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President Donald Trump's tax-and-spending legislation was passed by the Senate on Tuesday, with a 50-50 deadlock in the vote decided with a tiebreaking vote from Vice President JD Vance. The package includes the nation’s first federal tax credit scholarship program, which grants donors to scholarship organizations a $1,700 tax credit for the same amount they contribute. Those nonprofits then award funds to families for private school tuition and other educational expenses. The Senate version of the bill differs from that passed by the House in late May by giving states a say over which groups can participate and strikes language that would have prohibited any control over private schools. The legislation includes other child-related provisions, including the extension of an existing $2,000 child tax credit. The House version boosts it to $2,500, while the Senate version increases the credit to $2,200. “Trump accounts,” a new feature, would provide a $1,000 investment fund for children that they could later use for education or a house. The House is expected to vote on the bill later today, sending it to the Oval Office for Trump's signature before July 4.  

 

The Texas Tribune

The 74

Wall Street Journal

The recent termination of approximately $1bn in federal mental health funding for schools has sparked a lawsuit from 16 states against the U.S. Department of Education. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in Seattle by California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin, argues that the funding cuts will lead to layoffs of mental health staff and worsen outcomes for students, particularly in rural and low-income areas. The state officials argue in their complaint that the programs funded by these mental health grants have been “an incredible success,” providing services to nearly 775,000 students nationwide. The programs showed reduction in students' suicide risk, decreases in absenteeism and behavioral problems, and increases in student-staff engagement, according to the complaint. The funding, part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, was designed to support mental health services and training for professionals in schools. The Education Department has indicated plans to “re-envision and re-compete” the grants based on new priorities.

 

Chalkbeat

Education Week News

MSNBC News

Washington Post

A recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that a majority of Americans oppose allowing religious schools to become tax-funded public charter schools. While only about 25% support this idea, approximately 60% favor allowing religious chaplains to provide support services in public schools. The survey highlights the complexity of attitudes toward religious expression in education, revealing that "about three in 10 U.S. adults say religion has 'too much' influence on what children are taught." The findings also reflect a divide among political parties, with Democrats generally opposing teacher-led prayer while Republicans support chaplain services. The debate continues amid ongoing legal actions and legislative efforts regarding the role of religion in public education.

 

U.S. News

The microschool movement, which gained traction during the pandemic, is continuing to evolve and expand. Tiffany Blassingame, who opened her own school in Decatur, Georgia, now shares space with other educational institutions, showcasing the diversity within the microschool model. According to the National Microschooling Center, the median number of students in microschools has increased from 16 to 22, reflecting the growing experience of school founders. Currently, microschools serve about 750,000 students, or 2% of the U.S. student population. Don Soifer, chief executive of the center, noted that "everyone has their own niche and strength," highlighting the unique offerings of each microschool. As state-funded programs like education savings accounts support their growth, the model faces scrutiny regarding oversight and accreditation. Despite challenges, the movement continues to attract interest from families seeking alternatives to traditional public schooling.

 

Star-Telegram

Fort Bend ISD (FBISD) is launching a three-year boundary planning initiative due to alarming enrollment projections. Currently, only 24% of campuses are within the ideal capacity range of 80-100% for the 2025-26 school year. With new housing developments driving growth in certain areas, many elementary schools are expected to be under capacity, while others, like Neill Elementary School, are over 110% capacity. To address these issues, FBISD has implemented short-term strategies, including adding portable buildings and transfer restrictions.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Site work has commenced for the transformation of the Hutto Ninth Grade Center into Hutto ISD's second comprehensive high school. Casey Sledge from Sledge Engineering reported on June 26 that pier drilling has started, with an electrical shutdown planned for later this summer to facilitate a transformer replacement. The expansion will introduce a performing arts center and enhance classroom, athletics, and career technical education spaces. This project follows the approval of a $522m bond in May 2023, which includes Proposition A, allocating $471.5m for major campus developments, including the high school conversion. Proposition B, at $10.5m, will fund new instructional technology, while Proposition C provides $40m for renovating the administrative building into an academic center.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

In a recent Education Week K-12 Essentials Forum, principals Terita Walker and Tony Cattani discussed effective strategies for boosting teacher morale. Cattani emphasized the importance of personal recognition, sharing, “I've called a [teacher's] mother who was 70 years old. She said, ‘I haven't had a principal call since she was 14.'” This personal touch helps teachers feel valued beyond the classroom. While teacher morale is improving, challenges like student mental health and low academic scores persist. Both principals noted that strong relationships with administrators significantly enhance job satisfaction. Christina Colangelo, a math teacher at Lenape High School, highlighted the importance of principals showing genuine interest in teachers' lives. To foster trust, Walker hosts informal gatherings and seeks to understand teachers' needs, stating, “It's important as school leaders to realize that people want to know that you know them.”

 

Education Week News

According to a recent national survey by the Gallup-Walton Family Foundation, teachers who utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools weekly save an average of six weeks during the school year. The survey revealed that only 32% of K-12 teachers use AI regularly, while 40% do not use it at all. Stephanie Marken, senior partner for U.S. research at Gallup, said: “Teachers are not only gaining back valuable time, they are also reporting that AI is helping to strengthen the quality of their work.” Despite the benefits, a significant gap in AI adoption exists, with only 19% of teachers indicating their schools have an AI policy. The report also highlights that 65% of special education teachers believe AI can enhance accessibility for students with disabilities, although concerns about the ethical implications of AI in classrooms persist.

 

EdSource

Tomball ISD is set to launch the Tomball Academy of Future Educators (TAFE) program in August 2026, aimed at preparing students for careers in education. The initiative will be located at Tomball West High School. TAFE is the second P-TECH program introduced by TISD, following a health care-focused program launched in fall 2023. The program will partner with Lone Star College-Tomball, allowing students to earn an associate degree while gaining hands-on experience in district classrooms. TISD Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora stated: "As the demand for dedicated and well-prepared educators continues to rise, we believe it is our responsibility to invest in our students who are called to serve and lead in education."

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Marble Falls ISD has recognized two outstanding leaders for their contributions to campus culture. Patrick Hinson, Principal of Marble Falls High School, has been named the 2025-2026 Region 13 High School Principal of the Year, while Haley Wheeler, Assistant Principal at Marble Falls Middle School, received the same honor for middle schools. Both will compete for state-level awards at the TASSP Summer Workshop next June.

 

Marble Falls Highlander News

Justin Newman has been appointed as the new principal of Monterey High School, as announced by Lubbock ISD. The decision comes ahead of discussions regarding the upcoming budget and furniture contracts. The district is facing a projected $7.6m budget deficit for 2026, with a decrease in expected revenue to $230.2m due to lower tax collections. Expenditures are also expected to drop by $5m, totaling $237.8m for the year.

 

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

J.A. Gonzalez has been appointed as the new Hidalgo ISD superintendent, with an annual base salary of $210,000 for a three-year contract ending June 30, 2028. Gonzalez previously served as superintendent at Harlingen CISD and McAllen ISD, where he was recognized as Texas Superintendent of the Year in 2020. His contract includes benefits such as health and dental insurance, additional vacation days, and stipends for travel and technology. Board President Yesenia Ayala expressed optimism about Gonzalez's leadership, stating, “We’re entering an exciting new era at Hidalgo ISD.” The contract outlines performance goals and conditions for termination, ensuring accountability and effective governance.

 

The Monitor

Only 9% of Canadian students learn about climate change often in school, while 42% say it's rarely or never discussed in the classroom, according to a new national survey from the nonprofit Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF). The report, called "From Awareness to Action: Canadians' Views on Climate Change and Education," is based on the responses of over 4,200 students, educators, parents, and the general public. It found that sixty-two percent believe climate change should be a high priority in education, while 56% believe it should be taught by all teachers.  When asked to grade schools on how well they were addressing climate change issues, only 4% gave schools an "A." Three-quarters of Canadians gave a "C" or lower. Research consultant Karen S. Acton, who worked on the report, said its findings underline the need for Canadian governments to introduce mandatory climate curriculum standards, and increase funding for teacher professional learning and resources. "Now more than ever, we need a reimagined education system that values climate learning as a core competency," she added. "Policymakers and education leaders must rise to meet this challenge before another generation of students graduate feeling unprepared to face the defining issue of their time."

 

Phys.org