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The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has introduced the Educator Misconduct Dashboard, an interactive online tool designed to enhance transparency regarding teacher misconduct. This resource provides access to misconduct reports, investigations, and the Do Not Hire Registry, which currently lists over 4,000 individuals ineligible for employment due to misconduct or criminal history. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath emphasized the importance of transparency, claiming: "This dashboard and associated resources reflect our commitment to ensuring the safety of all students and the integrity of those privileged to serve in our classrooms." The dashboard also includes a Student Protection Resource Center, offering guidance on detecting and reporting signs of neglect or abuse, as required by Texas law. TEA Inspector General for Educator Misconduct Levi Fuller noted that the dashboard serves as a "one stop hub" for critical information.

 

KTRK-TV

Chron.com

Laredo Morning Times

Star-Telegram

Title IX & State-by-State Sexual Harassment Compliance Requirements

Preparing for the upcoming school year? Vector Solutions’ state-by-state guide helps districts better understand Title IX, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment training requirements. Use it to review reporting and prevention mandates, align role-specific training, and simplify compliance tracking before the school year begins.

Download Guide

 

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a comprehensive review of its E-Rate program, a roughly $3bn annual subsidy scheme that has funded internet connectivity for schools and libraries for nearly 30 years. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said a proposal outlining potential changes will be released this week, with an initial commission vote scheduled for June 25. The review comes amid growing concerns about excessive screen time among children. Carr noted that several states and school districts are already limiting device usage, particularly for younger students, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently issued the first Surgeon General's warning on the potential harms of excessive screen use. The FCC is seeking public feedback on both the legal and policy implications of children's access to subsidized internet services, including how parents, guardians, and teachers should be involved in related decisions. A senior FCC official said the review will examine whether the program has fulfilled its original mission and whether ongoing funding remains consistent with congressional objectives. The E-Rate program is funded through fees collected from telecommunications companies and passed on to consumers via the Universal Service Fee on phone bills. The review follows the FCC's September decision to end subsidies for Wi-Fi on school buses, after the agency allocated $48m to support onboard internet access in 2024.

 

Reuters

A new national survey of educators by the EdWeek Research Center found that heightened federal immigration enforcement during the 2025-26 school year contributed to increased anxiety, fear, and absenteeism among immigrant students, particularly in large urban districts. Among educators working with immigrant populations, 57% reported students expressing fear and anxiety, up from 50% in the fall, while reports of reduced attendance rose to 39% from 24%. The proportion of educators reporting no impact from immigration enforcement fell to 23%. Schools have increasingly responded by expanding counseling and mental health services, with 36% of educators reporting additional support for affected students, compared with 26% in the fall. Educators described disruptions to learning, attendance challenges, and concerns about academic performance as immigration enforcement activities occurred in surrounding communities. Survey results also showed that nearly three-quarters of schools serving immigrant students now have formal or informal protocols in place for responding to requests from federal immigration authorities.

 

Education Week News

Austin ISD is at risk of being taken over by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) after its application for Texas Partnership benefits was denied. TEA cited that three of its middle schools received failing grades for four out of the last six school years. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath stated that state law mandates intervention for districts with failing ratings for five consecutive years. Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura expressed disappointment over the decision, emphasizing the need for support to improve student outcomes. He noted: "We chose this path because we remain entirely confident in TCIS's proven ability to lift student outcomes." Despite the denial, Austin ISD can still pursue a partnership with the Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS) to enhance academic performance. The district is also grappling with a $181m budget deficit and plans to close 10 schools.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Moore County News Press

The Houston Chronicle claims that Mike Miles' aggressive reforms in Houston ISDare negatively impacting not only struggling schools but also high-performing ones. A parent recounts her daughter's experience, revealing that her middle school lacks an English teacher, leading to a decline in her reading engagement. While HISD has eliminated failing campuses, the strict management style has driven away many talented teachers, with a turnover rate nearly double the state's average, according to the Chronicle. The editorial emphasizes that the supposed improvements in HISD's educational quality are overshadowed by the loss of experienced educators and the detrimental effects on students' learning experiences.

 

Houston Chronicle

Tiffany Doolan, former principal of Wylie East High School, resigned on May 26 following intense backlash over a "Why Islam" cultural awareness event held in February. She received over 1,500 hostile messages, including threats and derogatory comments, with some voicemails labeling her "anti-American" and calling for her arrest. Wylie ISD stated that Doolan was a victim of targeted online attacks and public hostility, noting that criticisms became personal. In a letter to parents, Doolan expressed gratitude for her time at the school, stating: "Every decision I have ever made was rooted in care for students and in what I believed was best for kids." Following the incident, the district revised its policies regarding outside visitors to ensure better oversight.

 

Star-Telegram

The Celina ISD board of trustees has voted to remove eight titles from its library catalog, including "Beloved" by Toni Morrison and "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, under Senate Bill 13, which took effect last September. The board's decision, made during meetings on April 20 and May 18, followed recommendations from the school library advisory council. Chief Academic Officer Kyla Prusak stated that materials deemed inappropriate will be removed from all school libraries. Trustee Michael Wagoner submitted all challenges but abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest. The SLAC, formed in July 2022, reviews challenges to library materials that may conflict with local community values. Residents can file challenges without reading the books, and the board will consider renewing the SLAC in July. Additionally, SB 13 allows parents to monitor their children's library checkouts and restrict access to specific books.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Lockhart ISD is launching the "Childhood Unlocked" initiative for the 2026–2027 school year, aimed at enhancing student well-being by promoting free play and reducing technology use. The initiative, approved by the Board of Trustees, includes measures such as increasing recess time by 50% for grades PK-5, creating free play opportunities for grades 6-8, and reducing screen time by 50% during the school day. Superintendent Dr. Mark Estrada emphasized: "This initiative is not about eliminating technology. It’s about creating healthier balance." The district aims to foster a supportive environment for students, encouraging physical activity and meaningful connections while addressing the impact of excessive screen time and social media on youth. 

 

Lockhart Post-Register

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is making significant changes to its special education programs due to declining student populations, affecting around 250 students. Kristi Santi, a professor at the University of Houston, noted: "Programs change as populations and resources change, and it is something that occurs at a national level." The district is consolidating programs while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and effective resource use. This trend is not isolated, as Houston ISD is also consolidating special education, prompting a civil rights investigation by the Department of Education. Santi emphasized the urgency of these changes, stating: "Three months is short term, with a lot of questions the parents have a right to have answered before the change officially takes place." Cy-Fair ISD assures that no teaching jobs will be affected and plans to update its website over the summer.

 

KTRK-TV

Bryan ISD trustees unanimously approved a $2.2m employee compensation package during their June 1 meeting, despite ongoing financial pressures from declining enrollment and limited state funding growth. Chief financial officer Norma Friddle emphasized the need to balance employee recognition with the district's long-term financial stability, stating: “First, our employees deserve to be recognized for the incredible work they do each day on behalf of our students.” The plan includes a one-time $500 stipend for full-time employees, a $50-per-week attendance incentive for bus drivers, and increases in starting teacher salaries. Despite projecting a budget deficit of up to $3.3m for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the compensation adjustments are designed to be financially sustainable. The board also discussed a potential voter-approval tax rate election to secure additional revenue for employee compensation.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

At the June 2 board meeting, Tomball ISD approved a 2% pay raise for teachers and staff, marking the 15th consecutive year of salary increases. The board also approved the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which includes a general fund of $258.5m, a food service budget of $13.12m, and a debt service budget of $87m. Although the budget shows a projected shortfall of $5.9m, TISD trustee Patrick Beecher expressed confidence in overcoming the deficit, stating, “I have confidence in the staff that we can make that up.”

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Klein ISD board of trustees will hold a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 general budget on June 8. Following this hearing, the board will discuss the budget further, with plans to adopt it later in the meeting. KISD chief financial officer Daniel Shaefer said: "With the surplus, the district will have a balanced budget over both fiscal years," referring to the projected $20m surplus from FY 2025-26 that will help address the FY 2026-27 shortfall.  

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The recent decision by Houston ISD to remove 33 schools from the Community Eligibility Provision has raised concerns about increased hunger and stigma among students. This federal program allowed high-poverty schools to provide free meals without questions. HISD stated that the change was not discretionary, as the schools did not meet federal guidelines. Nearly 80% of HISD's 183,000 students are economically disadvantaged, and the loss of automatic free meals will burden families with paperwork and potential meal charges. "Children can't learn if they are hungry," highlighting the critical link between nutrition and education. The move follows broader cuts to federal food assistance, which have already impacted many Texas families.

 

Houston Chronicle

Students from UTRGV Harlingen Collegiate High School are enhancing medication access for astronauts by developing improved packaging for Ibuprofen. Natalie Flores, 18, said: “Me and my team of three chose the packaging for medication on the ISS and future space missions.” The project is part of NASA HUNCH (High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware), which allows students to collaborate with NASA engineers on various projects. The team created three designs for medication packaging that ensures longer shelf life and individual dosing. 

 

The Monitor

Ontario’s five major education unions have formally served notice to bargain with the provincial government, beginning negotiations for new contracts covering teachers and education workers in public, Catholic, and French-language schools before existing agreements expire in August. Union leaders say their priorities include reducing class sizes, particularly in kindergarten and Grades 4 to 8, increasing staffing levels, boosting special education funding, and securing wage increases. They argue that schools are facing mounting challenges, including staff shortages, larger and more complex classrooms, rising student mental health needs, and increased incidents of violence. Education Minister Paul Calandra has acknowledged that negotiations are likely to be difficult but said he remains optimistic about reaching agreements through collaboration rather than labor disruptions.

 

CBC News