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On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee (HAC) advanced a bill that would reduce federal Title I funding for low-income schools by 26%. The plan, which would also cut the overall U.S. Department of Education budget by 15% to $67bn for fiscal year 2026, differs from the bipartisan proposal agreed to by the Senate Appropriations Committee in July, which recommends increasing funding for the department by around $300m. An HAC report on the bill cites disappointing student test scores, despite increases in funding, arguing that "Federal tax dollars have not been shown to result in meaningful improvement in student achievement." Attempts to prevent cuts to Title I were unsuccessful; ranking Democrat Rosa DeLauro (D-CN) said the cuts will remove at least 72,000 teachers out of classrooms in low-income communities. A measure to block funding for mandatory active shooter drills unless parents are given an opt-out for students under 16 was agreed to by voice vote.

 

K-12 Dive

What can you do with the 2025 MAP Growth norms? Turning test results into action.

The 2025 MAP ^®; Growth™ norms are here, and while your students RIT scores are still measuring achievement on the same scale you know and trust, the reference point for interpreting those scores has shifted to reflect how students are performing today. Think of it like Google Street View updating its imagery. You’re still navigating the same streets, but now you’re seeing what the neighborhood actually looks like today, instead of photos from five years ago.

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Two students were critically injured following a shooting at Evergreen High School in the Denver metro area on Wednesday. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, a total of three minors were hospitalized, including the suspected shooter, who was injured by a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said: “Students should be able to attend school safely and without fear,” expressing concern for the victims and the community. U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) expressed her shock and heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to ensure the safety of children. Evergreen High School is part of the Jefferson Public School District, which also includes Columbine High School, the site of a school shooting in 1999 that was one of the deadliest in the United States at the time. “We cannot pretend this is just another tragic incident,” superintendent Tracy Dorland said in a statement on Wednesday night. “The pain of this incident reopens old wounds.”

 

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On Wednesday the U.S. Supreme Court denied South Carolina's request to pause a federal appeals court injunction that allows a 9th-grade transgender boy, identified as John Doe, to use restrooms consistent with his gender identity. The court's decision, which was not a ruling on the case's merits, reflects ongoing national discussions about transgender rights in schools. The three dissenters in the case were justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., and Neil M. Gorsuch. The injunction was granted by the 4th Circuit Court, which ruled that schools must permit trans students to use restrooms aligned with their gender identity under Title IX and the 14th Amendment. Doe's legal team argued that the injunction is crucial for his well-being, commenting: “no student has ever complained about sharing a boys' restroom with John.” The court's action comes amid a growing national debate over trans rights in schools and at a time when the Supreme Court is receiving more appeals over the matter. In its new term that begins next month, it will hear arguments in two cases involving trans students' participation in girls' and women's athletics.

 

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Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, the chief financial officer of Fort Worth ISD, is leaving her position to become the director of budget and finance for El Paso County. Since January 2022, she has implemented significant improvements, including processes for Academic Return on Investment and a new Enterprise Resource Planning system. Fort Worth ISD officials praised her contributions and have begun searching for her successor, with a salary range of $176,000-$212,000. Arrieta-Candelaria's departure follows the approval of a $43.6m deficit budget for the 2025-26 school year, necessitating the use of reserves. The Texas Education Agency has also indicated a failing rating for the district due to a technical error, although a corrective action plan is in place to address future issues.

 

Star-Telegram

Property owners in Humble ISD will see a flat tax rate of $1.1052 per $100 valuation for the fiscal year 2025-26, as approved unanimously by HISD trustees on September 9. This rate remains unchanged from the previous year. However, rising property values may lead to increased tax bills for some homeowners. Recent legislative changes, including House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 2, have influenced tax rates statewide. Additionally, voters will have the chance to approve amendments that could increase property tax exemptions in November. The district's budget for FY 2025-26 includes $543.6m in expenses and $543.7m in revenue, with teacher salaries raised to $66,000 and average raises of 3%-7% for experienced teachers.

 

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Keller ISD's board of trustees has updated its policy to allow homeschooled students to participate in all University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities. The decision, made during a 4-3 vote on August 28, aims to welcome more community members without overburdening the district. Trustee Charles Randklev remarked: "What greater way to open the door, and showcase all the great things that Keller ISD does?" However, some trustees expressed concerns about the implications of this broad policy change. Superintendent Cory Wilson emphasized that participation will come with minimal additional administrative burden and that it will follow specific eligibility requirements. This policy change follows legislative support from House Bill 547 and Senate Bill 401, which facilitate the inclusion of homeschooled students in UIL activities.

 

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Over the past decade, alternative schooling options like charter and private schools have significantly impacted funding for local independent school districts. As public school enrollment declines, districts lose vital state funds based on student attendance. Sean Maika, North East ISD Superintendent, commented: "School funding is a very complex system. We are truly funded based on average daily attendance." Data from the Texas Education Agency reveals that over 20,000 students transferred out of Northside ISD in the 2024-25 school year, with 81% moving to charter and private schools. NEISD experienced a similar trend, with 77% of over 10,000 transfers opting for alternatives. Inga Cotton, founder of School Discovery Network, noted that "the number one driving factor to choose charter schools is learning models." Looking ahead, the recent Senate Bill 2 allows families to use public funds for private education starting in the 2026-27 school year, potentially exacerbating the funding crisis for public schools.

 

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The Leander ISD board of trustees is deliberating potential school closures and cost-saving measures due to significant budget shortfalls. Chief Operations Officer Jeremy Trimble highlighted three options: closing Cypress, Faubion, and Steiner Ranch Elementary Schools; adjusting staffing at underenrolled campuses; or a combination of both. Projections indicate a $22.8m shortfall in 2026-27, prompting concerns about the district's enrollment calculations and functional capacity assessments. Chief communications officer Crestina Hardie noted extensive community engagement, with over 300 participants voicing their opinions at board meetings. Superintendent Bruce Gearing emphasized the unsustainable nature of the current budget: "These are very, very difficult conversations to contemplate because we know without a doubt that they're going to have an impact on [the student experience]." The board will continue discussions on September 18 and may vote on the proposed actions on October 9.

 

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The 2025 Educator Confidence Report by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt reveals a significant increase in educator optimism, with nearly half of the 1,005 teachers and over half of the 150 administrators feeling positive about their professions. This marks a rise from only 35% confidence last year. Despite concerns over decreased school funding, educators report improved student academic growth. The report highlights that while 25% of teachers and 36% of administrators plan to leave the profession in the next five years, there is a growing confidence in using technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms. Almost 90% of teachers believe AI users should be taught ethical usage, indicating a readiness for more training in this area.

 

EdSource

Killeen ISD has placed 12 employees on administrative leave since the school year began on August 13. KISD's head spokeswoman, Karen Rudolph, emphasized that "student safety is always our top priority," explaining that employees may be placed on leave for various reasons, including allegations that require review or precautionary measures. The district has communicated with families through seven emails regarding these situations across multiple campuses, including Aycock Middle School and Venable Village Elementary. Principal Savannah Jimenez informed families about two employees placed on leave for alleged "inappropriate conversations and unprofessional conduct involving students." Rudolph noted that the increase in notifications reflects KISD's commitment to transparency rather than a rise in incidents, noting: "KISD will not tolerate inappropriate conduct by employees." As of now, only one employee has resigned, and none have been fired.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Students in Lewisville ISD will continue to receive vital support for drug and alcohol addiction through a renewed partnership with Serenity High School, which is located within McKinney North High School. This contract extension, approved on September 8, will last through the 2025-26 school year. Serenity High provides a structured environment for students who have completed a recognized treatment program and wish to earn their Texas high school diploma. According to Samantha Fitzpatrick, Director of Communications: "Students remain a part of LISD while attending the school." The district pays $85 per day for each enrolled student, ensuring ongoing funding based on attendance. Currently, around 30 students benefit from this program, which also includes community service and group support activities. Other districts, such as Allen ISD and Frisco ISD, have similar partnerships with Serenity High School.

 

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Two major US teacher unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, along with educators from Oregon, are suing the Trump administration over its immigration enforcement policies, specifically challenging the decision to allow arrests near school campuses. The lawsuit argues that this action terrorizes children and teachers, leading to decreased student attendance and participation, with some students dropping out. This action is considered a violation of the law and a departure from a nearly three-decade-old policy that designated schools, hospitals, and places of worship as "sensitive locations" to be avoided by immigration agents. Instances cited include masked agents making arrests near schools, even on private property, causing school lockdowns and student anxiety. Educators report increased fear among immigrant students and parents, affecting special education enrollment and English language learner classes. The legal challenge asserts that these policy changes violate the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.

 

Hunstville Item

Texas lawmakers have passed House Bill 8, which aims to replace the traditional high-stakes STAAR exam with three shorter, adaptive assessments throughout the school year, pending Gov. Greg Abbott's signature. The 2027–2028 school year will see the implementation of this reform, a major change in state education policy. Lawmakers believe it will allow for closer monitoring of student growth, reducing the pressure of a single exam. However, some education leaders, like Lockhart ISD Superintendent Mark Estrada, express skepticism: "While that may sound like less stress, it actually means students will face more testing overall." The bill also eliminates the graduation requirement tied to the English II assessment and restricts districts from administering local tests, focusing solely on state assessments. Despite these changes, the new assessments will still impact school accountability ratings under the A–F grading system.

 

Lockhart Post-Register

Plano ISD has experienced a significant decline in enrollment, dropping by over 2,600 students since last year, with current figures at 43,905 as of September 5. This decline is part of a longer trend, as enrollment has decreased every year since peaking at 55,659 in 2011-12. Deputy Superintendent Johnny Hill commented: "Whenever the district is going down in enrollment, our budget is always chasing that," highlighting the financial implications of the drop. The district budgeted for approximately 1,700 more students than currently enrolled, leading to about 90 unfilled positions. Enrollment declines were noted across all grades, with ninth, sixth, and third grades seeing the largest drops. Currently, PISD operates at 70% capacity, with 80%-85% considered optimal efficiency.

 

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For the first time, there are more children in the world who are obese than underweight, according to a major study by Unicef, which warns that ultra-processed food is overwhelming childhood diets. The United Nations agency said there are 188m teenagers and school-age children with obesity, affecting health and development, and bring a risk of life-threatening diseases. While 9.2% of five to 19-year-olds worldwide are underweight, 9.4% are considered obese, the report found. In 2000, nearly 13% were underweight and just 3% were obese. Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The highest rates of obesity among children and young people are found in some of the Pacific Island states, including Niue (38%), the Cook Islands (37%), and Nauru (33%). But many high-income countries also face a serious obesity problem. Among 5-19 year olds, 27% are obese in Chile, 21% in the United States, and 21% in the UAE. UNICEF is urging governments to take binding measures, including advertising restrictions, taxes on sugary drinks and unhealthy foods, and policies that encourage production of fresh produce.

 

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