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Texas
14th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Texas takes control of textbooks

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is investing $67m to develop new textbooks and lesson plans under the Bluebonnet program, which aims to standardize educational materials across the state. "There's a time in the future where Bluebonnet will no longer be optional," said State Board of Education Member Evelyn Brooks. The program, currently optional, is expected to become mandatory by 2030, potentially sidelining private publishers. Critics argue this move limits free enterprise and raises concerns about transparency in curriculum development. The overhaul could cost school districts between $800m and $1.7bn over five years, prompting many to consider the free Bluebonnet materials more appealing. The TEA has stated that all publishers have equal opportunities to submit materials for approval by 2029.

NATIONAL NEWS

Lawsuit seeks to preserve $1bn school mental health initiative

A coalition of 15 Democratic-led states, including California, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, and Rhode Island has sued the Trump administration over plans to end funding for a $1bn federal grant program that supports school-based mental health services. The states argue the U.S. Department of Education is unlawfully attempting to terminate the grants despite a court order issued in late 2025 that blocked an earlier effort to end the program. The grants, established by Congress following the 2018 Parkland school shooting and expanded after the 2022 Uvalde tragedy, have helped schools hire and train mental health professionals, providing services to nearly 775,000 students nationwide. The administration has argued the grants conflict with its policy priorities because of alleged links to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, while the states contend the funding is essential for supporting students' mental health and that the administration lacks the authority to revoke it.

DISTRICTS

Houston ISD faces scrutiny over special education

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has mandated that Houston ISD review student records and engage with families before implementing changes to its special education services. HISD is set to transition approximately 5,000 students with disabilities to new campuses under the Student Success Program, which has raised concerns among families and advocates. Colleen Potts, supervising attorney for Disability Rights Texas, said: “TEA is not telling Houston, ‘You can't do this.' They can. … It's just, ‘If you're going to do this, here's what has to happen first.” HISD maintains that the overhaul will enhance services, but the TEA's investigation found violations of federal rules, prompting the order for compliance by October 9. Parents are worried about the lack of clarity regarding their children's school placements as the new school year approaches.

Midland ISD celebrates AP Scholar surge

Midland ISD announced that 420 students have been recognized as AP Scholars by the College Board, reflecting a 22% increase from the previous year. “The continued growth of our AP Scholar program is a testament to the dedication of our students, the expertise of our teachers and the commitment of our campuses to providing rigorous learning opportunities,” said Kathleen Cook, director of teaching and learning for MISD. The district offers 28 AP courses, with 50% of exams scoring 3 or higher. Notably, one student earned the AP International Diploma, marking a first for the district. This honor requires a score of 3 or higher on five or more AP exams across various subjects.

Lampasas ISD shines in STAAR results

Lampasas ISD has demonstrated impressive performance in the spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), surpassing both state and regional scores in most exams.

WORKFORCE

Top salaries in Austin ISD revealed

Eshaan Sarup reports that Superintendent Matias Segura and other high-ranking officials in Austin ISD were among the highest-paid employees for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Segura is the second-highest-paid superintendent in the Austin area, earning just below the Lake Travis ISD superintendent. Chief of Staff LaKesha Drinks, with two decades in the district, is the second-highest-paid AISD employee, earning about $150,000 less than Segura. The top 30 employees collectively earned approximately $5.9m, with the five highest-paid accounting for over 20% of that total. The district is facing a projected $181m budget deficit and has proposed cuts to stipends and other expenses. "Austin ISD's administrative spending ratio met the recommended threshold of 8.5% or less," according to the Texas Education Agency's financial integrity ratings.

TECHNOLOGY

AI schools: The future of learning

Over the last decade, Alpha School has expanded from a single campus in Austin to over 15 locations nationwide, including major cities like New York and San Francisco. Co-founder MacKenzie Price expressed her frustration with the traditional "one-size-fits-all" education model, advocating for personalized AI tutoring. While AI can enhance learning, as noted in a 2020 review by the National Bureau of Economic Research, there is no definitive evidence that AI tutors outperform human ones. Studies indicate that effective tutoring, whether human or AI, should support classroom learning. Gerald K. LeTendre from Penn State emphasizes the need for professional development to help teachers integrate AI tools effectively, rather than viewing AI as a replacement for educators.

AI tools may hinder student motivation

AI is often seen as a tool to enhance teaching effectiveness, but a recent study reveals it may actually undermine student learning. "Teachers, just like students or coders, might be using AI as a crutch," said Alp Sungu, lead author and assistant professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. The study, "Generative AI Can Harm Teaching," found that students of teachers using AI tools reported lower motivation and enjoyment in classes. This effect was particularly pronounced among students of weaker instructors, who scored lower on standardized exams. Sungu noted that while AI can generate materials, it may lead to a loss of personal teaching style, making classes less engaging. The findings suggest that simply having access to AI does not guarantee improved teaching; instead, it may require careful integration to preserve human creativity and judgment in education.

FINANCE

El Paso's tax base gets a boost

Dee Margo, former mayor of El Paso, emphasizes the importance of Meta's $10bn investment in the city, which is expected to significantly enhance the commercial tax base. Currently, El Paso's tax structure is heavily skewed, with 70% residential and only 30% commercial, leading to financial strain on essential services. Margo stated: "Opportunities of this scale do not come around often," highlighting the potential benefits for local schools, healthcare, and public safety. The investment is projected to create around 4,000 jobs, providing valuable career pathways for local youth.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Vaccination exemptions on the rise

In Nueces County, while most schoolchildren receive required vaccinations, the percentage seeking religious exemptions has increased from less than 1% in 2020-21 to about 2% in 2025-26. Public schools allow exemptions for "reasons of conscience," including religious beliefs, while private schools can deny admission to students with non-medical exemptions. Vaccination rates remain high in Corpus Christi ISD, with 96% to 98% of kindergartners vaccinated during the 2025-26 school year. However, conscientious exemption rates have risen, reaching nearly 5% in London ISD and 6% in Port Aransas ISD. Olivia Garrett reported on this trend, highlighting the importance of immunization access for all children.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

United's school supply drive kicks off

The United Family has launched its 15th annual school supply fundraiser at its Market Street location in Lubbock. The initiative, which runs from July 13 to July 26, invites shoppers to contribute any dollar amount to their grocery bills at checkout across all United Supermarkets, Market Street, and Amigos locations. During the kickoff event, superintendents from six local school districts, including Dr. Michelle McCord of Frenship ISD and Dr. Kathy Rollo of Lubbock ISD, received gift cards for a school supply shopping spree. "This fundraiser is a great way to support our local schools," said a representative from The United Family.

HIGHER EDUCATION

A&M System launches Chancellor’s Cup

The Texas A&M University System is introducing The Chancellor’s Cup, a new tradition aimed at celebrating competition and school pride among its 12 universities. The inaugural match will take place on August 29, featuring Prairie View A&M University against Tarleton State University at Memorial Stadium, with kickoff at 8 p.m. and national coverage on ESPN2. Texas A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “The Chancellor’s Cup gives us a way to celebrate that pride, stir up a little friendly competition and remind folks across Texas just how much talent and spirit we have across the A&M System.” Both universities are excited about the event, with Prairie View A&M President Tomika P. LeGrande highlighting the significance of launching this tradition during the university's 150th anniversary. Future competitions may expand beyond football to include various athletic and academic events, showcasing the A&M System's commitment to excellence.

INTERNATIONAL

EU pushes for bloc-wide child safety rules on social media

The European Commission is preparing to propose a bloc-wide minimum age for social media access, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlining plans for a "social media start date" that would generally prevent children under 13 from accessing platforms unless supervised by a parent or caregiver. The proposal, expected after the summer, would introduce phased access for older teenagers, with platforms required to demonstrate that their services are age-appropriate and safe before restrictions are eased. The initiative follows mounting pressure from several EU member states, including France, which have argued that social media companies have failed to adequately protect children online and, in some cases, have already introduced national restrictions. While most major platforms officially require users to be at least 13, regulators acknowledge that these limits are frequently bypassed. Alongside the proposed age restrictions, the European Commission is developing an age verification app that would allow users to confirm their age without sharing unnecessary personal information with platforms.

AND FINALLY...

Student engineers transform classroom pastime into aviation achievement

A team of aerospace engineering students from the University of Pisa has set a new Guinness World Record by building and flying the world's largest paper airplane. Named Icarus, the aircraft measured more than 23 feet long, had a 65.75-foot wingspan, weighed about 63 pounds, and glided nearly 200 feet during its record-setting flight at the We Make Future technology expo in Bologna, Italy. The project, developed in collaboration with engineering content creator Jakidale, evolved from students folding paper airplanes between classes into a months-long engineering challenge involving computer modeling, prototype testing, and aerodynamic design. The successful flight surpassed the previous record set by Germany in 2013, returning the Guinness title to Italy for the first time in more than a decade.
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