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Texas
17th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

TEA faces transparency questions

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is under scrutiny for withholding information regarding superintendent candidates amid a state takeover of the Fort Worth ISD. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced plans to appoint new leaders soon, following a series of failed accountability ratings that triggered state intervention. While some details about board of managers candidates have been disclosed, information on superintendent applicants remains largely undisclosed. Attorney Bill Aleshire expressed concerns, stating: “I don't see any way someone can take the mere statistical information that (the Star-Telegram has) asked for and identify who any applicant is.” Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, emphasized the need for increased transparency during the takeover process, arguing that the public deserves to know more about the leadership changes.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning  

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:    
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  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
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  • Instructional strategies and tips
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NATIONAL NEWS

States seek ESSA flexibility

The U.S. Department of Education is urging states to seek waivers from major Every Student Succeeds Act provisions, aligning with the Trump administration’s push to return more education authority to states. Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma have advanced plans affecting federal funding, testing, and accountability. Proposed changes include merging funding streams, broadening assessment options, and sending school improvement dollars directly to students. Supporters say the moves could cut bureaucracy and target support more effectively, while critics caution they may weaken oversight, transparency, and protections for disadvantaged student groups.

DISTRICTS

Killeen ISD seeks charter school help

In a bid to prevent a state takeover, Killeen ISD's Board of Trustees is set to consider a three-year contract with Third Future Schools (TFS) to manage Manor Middle School during their March 24 meeting. Board President Brett E. Williams stated that the delay in discussing the contract was due to ongoing negotiations. TFS, founded by Mike Miles, currently serves over 6,000 students and has successfully transitioned five schools back to their districts. The partnership aims to improve accountability ratings, as Manor has faced unacceptable ratings for several years. The board's decision follows mixed community feedback, with some preferring the ACE intervention model over the 1882 partnership. If approved, TFS will take over staffing and curriculum while KISD retains facility management.

Houston ISD plans transitions

Houston ISD’s plan to close 12 schools will send nearly 3,000 students to 13 campuses, creating concerns about traffic, safety, program changes, and school culture. Many parents at receiving schools said they were unaware of the incoming enrollment shifts and questioned how campuses will handle the transition. District officials said teams are working through the spring and summer to support families, while promising shuttle services for students from closing campuses and comparable academic programming where possible.

Virtual learning expands in North Texas

School districts in North Texas, including Frisco, Granbury, Denton, and Argyle ISDs, are introducing full-time virtual and hybrid learning programs for high school students this fall, following the passage of Senate Bill 569. "Gives us a little bit more freedom and how we meet the needs of our students," said Wes Cunningham, Associate Deputy Superintendent of Frisco ISD. The Frisco Flex program will be available to all high school students, including those from outside the district. Granbury ISD's BridgeED program aims to retain students amid declining enrollment, with Superintendent Courtney Morawski emphasizing the need to create systems that attract students.

Killeen ISD considers school property sales

Killeen ISD is moving forward with the sale of two decommissioned elementary school properties. At the upcoming March 24 meeting, KISD's Board of Trustees will consider accepting bids of $450,000 for the former Clifton Park Elementary School and $350,000 for the Sugar Loaf Elementary School. Adam Rich, KISD's assistant superintendent for facilities services, clarified: “The administrative recommendation is to approve the proposed resolution approving the property sale to the city of Killeen as presented.” The district has also decommissioned Bellaire Elementary School and plans to close Peebles Elementary School, Eastern Hills Middle School, and Palo Alto Middle School at the end of the current school year. There are discussions about potential future uses for these properties, including interest from Vintage Christian Academy for the Eastern Hills building.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Georgetown ISD tackles behavior challenges

Georgetown ISD is taking steps to support teachers in managing student behavioral issues by proposing the hiring of 10 new behavior coaches and paraprofessionals. Superintendent Devin Padavil noted that "students have changed in the last five years," highlighting the need for additional support as teachers face increased challenges. The proposed roles aim to assist educators by modeling effective strategies and providing guidance in real-time. Currently, the district has limited resources for general education classrooms, with only one dedicated position across 18 campuses. The situation has been exacerbated by a 22% teacher turnover rate over the past four years, largely attributed to behavioral issues.

STEM

Temple ISD launches new STEM initiatives

Temple ISD is set to enhance its STEM initiatives with over $42,000 in grants from Meta. The academics department will receive $11,000 for an artificial intelligence innovation lab, while the digital learning department will get $31,335 for a mobile, immersive planetarium. Chief academic officer Renota Rogers said: "Meta has been a tremendous partner for Temple ISD... I’m grateful for their continued generosity." The AI lab aims to provide practical learning experiences for middle and high school students, focusing on college readiness and responsible AI usage. The planetarium will offer 3D visualizations to enrich science lessons and engage families during district events.

South Texas ISD schools earn Apple honor

South Texas ISD has announced that five of its campuses have been designated as Apple Distinguished Schools for the 2026-2029 program term. This recognition is awarded to schools committed to continuous innovation in education and effectively using Apple products to enhance teaching and learning. The campuses include South Texas ISD Health Professions, South Texas ISD Medical Professions, South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy, South Texas ISD Science Academy, and South Texas ISD World Scholars.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Alvin ISD tackles bus safety

Alvin ISD's board of trustees is set to discuss compliance with Senate Bill 546, which mandates three-point seat belts on all school buses by September 1, 2029. The law, passed during the 89th Texas Legislature, does not include state funding, but districts can seek donations to help cover costs. To fully comply with SB 546, Alvin ISD would need to retrofit or replace buses at an estimated cost of $12.6m.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Pride celebrations face major cuts

Austin ISD has made significant changes to its Pride celebrations, ceasing the use of district funds for events and halting curriculum related to inclusion and diverse family structures. This decision coincided with the passage of Senate Bill 12, which restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in K-12 schools. The district's Pride Week will now be more limited, with events held outside instructional hours and new policies preventing the identification of students in photos.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Klein ISD parents demand safety changes

A group of parents from Klein ISD is advocating for enhanced safety measures following a series of gun-related incidents in the district. These incidents included a gun being fired at Klein Collins High School and a student displaying an unloaded gun at Klein High School. "I had a pit in my stomach," said parent Lauren McRae, who is part of a new safety coalition. The coalition is working to establish a petition that demands measurable safety standards, real-time notifications after incidents, and an independent safety audit of the campuses. McRae emphasized the importance of being "proactive instead of reactive." The district has also announced increased safety measures, including more police presence and metal detectors.

Oscar-winning documentary shines light

The documentary "All the Empty Rooms," which memorializes the bedrooms of children killed in school shootings, won the Academy Award for best documentary short film. Directed by Joshua Seftel, the film highlights the preserved bedroom of Uvalde victim Jackie Cazares, who was killed in the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. During the Oscars, Seftel stated: "The empty rooms in our film belong to four young children who were all killed in school shootings."

HIGHER EDUCATION

Texas students face college challenges

As college decision deadlines approach, many Texas students are uncertain about their future in higher education. Currently, only 47% of Texas high school graduates enroll in college directly, which is below the national average of 61%. Lily Kepner, a reporter for the American-Statesman, highlighted that "the state is producing a record number of graduates each year but is still 170,000 annual awards away from meeting its goal." The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board aims for 60% of working-age Texans to hold post-secondary credentials by 2030. Initiatives like free tuition for in-district high school seniors at Austin Community College and partnerships for skills training are being implemented to improve access and completion rates.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korean teens averaging six hours of daily screen time

South Korean high school students spend about six hours a day on screens but just over one hour on outdoor activities, highlighting a significant imbalance in physical activity, according to a report from the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education. The study surveyed 1,212 second-year high school students in 2024. Students reported using smartphones and computers for an average of 5.8 hours per day for girls and 6.2 hours for boys. The most common activities were entertainment and studying (1.5 hours each), followed by social media (1.4 hours), and gaming (1.1 hours). Girls tended to spend more time on social media, while boys spent more time gaming. By contrast, outdoor activities such as exercise averaged 1.1 hours on weekdays and 1.6 hours on weekends, and fewer than 40% of students said outdoor leisure activities were part of their routine. Nearly 99% of respondents reported daily use of phones or computers. The report also highlighted a significant perception gap between students and parents regarding device use. While 86.3% of students described themselves as moderate users and only 1.2% believed they overused devices, 36.7% of parents said their children were at high risk of multimedia overuse. 
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