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Texas
10th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Houston ISD cuts: A drastic measure

The Houston ISD board has unanimously approved a reduction in force affecting over 23,000 employees, allowing for potential layoffs and reassignments. This decision comes as the district aims to balance its budget for the 2026-27 school year. Elected Trustee Felicity Pereyra expressed concerns, stating, "The research is unambiguous," regarding the benefits of certified teachers for student outcomes. The district has seen a decline in both staff and student numbers, with a 5% drop in employees and a 16% decrease in students since 2018-19. Critics, including Trustee Maria Benzon, questioned the rationale behind the layoffs while hiring fairs are ongoing, suggesting that the situation may be more about manipulation than budgetary needs.

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STATE NEWS

Hinojosa challenges STAAR testing system

Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate for Texas governor, is criticizing the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing, which is set to take place this week. She stated: "This week, classrooms across Texas will go quiet as our kids take flawed, high-stakes tests that fail to reliably measure student achievement." Hinojosa highlighted the financial implications, noting that over $1.7bn has been awarded to STAAR test vendors since Governor Greg Abbott took office in 2015. She argues that the STAAR test undermines accountability and is used to justify privatization efforts in public education. Hinojosa has pledged to eliminate STAAR testing if elected, contrasting Abbott's actions, which she claims have expanded the number of standardized tests from 15 to 51.

NATIONAL NEWS

Four-day weeks, mixed results

Four-day school weeks have spread to more than 2,100 schools in 26 states, especially in rural areas and more rapidly since the pandemic. The model is often adopted to ease teacher burnout, support recruitment, and trim costs, but the evidence is uneven. Research cited in the text suggests academic outcomes depend heavily on preserved instructional time, while savings are typically modest. Some districts report reduced bullying and fights, but other studies link shortened weeks to food insecurity, weaker health habits, and only limited gains in teacher retention.

Deepfakes outpace school response

AI-generated explicit images of students are spreading quickly in schools, with teenage girls frequently targeted through cheap, accessible tools that can fabricate sexualized images in seconds. Although many places criminalize sharing nonconsensual deepfakes, schools often lack clear policies, apply discipline inconsistently, and provide little education on the issue. Victims may suffer emotional distress, isolation, and lasting psychological harm, while parents describe frustration with limited transparency. Advocates say schools are reacting too slowly and need stronger rules, education, and support for affected students.

DISTRICTS

Parents unite for Fort Worth schools

Families Organized Resisting Takeover (FORT) is advocating for improved educational outcomes in Fort Worth ISD following the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) intervention. Dionna Deardorff, communications director of FORT, emphasized that "real improvement in our schools cannot happen without us," highlighting the importance of family engagement in education. The group is concerned about the lack of democratic representation under the new Board of Managers and Superintendent Peter B. Licata, appointed by the TEA. FORT aims to ensure that the focus remains on student outcomes, advocating for a holistic approach to education that includes literacy, fine arts, and emotional well-being. They warn against blind support for the TEA's intervention, stressing the need for accountability and transparency.

Lubbock ISD unveils school closure dashboard

Lubbock ISD has launched a public dashboard to monitor school performance and assess potential closures and consolidations. This initiative follows the District Optimization Plan approved by the Board of Trustees in early 2026, which established three key criteria for school evaluation: enrollment below 450 students, facility utilization at 70% or less, and per-pupil spending exceeding 5% above the district average. The district plans to present a list of schools meeting these criteria to the school board in October, marking the beginning of discussions on closures. "If a school meets all three, there are several other factors the board must look at before voting on the closure," the district stated. Schools currently meeting all three criteria include Bayless Elementary, Cavazos Middle, Mackenzie Middle, Parsons Elementary, and Wolffarth Elementary.

Katy ISD students excel in assessments

Katy ISD elementary students are surpassing the national average in reading and math, according to recent assessment data. At a March 30 meeting, Natalie Martinez, executive director of school improvement for Katy ISD, discussed the first-year rollout of the Northwest Evaluation Association for measures of academic progress (NWEA MAP) assessments. These assessments, which do not replace existing tests, aim to provide immediate insights into student performance. The adaptive test, consisting of about 40 questions, adjusts in difficulty based on student responses. The district plans to implement beginning-of-year assessments for kindergarten students next year and will ensure that student reports are sent directly to parents this fall.

New principal appointed at Walnut Springs

Dripping Springs ISD has appointed Dr. Leanna Pesta as the new principal of Walnut Springs Elementary School, following unanimous approval by the Board of Trustees on March 30. With seven years of elementary administration experience and over 15 years in education, Pesta previously served as principal at NYOS Charter School in Austin.

Hutto teacher wins prestigious Milken award

Olivia Joseph, a kindergarten teacher at Howard Norman Elementary School in Hutto has been awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award, often referred to as the "Oscars of teaching." Joseph is the only recipient in Texas this year and received a $25,000 stipend as part of the honor.

Christus Health eyes Longview ISD building

Christus Health is in negotiations to acquire the former math and science building of Longview ISD, located at 500 E. Magrill, for $1.55m. Meanwhile, Longview ISD is advancing several construction projects funded by a $456m bond initiative approved in May 2024, including a new Multipurpose Indoor Facility and a Career and Technical Education center. The new CTE facility will honor former Principal James Brewer, who passed away in July 2023, reflecting community support for the decision.

WORKFORCE

Midland ISD boosts teacher incentives

Midland ISD has expanded its Teacher Incentive Allotment, increasing the number of teachers receiving designations through the state program. The initiative aims to enhance teacher recruitment and retention by offering higher salaries to those who meet performance standards. "TIA provides the opportunity to honor and invest in the incredible work happening in our classrooms every day," said Stephanie Howard, superintendent of MISD. The program, established by House Bill 3 in June 2019, allows teachers to earn six-figure salaries based on their effectiveness. To date, MISD has distributed over $6.4m in TIA payments, reinforcing its strategy to attract and retain top teaching talent.

CLASSROOM

Killeen ISD campuses earn national recognition

Killeen ISD announced that over 20 of its campuses have been designated as Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase Schools for the 2025–2026 school year. This recognition highlights the strong relationships and positive culture present in these schools, where students feel a sense of belonging. The Capturing Kids' Hearts program emphasizes relationship-building practices that foster a supportive environment, leading to improved student connections and focused classrooms. The recognized campuses include Cedar Valley Elementary, Clear Creek Elementary, and Harker Heights Elementary, among others.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Keller ISD considers major bond

Keller ISD is considering a bond to fund facility improvements over the next decade, as discussed in a board workshop on April 8. The district has engaged RWB Consulting Engineers to conduct a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing audit to prioritize facility needs. The identified needs are categorized into six priorities, with the first three focusing on urgent maintenance within the next ten years, estimated to cost $1.1bn.

Fredericksburg schools seek $160m bond

Fredericksburg ISD's board president, Matt Seidenberger, and interim superintendent, Ann Dixon, presented to the Fredericksburg City Council the need for a $160m bond election on May 2. The bond aims to construct a modern high school and improve existing facilities, addressing safety concerns and outdated infrastructure. "The purpose of the bond, mainly is to build a modernized high school," Seidenberger said. The proposed school will be located on district property, with plans to retain some old structures while demolishing others. Dixon highlighted the challenges of maintaining safety with "133 exterior doors" at the current high school. Importantly, the bond will not increase the tax rate, which has remained stable at 10.6 cents for 17 years.

Borman Elementary construction on track

During a recent Denton ISD and Denton City Council meeting, updates were provided on the construction of Borman Elementary School, which is set to open for the 2026-27 school year. Brandon Boyter, DISD's executive director of construction planning and growth, said: “We like to say that our current [elementary schools'] capacity is somewhere in the 750 range... This building will be able to hold about [900].” The project includes significant advancements such as completed roofing, masonry, and interior work. Additionally, other school projects are either underway or in the permitting phase, with updates planned for 15 DISD schools and facilities.
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