Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes...
Education Slice Logo
Texas
20th October 2026
Together with

THE HOT STORY

Texas Senators question four-day school week

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath addressed state Senators regarding the controversial four-day school week, which gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic as a strategy to attract teachers. Morath stated: “The way the flexibility's currently being used does appear to be causing a drag on learning for students in a number of schools around the state of Texas.” Lawmakers, including Sen. Donna Campbell, expressed concerns about the model's effectiveness, noting: “There's not a benefit that I see for a four-day school week for the child.” A report from the Texas Education Agency revealed that students in five-day schools performed six to eight percentage points better on reading assessments compared to their four-day counterparts. As of the 2024-25 school year, 181 districts had adopted the four-day model, but its impact on student learning remains a significant concern.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff
Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.

Download Free Guide

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Supreme Court revisits race and education with Maryland magnet school case

Montgomery County Public Schools has become the subject of a US Supreme Court review examining whether facially race-neutral admissions policies can constitute racial discrimination under the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. The Association for Education Fairness, representing parents who allege that changes to magnet middle school admissions disadvantaged Asian American students, has challenged policies introduced in 2017 and subsequently revised in 2020 to incorporate lottery-based admissions. Lower courts dismissed the case after finding that Asian American admissions exceeded the group's share of applicants. The Supreme Court will consider whether plaintiffs must demonstrate an aggregate disparate impact to establish discrimination, revisiting school admissions law following its 2023 ruling against race-conscious college admissions. Arguments are expected in early 2027, with a decision anticipated by the end of June.

School safety debate shifts toward prevention

A deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, where a 16-year-old gunman killed three children and a teacher after shooting through a locked entrance, has reignited debate over school safety policies and the effectiveness of physical security measures. While the tragedy has prompted renewed calls for stricter gun laws, reinforced school buildings, armed personnel, and enhanced emergency preparedness, education and security experts warn that defensive measures alone cannot prevent determined attackers. Despite a school safety industry valued at approximately $4bn, experts emphasize that early intervention, trusted relationships between students and adults, mental health support, secure firearm storage, and effective threat reporting systems offer more promising approaches to preventing violence. Research cited in the article indicates that more than 80% of over 100 averted school shootings were prevented after individuals reported concerning behavior.  

EXAMS

Testing overload: are we measuring learning?

Liza Bondurant from Mississippi State University discusses the pervasive influence of standardized testing in U.S. K-12 schools. Since the enactment of No Child Left Behind in 2001, testing has shaped curricula and instructional time, with districts increasing English and math instruction by 47% and 37%, respectively. However, this focus has led to cuts in other subjects, such as the arts. A 2026 study revealed that students take a median of 57 assessments before high school, with no correlation between the number of tests and proficiency. Bondurant highlights that "you don't get a pig to grow by measuring it more," questioning whether excessive testing truly benefits student learning or detracts from it. The article emphasizes the need for a reevaluation of testing practices in education.

WORKFORCE

Award-winning teachers launch tuition-free institute

Four former National Teachers of the Year have partnered with the National Center for Grow Your Own to launch the Educators Institute, a new initiative offering tuition-free online bachelor's degree programs designed to expand access to teacher preparation and address educator shortages. Scheduled to begin in spring 2027, the four-year program will initially enroll 20–30 aspiring teachers, providing full scholarships, online coursework, and at least one year of mentoring with local instructional coaches. The first degree pathways will focus on special education and multilingual education, with courses developed by award-winning educators to emphasize practical classroom skills, literacy instruction, student behavior management, and support for diverse learners. The institute is pursuing state approval and regional accreditation to qualify its 120-credit program for teacher licensure, with potential tuition savings of $20,000 to $90,000 per participant.  

TECHNOLOGY

Educators embrace practical AI training

OpenAI has reported positive feedback from its AI Skills Jams, free training workshops delivered with the Walton Family Foundation across nine U.S. communities, attracting more than 1,600 K–12 teachers, administrators, and district leaders. Of 802 survey respondents, 92% said they created something reusable, 96% intended to apply their learning within 30 days, and 97% would recommend the workshops to colleagues. Educators developed lesson plans, science simulations, administrative tools, and customized ChatGPT applications to support classroom instruction and routine school operations. However, 29% requested additional hands-on practice, highlighting the need for more tailored training for beginners and experienced users. OpenAI plans to use the feedback to improve future workshops, although the findings do not establish measurable improvements in student outcomes or long-term workload reductions.

CYBERSECURITY

Data breach exposes Texans' info

Nearly 38,000 individuals in Texas may have had their personal information compromised due to a data breach at Klein ISD, according to a report filed with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The report indicates that the breach exposed sensitive data, including addresses and Social Security numbers, of 37,966 people. This incident is not isolated; Klein ISD has faced previous cybersecurity issues, including a May 2025 attack orchestrated by a former student, Keontra Lamont Kenemore, which disrupted testing and caused internet outages. The district's IT department traced the attack back to Kenemore, who was subsequently expelled and charged with electronic access interference.  

GOVERNANCE

Candidates clash over United ISD priorities

During a recent forum at MileOne, candidates for the United ISD Board of Trustees discussed their proposals and priorities. Dr. John Kilburn moderated the event, where candidates highlighted strengths such as UISD's academic performance and dedicated teachers, while identifying weaknesses in finances and communication. Victor Vasquez emphasized the need for transparency, stating: "Public access to district information is crucial." Candidates also debated how to handle budget constraints, with many advocating for efficiency audits before making personnel cuts. They agreed on the importance of supporting students with diverse educational needs and preserving extracurricular activities.  

Candidates vie for Copperas Cove ISD board

Six candidates are competing for election to the Copperas Cove ISD Board of Trustees on November 3. Emily Urquidez, a budget analyst and former district employee, aims to support students and staff while guiding district growth. James Ortiz, a retired teacher, focuses on protecting planning time and enhancing communication. Trang Nguyen emphasizes competitive compensation and mental health for teachers, highlighting that “$10 an hour is insufficient for such demanding work.” Inez Faison, a former trustee, seeks to improve academic performance, stating: “We'd like to be an ‘A' district.” Other candidates include Gorres, advocating for staff compensation, and J.C. Stubbs, who emphasizes community engagement and infrastructure needs.

Ballot blunders in East Central ISD

Voters in East Central ISD faced significant issues during the first day of early voting for the 2026 midterm elections. Some ballots were missing the district's tax-rate proposal, Proposition A, while others incorrectly included proposals from different districts. John Moreno, a spokesperson for the Bexar County Elections Department, said: "This was a statewide issue and related to data received from Texas Election Administration Management system." Although the problem affected less than 1% of eligible voters, the district urged those who encountered issues to report them to the Texas Secretary of State. 

FINANCE

Lubbock-Cooper voters weigh tax hike

Voters in Lubbock-Cooper ISD are being asked to approve a property tax increase of three cents, bringing the total to nearly $1.20 per $100 valuation. If approved, this change would raise approximately $4m annually, contributing to teacher salaries and essential school operations.  

DISTRICTS

Chapel Hill High shines academically

Chapel Hill High School has received academic distinction designations from the Texas Education Agency for the 2025-26 school year in both science and social studies, highlighting exceptional student performance and advanced coursework completion. Notably, 37% of students achieved the Masters Grade Level standard on the U.S. history exam, marking the highest percentage in a decade. The school also excelled in science, with 28% reaching the Masters standard on the biology exam. 

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Borman Elementary's field ahead of schedule

During a joint meeting last week, officials from Denton ISD and the Denton City Council provided updates on the construction of Borman Elementary School. The new multi-purpose field, replacing the old school site, is now expected to be completed by November 30, nine months ahead of schedule, according to Brandon Boyter, DISD's executive director of construction planning and growth.

SPORTS

Girls flag football gains momentum

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is progressing towards sanctioning girls flag football in Texas, with a pilot program set to launch in the 2028-29 school year, pending approval from the Commissioner of Education. The initiative will initially involve Classes 5A and 6A schools, allowing time for UIL staff to establish competition rules. According to the UIL Fall 2026 Superintendent Survey, 52% of superintendents support the sanctioning, with 165 schools already participating in girls flag football. The NFL, along with the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, has shown strong support for the sport, which has experienced a remarkable 1,500% growth rate. The NCAA has also recognized women's flag football as an emerging sport, requiring over 40 schools to pursue a national championship.

INTERNATIONAL

Childhood poverty limits access to books and worsens educational outcomes in Ireland

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found that childhood poverty in Ireland significantly affects educational achievement, school engagement, and future aspirations, with limited access to books and reading opportunities among the key contributing factors. The report reveals that half of Irish children experience poverty before age 13, while one in five endure three or more periods of financial hardship. Among persistently poor nine-year-olds, 9% report never liking school, compared with 4% of children who have never experienced poverty. Additionally, just 62% of persistently poor 13-year-olds expect to earn a college degree, compared with 79% overall. The ESRI has recommended improving access to books, extracurricular activities, parental reading support, and positive teacher-student relationships to reduce educational inequalities.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe