Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
Texas
1st May 2026
Together with

THE HOT STORY

Phone ban boosts student reading

Texas’ bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions are showing early behavior changes in public schools. Dallas ISD, serving more than 130,000 students, reported over 200,000 additional library book checkouts, about a 24% rise from last year by March 31. Hillcrest High School librarian Nina Canales said students first complained about boredom, but “once they lock into these stories, they don’t seem to care about their phones at all.” Leaders also report more eye contact, lunchtime conversations, and games such as Uno, while supporters link the policy to focus, lower distractions, and stronger reading habits. Critics cite emergency-access and consistency concerns as debate continues.

DIGITAL CURRICULUM

Choose the Right Digital Curriculum  

How do you determine which digital courses will meet your students’ and teachers’ needs best? Get expert answers to your digital curriculum questions in the free Digital Curriculum Buyer’s Guide from FlexPoint. While you learn how to identify quality digital courses, you’ll complete worksheets that will offer a clear path toward your goals. These insights, tips, and more are vital to making the right purchasing decisions for your school or district.  

Download Free Guide

 

GOVERNANCE

Texas takes control of struggling districts

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has taken control of two more school districts, Beaumont ISD and Lake Worth ISD, due to ongoing academic struggles and financial mismanagement. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath clarified: "For more than a decade, persistent academic struggles have held students back from reaching their full potential." The agency's intervention allows it to replace the elected school boards and superintendents to improve educational outcomes. BISD has faced failing accountability ratings for over ten years, while LWISD aims to enhance proficiency in reading and math. To exit state control, both districts must meet specific criteria, including achieving zero multi-year unacceptable campuses and improving student performance. This marks the second intervention by TEA in April 2026, following a similar action in March at Fort Worth ISD.

Beaumont ISD gets new leadership

Sandi Massey has been appointed as the new state-appointed superintendent of Beaumont ISD amid ongoing academic struggles. Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath stated: "For more than a decade, persistent academic struggles have held students back from reaching their full potential." This marks Beaumont's second state intervention in ten years, following a previous takeover due to financial mismanagement. Massey, who previously served as chief of schools in Houston ISD, aims to transform Beaumont ISD, which has faced years of poor performance, particularly at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School and Fehl-Price Elementary School. Despite efforts to partner with Third Future Schools, the district's challenges persisted, leading to the current state intervention.

FINANCE

Budget boost for Allen ISD staff

Allen ISD officials are finalizing the budget for the 2026-27 school year, with a key factor being a proposed 2% compensation increase for district staff, said Kyle Penn, assistant superintendent of business and technology. This proposal will be discussed at a May 11 workshop meeting, which Board Vice President Bill Parker emphasized is crucial for teachers to understand their compensation before the break. The district anticipates $221.3m in revenue against $224.5m in expenses, with expenses rising by $1.5m for each 1% compensation increase. Penn noted, “We don't ever spend every dollar,” indicating a history of underspending. The board will finalize the budget on May 26, with a public notice in June and tax rate adoption expected in August. Parker praised the district's expense management despite revenue challenges.

Bastrop ISD budget faces challenges

As Bastrop ISD prepares its budget proposal for the 2026-27 financial year, updated enrollment projections and legislative impacts are shaping its strategy. Mike White, the district's chief financial officer, indicated that the district will receive approximately $700,000 less in hold harmless funding due to an increase in the homestead exemption. He noted that the budget will be supported by one-time cash infusions. With a slowdown in enrollment growth, the district is planning for a "no growth" scenario, which includes a 15% reduction in nonclassroom and nonpayroll departments. Potential budget considerations include hiring additional police officers, adjusting teacher pay scales, and increasing paraprofessional minimum pay to $15 per hour.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Houston's private school tuition skyrockets

Tuition at Houston's most expensive private schools is set to range from just under $30,000 to $63,000 for the 2026-27 school year. A recent analysis by the Houston Chronicle revealed that nearly 35 private schools will charge over $30,000 annually, a significant increase from just three in 2019. The median tuition among these schools is $37,000, with most raising rates by 4% to 6%. Notably, The Journey School increased its tuition by about 17%, while Xavier Academy did not raise its rates this year. The Chronicle's report also highlighted that fewer than half of these schools will participate in Texas' new $1bn school voucher program, which aims to assist families with private education costs. "Many top-rated Houston private schools aren't accepting vouchers," the report stated.

DISTRICTS

Houston culinary club faces competition chaos

Students at Northside High School in Houston faced disappointment when the Houston ISD denied two members of their culinary club the chance to compete in a statewide competition due to a conflict with the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam. Emily Yanez, the club president, expressed frustration, stating, "It is cruel to let every student compete and practice for something they would later be told was a waste of their time." This incident reflects a troubling trend, as other families have reported similar cancellations of school trips, leading to concerns about the district's commitment to student experiences beyond standardized testing. Ruth Kravetz, executive director of Community Voices for Public Education, emphasized the importance of these competitions, saying, "Whether it's academic, artistic, or athletic, these competitions help students grow as human beings."

McKinney ISD secures key waivers

McKinney ISD has received approval from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for three waivers for the 2026-27 school year. The board of trustees approved these applications during an April 20 meeting, which include a staff development minutes waiver allowing up to 2,100 minutes of instructional time for staff training, modified schedules for state testing days, and a limit of five foreign exchange students per high school. "These waivers have been submitted in past school years to align with district practices," officials noted. Additionally, Chief Financial Officer Marlene Harbeson provided a budget update, indicating slowing growth in property tax values, which may lead to a larger budget shortfall for the district.

Texas schools shine with excellence

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has honored Tornillo High School, Copperas Cove High School, and Jose J. Alderete Middle School with the My Texas Future School of Excellence award for their exceptional use of the My Texas Future website in guiding students' educational journeys. "Our award recipients are exemplars," said Commissioner of Higher Education Wynn Rosser, highlighting the schools' commitment to helping students explore careers and higher education options.

Round Rock ISD launches virtual academy

Round Rock ISD is set to launch a virtual academy this fall, offering 300 spots for high school students. Announced in April, the program will be self-paced and asynchronous, allowing students to enroll virtually or in a hybrid format with a minimum of four online courses. All participants can engage in extracurricular activities and attend campus events. Students must choose one of the district's five comprehensive high schools as their home campus, and the program is open to both in-district and out-of-district students. Families interested in enrollment should attend one of two information sessions on May 2 at Pearson Ranch Middle School. "The program will be self-paced and asynchronous," said the district.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD expands college pathways

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD is enhancing college and career opportunities for students by earning new Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) designations for the 2026-2027 school year. Dr. Alejandro Elias, PSJA ISD Superintendent, said: “These new P-TECH designations strengthen the work we’ve already built across all six of our early college high schools.” The district, a leader in early college education, aims to align high school education with workforce needs, particularly in high-demand sectors like healthcare and technology. With over 3,000 students participating in dual credit courses, PSJA ISD is committed to ensuring that every student has access to college-level coursework and the opportunity to earn an associate degree at no cost.

Summer internships boost student prospects

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and El Paso ISD are launching a summer internship program aimed at high school students. Starting in June, this initiative will provide paid internships across various departments at UTEP, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in a research university setting. EPISD Superintendent Brian Lusk emphasized the program's goal to "provide every student with a high-quality education that provides pathways to prosperity." UTEP President Heather Wilson added, "UTEP is committed to engaged learning," highlighting the importance of inspiring students to pursue their education at UTEP. A total of 13 internships will be available, with students required to apply and interview, thus enhancing their professional skills.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Texas schools buckle up for safety

During the 2025 Texas Legislative session, Senate Bill 546 was passed, mandating that all Texas school districts equip their bus fleets with three-point seat belts by September 1, 2029. The Leander ISD is evaluating two options to comply: retrofitting existing buses at a cost of $30,000-$45,000 each, totaling approximately $4.2m, or purchasing new buses for about $18m. Chief Operations Officer Jeremy Trimble emphasized the importance of meeting federal safety standards, stating: "All the buses have to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards." Funding for this mandate may come from the general fund budget, but additional reductions or allocations will be necessary. The LISD board is expected to make a decision on funding at its May 7 meeting.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe