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Texas
16th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Texas voucher program sparks funding chaos

The rollout of Texas' private school voucher program has revealed significant disparities in funding for special education services across districts. The program offers up to $30,000 for students with disabilities, but the amounts awarded vary widely based on district size rather than individual student needs. “None of us have ever seen anything like this,” said Andrea Chevalier, director of governmental relations for the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education. For instance, a student in a small district like Damon ISD could receive about $22,000, while a student in Houston ISD would receive $5,500 less. The Texas Education Freedom Accounts determine these amounts based on state funding formulas, which favor smaller districts. As parents and advocates express frustration over the funding gaps, many are left questioning the adequacy of support for their children’s education.

STATE NEWS

Texas schools face biblical curriculum shift

The Texas State Board of Education is set to vote on revised Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards, which may include mandatory Bible readings for third graders. If approved, this would mark the first statewide required reading list in Texas history, effective in the 2030 school year. Frank Strong, an English teacher and advocate, expressed concern over the potential "Christianization" of public schools, stating: "I think that they deserve to be included in our lessons." The proposed curriculum emphasizes Christian narratives while neglecting diverse perspectives, raising alarms about censorship and the exclusion of other religious teachings. The board's upcoming meeting on June 22-26 will see parents and advocates rallying for a more inclusive approach to education.

AI revolutionizes Texas education landscape

An Austin private school, Alpha School, gained attention for its AI-driven learning model, claiming to condense a full day's education into just two hours, with "personalized learning, done by lunch." The Houston ISD plans to launch nine AI-focused schools next year, with Superintendent Mike Miles envisioning 100 campuses with AI programming in the future. Despite Texas's leadership in AI, concerns about data privacy and implementation remain. New laws, including House Bill 149 and House Bill 3512, set requirements for AI use but lack specific educational guidelines. Renzo Soto from Texas 2036 emphasized the need for clear policies to help districts navigate AI tools effectively, stating: "We have to be protective of our students and make sure that not only is this beneficial to their learning in the long term, but that it is safe."

NATIONAL NEWS

Job cuts loom for school staff

Thousands of public-school employees in the U.S. are facing potential job losses as financial pressures mount within the education system. Leaders from seven of the ten largest school districts are planning staff reductions to balance budgets, with significant cuts already reported in districts like Los Angeles and Chicago. "These are all things that are really coming to a head," said Warren Morgan, CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which is set to lay off around 400 employees. The decline in enrollment, rising costs, and the end of pandemic-era federal aid are key factors driving these cuts. The National Center for Education Statistics reported a drop of 1.2 million public-school students from 2020 to 2022, with projections indicating a further decline of 2.7 million by 2031. As districts grapple with these challenges, many are forced to make tough decisions regarding staffing and budgets.

Middle schoolers need urgent help

Younger students are showing signs of learning recovery, but 13-year-olds are struggling to keep up, with reading scores stagnating at levels seen 50 years ago. Kymyona Burk, a senior policy fellow at ExcelinEd, emphasized the need for immediate action, stating: "We can't afford to let students lose momentum during this important stage of development." While some states, like Virginia and Mississippi, are implementing policies to support adolescent literacy, many others lag behind. Burk suggests practical steps for improvement, including training teachers beyond 3rd grade, reexamining bell schedules for extra help, and engaging parents as partners in education. With only 14% of 13-year-olds reading for fun most days, it is crucial for education leaders to prioritize middle school literacy to ensure students thrive.

FINANCE

Texas ESA program launches

As the application period for the Texas Education Savings Account (ESA) program concludes, Midland ISD has released details about the applications submitted by local families. The program, funded by $1bn from the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, aims to provide educational options for students. A total of 1,462 ESA applications were submitted, with 344 students, or about 24%, currently enrolled in Midland ISD for the 2024-25 school year. Notably, 76% of applicants were not enrolled in Midland ISD schools. The state has approved 11 schools within Midland ISD boundaries to participate in the program, including various educational providers.

Austin ISD faces $95m budget crisis

Austin ISD is grappling with a projected $95m shortfall for the 2025-26 school year, significantly higher than the $19.7m shortfall anticipated last June. The district's fund balance is expected to drop to 10.1% of operating expenditures, well below the required 20% and the temporary 15% floor set by trustees. Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery indicated that the district may need a short-term loan to cover payroll, similar to last year's $19m loan. Superintendent Matias Segura attributed part of the enrollment decline to federal immigration policies, stating: "As hard as we are trying, there are things that, simply, we just have to navigate through." The proposed reduction package for fiscal year 2026-27 has increased to $185m, prompting concerns among trustees about the accuracy of the budget. The board is set to vote on the budget on June 18, with a backup date of June 25.

Budget woes: Cy-Fair ISD faces $80.9m shortfall

The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees will hold a public hearing on June 18 regarding the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which has seen an increase in the estimated shortfall to $80.9m. This rise follows a previous update from May 21, where the shortfall was reported at $67.4m. The board's decision to add two budget lines for one-time stipends and health insurance totaling $13.5m contributed to this increase. Additionally, the board will discuss compliance with Senate Bill 546 regarding seatbelts in school buses and consider various policy updates. The meetings will take place at 6 p.m. in the Mark Henry Administrative Building Boardroom.

DISTRICTS

Fort Worth ISD seeks community input

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers is hosting a series of listening sessions this summer to gather feedback from parents and the community as they develop improvement goals. Superintendent Peter Licata emphasized the importance of community input, stating: “Community feedback is a vital part of the success of Fort Worth ISD.” The sessions will take place at various high schools, starting on June 22, and aim to enhance transparency following the Texas Education Agency's takeover due to poor academic performance. The board has made changes to improve accessibility, including adjusting meeting times and allowing more public comment time. Despite efforts for transparency, some community members express concerns about the board's actions, particularly regarding the closure of the International Newcomer Academy. More listening sessions are anticipated later this summer.

Conroe ISD board to discuss pay

The Conroe ISD board of trustees will convene today to evaluate a new employee compensation plan and provide updates on the district's special education program. The board previously approved a compensation plan that included salary increases of $2,100 for first- and second-year teachers, $2,500 for third- and fourth-year teachers, and $5,000 for fifth-year teachers and beyond. Additionally, the district aims to decentralize its special education services to better serve a growing population by adding more bus routes and special education teachers.

UIL issues reprimands to Progreso coaches

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) held a meeting with Progreso ISD, resulting in public reprimands for several coaches, including boys basketball head coach Raul Rivera and boys soccer head coach Damian Magallan. Each received two years of probation. Progreso High School's probation was extended to three years due to previous violations. The issues arose from student-athletes competing without a Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF) and a clerical error that misclassified a student. The UIL warned that further violations could lead to harsher penalties, stating, "any further violations would likely result in more severe penalties." Progreso High School remains under scrutiny as it heads into the 2026-27 school year.

GOVERNANCE

New appointments to TRS board

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Pete Pape, Ed.D., and Dan West to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas Board of Trustees, with terms expiring on August 31, 2031. The TRS Board oversees retirement benefits for teachers and public school employees. Pape, the chief financial officer of Eanes ISD, is a Texas Certified Public Accountant and has held various leadership roles in educational finance.

New leadership at Mesquite ISD

Mesquite ISD has appointed two new principals and four assistant principals across six campuses for the upcoming school year. Gabriel Cabarrouy will lead Agnew Middle School, bringing over 16 years of public education experience. Previously, he served as an assistant principal at Mesquite High School and held similar roles in Richardson ISD and other districts. Cabarrouy holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois and a master's degree from Northwestern University. "I am excited to lead Agnew Middle School and work with our dedicated staff," Cabarrouy said.

New superintendent takes the helm

The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD appointed Jason Adams as its new superintendent during a board meeting on Monday. Adams, who has 28 years of experience in education, previously served as the deputy superintendent of Garland ISD and will officially start on June 16. The district engaged the community in the hiring process, with over 720 participants in a survey and multiple forums.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Flash floods delay summer school start

Following a flash flood warning from the National Weather Service, several school districts in San Antonio postponed the start of their summer programs. The NWS cautioned that the rainfall could lead to "life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses." Affected districts include Boerne ISD, which closed for the day, and Harlandale ISD, which delayed summer activities until 9 a.m. Judson ISD canceled all athletic events due to flooding, while South San Antonio ISD also pushed back its start time to 9 a.m. Officials emphasized that "the safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority."  

First responders unite for safety training

More than 40 first responders and public safety professionals participated in a weeklong school safety training exercise hosted by Greenville ISD at Lamar Elementary. The training involved personnel from various agencies, including the Greenville ISD Police Department and Greenville Fire-Rescue, who worked through realistic emergency scenarios to enhance communication and coordination.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Río Grande seeks visual storytellers

Río Grande International Study Center is seeking visual documentarians to showcase its new environmental initiative, Adelante con Árboles. Launched in 2024 in collaboration with Texas A&M Forest Service and Laredo ISD, the project aims to enhance the city's tree canopy and foster environmental awareness among students. "Adelante con Árboles is helping create schoolyard forests and expand urban tree canopy in Laredo," the organization said. RGISC invites filmmakers and visual storytellers experienced in community and environmental narratives to apply by June 27 at 5 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL

U.K. Government moves to restrict under-16s from social platforms

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban social media access for children under 16, describing the move as a necessary step to protect young people from harmful online content, cyberbullying, and potential mental health risks. The proposed legislation would prohibit under-16s from using major social media platforms and introduce additional restrictions on online services, including gaming apps, by limiting or removing the ability for children to communicate with strangers online. The measures would go beyond Australia’s recently introduced social media restrictions. Starmer said the government intends to pass legislation by the end of 2026, with the ban expected to take effect by spring 2027. He acknowledged the challenges of enforcement and the likelihood that some teenagers may attempt to circumvent the rules, but argued that laws also serve to establish social norms and expectations.
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