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Texas
9th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Texas families embrace new voucher system

Texas families can now utilize state tax dollars for various educational services, including Bible studies and AI-taught courses, through the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA). Over 102,000 students have received vouchers ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, costing the state $1bn in the first year. The TEFA marketplace, which opened on July 1, allows parents to spend voucher funds on tutors, special education services, and extracurricular activities. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of accountability and oversight in the program. Carrie Griffith, executive director of Our Schools Our Democracy, stated, “If there's no accountability and little transparency into how the materials are going to be used, that is fiscally irresponsible.” The program's leadership is also changing, with Don Huffines appointed as the new comptroller.

NATIONAL NEWS

Education Department proposes ending school desegregation support program

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed eliminating the nation's Equity Assistance Centers (EACs), renewing efforts by the Trump administration to shut down the federally funded program despite previous legal challenges. The department argues that the regional structure created under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is no longer necessary and is considering transferring some services to the Department of Justice as part of a broader restructuring of civil rights enforcement. The proposal follows earlier attempts to end the program, including funding cuts and grant terminations that prompted lawsuits. Critics argue the centers remain in high demand, pointing to assistance provided to hundreds of school districts and schools, while warning the move comes as research shows racial and economic segregation in U.S. public schools has increased over recent decades. The public comment period on the proposal closes July 27.

DISTRICTS

Austin ISD sells closed schools

Austin ISD officials are moving forward with plans to sell Dawson and Sunset Valley elementary schools, part of a strategy to address a $181m budget deficit. The district anticipates raising $60m from property sales, which is crucial for avoiding further financial strain. "Closing the schools will save about $21m," said spokeswoman Dacia Garcia, although much of this will be reinvested in enhancing student learning at other campuses. The school board approved the sales in June, and the district aims to find buyers within three months. Additionally, Austin ISD is exploring partnerships for the remaining closed campuses while planning to keep some properties for educational purposes. The district's financial challenges stem from a significant drop in enrollment, with 17,000 students lost since 2011, leading to reduced funding.

Denton ISD displays Ten Commandments posters

Denton ISD has begun displaying donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, following the enactment of Texas Senate Bill 10, which mandates public schools to accept such donations. The district received 1,200 posters from Texas Values, a religious nonprofit, ensuring that every student can view them. "These posters are display-only and are not connected to curriculum or instructional materials," the district stated. While the law allows for the display of these posters, it does not endorse any specific religious teachings. Additionally, Texas Values board member Steve Smith, who is also the chief executive of Bible in the Classroom, urged the district to consider offering an elective Bible course. However, Denton ISD noted that the course requires state-approved training that has been unavailable for years, hindering its implementation. The district remains committed to respecting the diverse beliefs of its students and families.

Rev Partnership welcomes new CEO

Former Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar has been appointed as the chief executive of Rev Partnership, a nonprofit focused on enhancing educational outcomes in Tarrant County. After 28 years in various roles within Fort Worth ISD, Molinar left her superintendent position in March following a state takeover. As the inaugural CEO, she will lead efforts in organizational strategy, partnership development, and community engagement.

GOVERNANCE

Parents demand board chair's resignation

Parents of students at the Texas Center for Arts and Academics are demanding the resignation of board chair Cheryl Bean due to her controversial social media posts, which they claim expose children to discrimination. A petition initiated by parent Alycia Bennett has garnered over 1,300 signatures, citing a "pattern of social media activity that perpetuates racial stereotypes." One notable post featured an AI-generated image of WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, which was deleted shortly after posting. Superintendent Anika Perkins acknowledged the petition but directed inquiries to Bean, who has not commented on the situation. This incident follows previous scrutiny of the school regarding a civil rights complaint filed by the ACLU of Texas.

Rinehart named Region 18's top superintendent

Michelle Rinehart, the superintendent of Alpine ISD, has been honored as the Superintendent of the Year for Region 18 by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Since taking the helm in 2022, Rinehart has focused on enhancing student outcomes through open communication and community partnerships. Under her leadership, Alpine ISD has seen improved student performance, stronger financial health, and lasting community relationships. The Superintendent of the Year program has recognized outstanding educational leaders since 1984, with candidates evaluated on their leadership skills and commitment to educational quality.

New principal takes charge at Boerne High

Matt Myers has officially taken over as the principal of Boerne High School, following his appointment last month. He succeeds Shane Wilson, who has transitioned to the role of assistant superintendent of student services at Fredericksburg ISD.

WORKFORCE

Join the fight for teachers' supplies

The ABC13 Share Your School Supplies Drive 2025 has successfully raised funds and collected supplies for teachers and students in southeast Texas. According to AdoptAClassroom, Texas teachers spent an average of $935 out of pocket on school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year. The drive, supported by sponsors like H-E-B and Gallery Furniture, aims to alleviate this burden. "Eighty-one percent of teachers said the top reason for purchasing supplies is because they want every student to have the same opportunities in the classroom," said a representative from AdoptAClassroom.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

New bag policy for game safety

Houston ISD is introducing a clear bag policy for all UIL sporting events starting in August. The aim is for "fans to come out and truly enjoy the game experience and not have to worry about safety or supervision,” said Andre' Walker, HISD's executive director of athletics. Attendees can bring one clear bag that meets size requirements (maximum 12 x 6 x 12 inches), while clear diaper bags and medical equipment will be exempt. Backpacks and large purses are prohibited. Additionally, all spectators under 18 must present a student ID and be accompanied by an adult, ensuring minors are supervised, especially after games. Walker emphasized that this policy is designed to enhance safety and enjoyment for all attendees.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

New transportation hub takes shape

Construction of East Central ISD's new transportation facility is progressing well, with over one-third of the $8.2m project completed. Located on 14 acres along U.S. 87, the facility will serve as the primary hub for bus maintenance and operations. Brandon Oliver, the district's marketing and communications director, stated: “The anticipated completion date is late September to early October,” although weather conditions may affect the timeline. The facility will feature office space, a fueling station, an automated bus wash, and eight maintenance bays, accommodating future bus acquisitions.

NUTRITION

USDA continues investment in farm-to-school partnerships

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the second cohort of its FY 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, awarding funding to 16 projects that will increase the use of locally sourced ingredients in school meals and expand agricultural education through initiatives such as school gardens and farm visits. The awards are part of nearly $20m allocated this year to support 68 projects across 37 states. The latest grants come as the USDA begins updating school nutrition standards to align with the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend reducing ultra-processed foods. The department said the program will help schools expand scratch-made meals while creating new market opportunities for local farmers.

Free meals for all students!

Cross Roads ISD has announced its participation in the Community Eligibility Program under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2026-2027 school year. The initiative allows qualifying schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students, eliminating the need for meal applications.  

HIGHER EDUCATION

Temple University raises tuition, cuts jobs

Temple University has approved a $1.3bn operating budget that includes a 3.4% tuition increase for both in-state and out-of-state students, along with plans for approximately 40 layoffs. This year's tuition hike is slightly lower than last year's 3.6% increase, and the layoffs represent less than 1% of the university's workforce. Chief strategy officer David Boardman said: "The decision-making overwhelmingly was made at the local level," indicating a broad impact across various departments. The university faces a projected $85m budget deficit for 2026-27, driven by declining enrollment and rising financial aid costs. Despite these challenges, Temple has seen a record number of deposits for first-year enrollment compared to last year. The new tuition rates will be $20,376 for in-state students and $36,600 for out-of-state students, with additional increases in fees and room and board. To support students, the financial aid budget will rise by nearly 7% to $196.1m.

Professors fight back against censorship

The American Association of University Professors and its Texas chapter have filed a lawsuit against the Texas Tech University System's chancellor, Brandon Creighton, and the regents, claiming that recent restrictions on teaching about LGBTQ identity, gender, and race violate the First and 14th amendments. The lawsuit argues that Creighton's directives create a "system of censorship" that limits academic freedom and confuses professors about what they can teach. Creighton stated that the university's policies are "lawful and compliant," emphasizing a commitment to academic integrity. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the enforcement of these directives, which have reportedly led to self-censorship among faculty and hindered students' education. Antonio Ingram, senior counsel at the Legal Defense Fund, noted that the restrictions disproportionately affect Black communities and professors.

INTERNATIONAL

Quebec exam portal stumbles

Thousands of students and parents across Quebec were temporarily unable to access official provincial exam results on Tuesday after technical problems affected the Government Authentication Service (SAG) portal used by the Ministry of Education. The outage, which also disrupted phone lines, prevented users from logging in to view ministry exam scores. Education Minister Sonia LeBel said ministry teams worked throughout the day to resolve the issue, and by the afternoon the online portal was once again allowing students and parents to access exam results. The Ministry said it will continue investigating the cause of the outage to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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