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The Trump administration has approached Texas officials about providing legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant children in deportation proceedings after the state's Indigent Defense Commission declined, saying such work falls outside its legal authority. The request comes as the administration moves to end its longstanding federal legal services contract for migrant children, prompting uncertainty over representation for tens of thousands of minors currently facing immigration cases. Immigration advocates and legal experts fear the outreach signals a broader effort to transfer unaccompanied children to Texas, where they argue deportations can proceed more quickly because of the state's immigration policies, court system, and detention infrastructure. Administration officials say they are exploring all available options to maintain legal representation for children; however, critics warn the strategy could weaken legal protections for vulnerable children, while Texas officials question whether the state commission has the legal authority or resources to take on the federal responsibility.

 

The Texas Tribune

The U.S. Department of Education is more than six months late in releasing its latest Civil Rights Data Collection, a nationwide survey that tracks issues such as bullying, harassment, disability services, internet access, school discipline, and educational opportunities across public schools. Researchers, advocates, and lawmakers rely on the data to identify inequities and shape policies, including proposals to expand access to Advanced Placement courses, increase school counseling services, and address disparities in school discipline. The Education Department has not explained the delay, although observers point to recent staffing reductions, government disruptions, and broader changes within the agency as possible factors. The uncertainty comes as the department prepares to move its Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice, raising questions about the future of the data collection. Education advocates warn that without current information, policymakers and school leaders have limited visibility into whether students' civil rights are being protected, making it more difficult to identify problems and target resources where they are most needed.

 

NPR

The ongoing debate over the role of religion in Texas schools has intensified, particularly following a new state law requiring districts to decide on implementing a period of prayer. Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated investigations into districts like Corpus Christi for compliance. Judy Woodruff of PBS highlighted this issue in a segment titled: "Was the U.S. created as a Christian nation?" revealing that public opinion is divided; while less than half of Americans support the idea of a Christian nation, 60% believe the Founding Fathers intended it. John Fea, an evangelical scholar, emphasized the differing views of the Founding Fathers, stating, "The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." The Star-Telegram argues for the separation of government and religion, citing the Constitution's stance against religious tests for public office.

 

Star-Telegram

An increasing number of high-income families are opting for alternative K-8 schools that emphasize life skills, entrepreneurship, project-based learning, and AI-powered personalized instruction over traditional academic models. Parents say rapid advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping the workforce, making skills such as communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and adaptability more valuable than conventional classroom learning alone. Schools such as Alpha School and Forge Prep are expanding rapidly, despite annual tuition reaching as much as $75,000. Alpha combines two hours of AI-based tutoring with hands-on workshops, while Forge Prep centers its curriculum on real-world problem-solving and entrepreneurial projects, even offering eligible graduates up to $200,000 in startup funding. Although supporters argue these models better prepare students for the future, education experts caution that there is limited empirical evidence on their effectiveness and warn they could narrow student diversity or diminish the professional role of teachers.

 

Wall Street Journal

Electric school buses are increasingly being used to supply electricity back to U.S. power grids during periods of peak demand, with more than 230 buses across 21 states and 31 utility partnerships now participating in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programs. The buses, which sit largely idle during the summer when electricity demand typically peaks, can return stored energy to utilities during heat waves, helping ease pressure on aging power grids while generating additional revenue for school districts. Although the current fleet can supply only about 8 megawatt-hours of electricity at any one time, supporters view the technology as an important step toward integrating electric vehicles into the nation's energy infrastructure. California is leading adoption through projects including Oakland USDs 74-bus fleet, which is expected to generate 2.1 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, while a larger San Francisco project will initially deploy 104 buses before expanding to 238 vehicles.

 

Reuters

Beaumont ISD is actively recruiting college graduates with bachelor's degrees to fill teaching positions ahead of the school year starting on August 12. Superintendent Sandi Massey noted that the district has faced more resignations than anticipated, prompting a focused effort to enhance the teaching staff.

 

Beaumont Enterprise

The College Station ISD Education Foundation is establishing two endowments in honor of Teresa Benden, its longtime Executive Director, following generous contributions from her family and the board. The Benden Family Endowed Teaching Grant will support impactful classroom projects, while the Teresa Benden Legacy Endowed Scholarship aims to assist students in achieving post-secondary success. Since its founding in 1999, the foundation has awarded over $3m in teaching grants and $1.5m in scholarships.

 

Bryan-College Station Eagle

Kristi Williams, a former tax assessor for the Tomball ISD, is facing a wire fraud charge after allegedly stealing $1m from the district. According to the Houston office of the FBI, Williams is accused of misappropriating cash tax payments intended for the district's bank account. Payments were meant to be processed in batches of $15,000 to $20,000, but Williams reportedly used the district's tax software to reverse these payments and redirect them to her personal accounts. 

 

KTRK-TV

The U.S. pulse industry is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand the use of pulse-based pastas and flours in school meal programs by allowing pulse pastas to count as both a standalone protein and vegetable, and by recognizing pulse flours as creditable ingredients under federal nutrition guidelines. Industry leaders say the changes would simplify menu planning, reduce costs for school food operators, and encourage greater use of nutrient-rich foods, particularly for students with special dietary needs, such as those requiring gluten-free options. USA Pulses also wants USDA to update its Food Buying Guide to include chickpea, lentil, and dry pea flours among standard creditable ingredients, arguing that the current guidance creates unnecessary confusion. More than 98% of U.S. school districts already serve pulses, but only a minority use pulse products to accommodate special diets. The industry believes clearer federal guidance would expand demand for pulse-based products, and is optimistic the recommendations could be reflected in new school meal rules expected later this year.

 

Capital Press