadership, saying: "La Joya ISD is stronger because of her dedication to our students and community." Vega expressed her commitment to the district, remarking: "I look forward to working alongside others who share a deep commitment to our students."

Katy ISD approves fall breaks

Katy ISD's Board of Trustees approved changes to the instructional calendars for 2026–27 and 2027–28, introducing a fall break in October. This decision was influenced by community feedback, which showed strong support for the break. The district emphasized that the calendars comply with state requirements, ensuring at least 75,600 operational minutes.

UISD outlines 2026 vision

United ISD Superintendent Gerardo Cruz has outlined an ambitious vision for the district by 2026, emphasizing a commitment to education and student success. The district aims to enhance academic rigor, maintain its A-rated status, and expand early childhood programs for its 39,800 students. Future-ready learning is central to UISD's strategy, with initiatives like early college and dual credit opportunities designed to ease the financial burden of higher education. The district is focused on maintaining high graduation rates and expanding the Teacher Incentive Allotment to reward effective educators. Cruz concluded by emphasizing the importance of community partnerships and fiscal responsibility to ensure that every dollar benefits students.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Campus safety concerns rise for women

An analysis by Washington State researchers reveals that female college students aged 18 to 24 are 74% more likely to experience sexual violence. Following a reported rape at UC Irvine's Camino del Sol housing, students have expressed heightened fears for their safety. Destiny Anderson, an educational science major, stated: "You can’t be by yourself at night... It just feels unsafe." The increase in reported incidents of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) crimes across California campuses may stem from improved awareness and reporting processes. Stett Holbrook, associate director at the University of California Office of the President, noted that "improved Clery Act reporting and campus security response measures have contributed to an increase in reported VAWA crimes." Experts emphasize that the actual number of incidents is likely much higher than reported, as many survivors do not disclose their experiences. Lauren Roberts, founder of The Thriving Initiative, highlighted that "the numbers that are reported are not accurate" due to underreporting.

WORKFORCE

Carroll ISD trustees approve pay for weather closures

Carroll ISD trustees voted on February 2 to approve pay for both salaried and nonsalaried employees during school closures caused by inclement weather from January 26 to 28. Trustee Andrew Yeager said: "It's super beneficial, especially to our hourly employees who obviously can't get those hours in whenever we call off school." Additionally, the board is seeking a waiver from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to avoid makeup days for the missed instructional time. If granted, students and staff will not need to make up the three days lost. The district typically budgets for two days of missed instructional minutes each year, and this waiver addresses the third day. If denied, makeup days could be scheduled for March 13 and/or April 6.

Clear Creek ISD tackles uncertified teachers

Clear Creek ISD's board of trustees approved a strategic plan on February 2 to address the issue of uncertified teachers in the district. The plan aims to transition away from using District of Innovation waivers for hiring uncertified teachers in core subjects, in compliance with House Bill 2 from the 2025 Texas Legislature. Currently, about 2% of teachers in the district are uncertified but hold bachelor's degrees and are pursuing certification. The plan emphasizes support for these teachers, requiring new hires to enroll in an educator preparation program within 30 days and providing individualized support. Additionally, partnerships with the University of Houston will facilitate internship and residency programs. The district aims for full compliance with state requirements by the 2029-30 school year, as stated by district officials.

TECHNOLOGY

Anthropic research shows AI can weaken early skill development

An Anthropic study has found that while artificial intelligence (AI) tools can assist with task completion, heavy reliance on them may weaken skill development, particularly when people are learning new technical concepts. In experiments with developers learning an unfamiliar Python library, participants using AI scored about 17% lower on measures of conceptual understanding, code reading and debugging compared with those working without AI, and showed no significant overall productivity gains. The research shows that how AI is used matters: participants who delegated most thinking to AI learned the least, while those who used AI to ask conceptual questions or seek explanations retained stronger skills. The findings raise concerns for education and workforce training, suggesting that unstructured AI use could undermine long-term competence unless learning is deliberately designed to keep humans actively engaged.

INTERNATIONAL

Giant homework sheets go viral in China as parents seek fun ways to motivate children

Some parents in China are turning to giant-sized homework papers to motivate their children, a trend that has gone viral on social media while also dividing public opinion. Supporters say the oversized test sheets make studying more engaging and help children focus, with several parents reporting that their kids enjoyed the novelty and even asked for more. However, others say the approach backfired, with some children treating the huge papers as toys and becoming more resistant to studying once they realized it was homework. The debate comes amid ongoing efforts by the Chinese government to reduce academic pressure and encourage more balanced, “happy education” approaches, highlighting the tension between creativity in parenting and the country’s traditionally intense study culture.
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