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Texas
10th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Younger students show academic recovery, but teen scores remain stalled

New results from the 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Long-Term Trend assessment show encouraging signs of recovery in reading and math among nine-year-olds, while achievement among 13-year-olds remains stagnant, extending a decade-long decline in academic performance. Nine-year-olds improved in both subjects compared with 2023, with the largest gains coming from the lowest-performing students, suggesting that achievement gaps may be beginning to narrow after widening during and after the pandemic. In contrast, 13-year-olds showed no statistically significant improvement in either reading or math, with scores remaining near levels last seen decades ago. Education officials said the results indicate both progress and continuing concern. Reading scores for 13-year-olds are now roughly comparable to those recorded in 1971, while math performance has failed to recover from a decline that began around 2012. Experts pointed to several possible factors behind the stronger performance among younger students, including the nationwide adoption of evidence-based literacy instruction under the "science of reading" movement. The results also highlight differences in how age groups experienced pandemic disruptions. Today's nine-year-olds were preschool-aged when COVID-19 began, while current 13-year-olds spent much of their elementary education during the pandemic.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Trump school choice plan seeks bipartisan appeal by including public school benefits

A new federal school choice law signed by President Donald Trump will create the first nationwide voucher-style education program, but unlike many state-level initiatives, it will also allow public school students to benefit. The Education Freedom Tax Credit will fund scholarships for private school tuition, tutoring, special education services, and other educational expenses through a generous federal tax credit system. The New York Times reports that, at a closed-door event at the Treasury Department on Tuesday, Kevin Salinger, a Trump administration official, said that public school families can use the funds for services such as tutoring and supplemental support, while public schools may also be able to receive funding by offering eligible programs. The initiative is designed in part to attract bipartisan support, with Democratic governors in New York and Colorado already opting in and others reconsidering earlier opposition. Supporters argue the program could provide new resources for students without reducing existing public school funding, while critics, including teachers’ unions, contend it still diverts public support toward private education and could ultimately undermine traditional public schools. The program is expected to begin next year, with final regulations due in September.

STATE NEWS

Hinojosa rallies support for Texas schools

Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate for Texas governor, visited Fort Worth to discuss her education vision during her Team Texas Public Schools tour. Opposing current Gov. Greg Abbott, Hinojosa criticized the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) takeover of local school districts, stating: “Yes, our schools need the improvement. But it can never, ever be the answer that we take our public schools away from parents and the community.” She pledged to end the TEA's A-F accountability system and the STAAR tests, emphasizing the need for locally elected leaders to make decisions for public schools. Despite trailing Abbott in polls, Hinojosa expressed optimism, urging attendees to “resist in every way you know how” against state control. She believes that most Texans support her vision for public education and aims to gain bipartisan support if elected.

WORKFORCE

Tyler ISD teachers earn big rewards

Tyler ISD has recognized 361 teachers with the prestigious Tyler Optimal Performance (TOP) Teacher designation, resulting in $4.36m in additional state compensation. The initiative, part of the Teacher Incentive Allotment established by House Bill 3, aims to attract and retain effective educators. Sheri Taylor, executive director of human resources at Tyler ISD, said: “The continued expansion of our TOP Teacher program highlights the exceptional work happening in classrooms across Tyler ISD every day.” Among the honorees, 179 were newly designated or advanced, while 182 maintained their previous status. Awards range from $3,500 to $26,500 based on designation level and campus eligibility, with 85% of the allotment going directly to designated teachers. Taylor emphasized the importance of these designations in recognizing educators who make a significant impact on student achievement and in encouraging retention within the profession.

Arlington ISD joins TIA

Arlington ISD has been approved to participate in the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, allowing the district to offer teachers up to $36,000 more annually. The TIA program, initiated by the Texas Legislature in 2019, rewards high-performing educators based on classroom performance and student growth. The program will be implemented across 24 campuses over the next two school years, with the first payouts expected in July 2028.

New principal takes the helm

Sanjuanita E. Peña has been appointed as the new principal of Floresville South Elementary, effective July 1, 2026. Currently serving as Assistant Principal at Floresville Middle School, Peña has over a decade of experience in education, focusing on student support and instructional leadership. Superintendent Jason Gilstrap praised her as a "strong instructional leader who understands Floresville ISD, our students, and our community."

FINANCE

United ISD faces budget cuts and controversy

United ISD (UISD)is grappling with a budget deficit and declining enrollment, prompting a special board meeting to discuss its employee compensation plan for the 2026-2027 school year. UISD has denied claims made by the Facebook group Parents United regarding proposed salary cuts, which include a $1,000 annual decrease for teachers and increased health insurance premiums. UISD chief financial officer Laida Benavides previously indicated that closing Matias De Llano and Amparo Gutierrez Elementary Schools could save approximately $2.2m. The board will also address various appointments and employee health benefits during the meeting. "Together, we must hold the board accountable and ensure every dollar serves kids," Parents United stated.

Klein ISD budget approved with no tax hike

The Klein ISD board has approved the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, maintaining the property tax rate at $1.0119 per $100 of property value. KISD Chief Financial Officer Dan Schaefer noted that the district will not receive official median homestead values from the Harris County Appraisal District until after the new fiscal year begins on July 1. The budget was adopted unanimously, offsetting a previously projected shortfall with a $20m surplus from 2025-26. Schaefer mentioned that school districts are facing financial challenges due to inflation and underfunded safety requirements mandated by the state. The KISD board is scheduled to meet again on July 13.

Willis ISD budget workshop insights

Willis ISD (WISD) is set to hold its second budget workshop for the fiscal year 2026-27 on June 10, where trustees will review key items such as the employee compensation plan and new classroom equipment. The district's budget is projected at $104m, a slight increase from last year's $103.1m. WISD chief financial officer Garett Matej will present the budget, while updates on the Lone Star Governance House Bill 3 plan will be provided by WISD director of accountability Sue Clardy. This plan focuses on critical areas in student education, including early years literacy and overall student performance. The meetings will take place at the Sharon Jill Jenette Administration Building at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

GOVERNANCE

School board conflicts reshape governance

Recent research from the Brookings Institution highlights ongoing tensions within school boards, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy, stated: "We are going to look back on this as a historically important period for school boards." The study surveyed 1,000 school board members across 700 districts, revealing that 47% of U.S. students now attend schools in districts with significant board-community conflict, up from 8% pre-pandemic. Despite heightened awareness of school board issues, participation in elections has not significantly increased. The analysis of Florida voting trends indicates that while conflicts have raised public awareness, they have not led to substantial changes in voter turnout. Valant noted: "It clearly activated a large number of people, but that's much different than having measurable effects on who shows up to vote." The findings underscore the challenges school boards face in governance amid rising conflicts.

LEGAL

Teen convicted in fatal stabbing

A Texas teenager, Karmelo Anthony, was convicted of murder for fatally stabbing 17-year-old track athlete Austin Metcalf during a competition. The jury dismissed Anthony's self-defense claims, with prosecutor Bill Wirskye stating: "This is not self-defense, folks. It's murder plain and simple." The confrontation escalated when Anthony refused to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf's team, leading to a physical altercation. Witnesses testified that Anthony was the aggressor, pulling out a knife after Metcalf pushed him. Anthony, now facing a potential life sentence, did not testify during the trial, which attracted significant public attention and raised discussions about accountability in the community.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Art students unveil mental health sculpture

More than 120 students from McCallum Fine Arts Academy collaborated to create "Mosaic of Minds," a public sculpture now displayed at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center. The artwork consists of 100 unique ceramic heads, symbolizing diverse experiences and emotions within the school community. Student speakers Alina Curtin and Ellie McCracken expressed their hope that the sculpture will "spark conversations about mental health for generations." Octavio Martinez Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, emphasized the importance of such projects, stating: "It is our youth showing all of our communities ... how important mental health is to them." LaShonda Lewis, executive director of AISD Student Support Services, highlighted the project's role in making students feel seen and supported. The sculpture is permanently installed at 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico City orders remote work and school closures for World Cup kickoff

Mexico City will suspend school classes on June 11 for Mexico’s opening World Cup match against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, as officials seek to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and manage tourist traffic. President Claudia Sheinbaum also ordered federal workers in the city to work from home and urged private, and social sector employers to allow remote work for non-essential administrative roles. The decree is intended to improve mobility and accessibility during the tournament’s opening day. Essential services will continue operating, while office-based public-sector work should be done remotely. The move follows an earlier, abandoned proposal to end Mexico’s school year early because of extreme heat, and the country’s role as World Cup co-host.

Japan tackles rising demand for language support

Japan’s education ministry plans to introduce a pilot program in fiscal 2027 to provide basic Japanese-language instruction for children of foreign nationals, as the number of students requiring language support in public schools has reached a record high. The initiative will help students develop the language skills needed for school life and classroom learning, while enabling the ministry to establish best-practice guidelines and teaching materials for local authorities. The number of public school students needing special Japanese-language instruction rose to 84,759 in fiscal 2025, double the level recorded nine years ago, with around 10% not receiving adequate support due to staffing shortages. Under the pilot, selected local governments will test different approaches, including centralized lessons at designated schools or public facilities in urban areas and online instruction in rural regions, with the findings informing future national guidance.

AND FINALLY...

Kashmere Stage Band: Houston's musical legacy

Jhair Romero explores the remarkable journey of the Kashmere Stage Band, a high school ensemble from Houston that became a musical sensation under the direction of Conrad O. Johnson, affectionately known as “Prof.” Johnson's innovative approach combined jazz and funk, leading the band to win 42 out of 46 competitions from 1969 to 1978. Their unique sound, characterized by original compositions, set them apart in the music scene. After Johnson's retirement in 1978, the band's music faded into obscurity until a revival began with the 2006 compilation "Texas Thunder Soul 1968-1974." The band's legacy was further immortalized in the documentary "Thunder Soul," narrated by Jamie Foxx. Although Johnson passed away in 2008, the Kashmere Stage Band's influence continues, with their music featured in modern films like "Baby Driver." "A roomful of teenagers played their way into Houston's musical canon," said Romero, highlighting their lasting impact.
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