Become more informed in minutes....

Texas is preparing to launch its school voucher program, allowing families to apply for state funds to support private or homeschool education. The application process for private schools will begin before the year ends, with families able to apply starting February 2026. The program is backed by a $52m contract with Odyssey, a New York-based company, which will manage the application process and design the system for parents. Kelly Hancock, Texas' chief financial officer, noted that the program could see funding reach nearly $5bn over the next five years. "Odyssey has been chosen to assist states in creating education savings accounts," said Joseph Connor, the company's founder. The comptroller's office will oversee the program, which aims to provide families with thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds for educational expenses.

 

Denton Record-Chronicle

The Texas Tribune

10 Expert Tips to Prevent Bullying and Suicide in Schools  

In recognition of Bullying Prevention Month, this guide provides 10 evidence-based strategies for K-12 leaders to help reduce bullying and suicide risk. From staff training to parent involvement and policy creation, discover practical steps to build a safer and more connected school community.  

Download Guide

 

Ector County ISD is currently celebrating Principals Month, emphasizing the vital role of school leaders in fostering excellent teaching and student achievement. "Great schools are led by great principals," said Superintendent Keeley Boyer, acknowledging the dedication and hard work of these leaders. The district is committed to developing future principals through various programs, including the Principal Fellow Program, which offers grant-funded opportunities for teachers to earn their master's degree while working with successful principals. Additionally, the Principal Incentive Allotment rewards effective principals, and the Aspiring Principal Program provides hands-on experience for assistant principals and interns. Boyer expressed gratitude for the leadership of principals, stating: "They are difference-makers in the lives of children and in the future of our community." The celebration highlights the importance of continuous learning and growth for school leaders.

 

Star-Telegram

In Gunter, Texas, students Caleb Siler and Karlee Beavers express their love for home-cooked meals, describing cafeteria staff as "school moms" who care for them. This week, Gunter ISD is celebrating National School Lunch Week and Farm-to-School Month by introducing a new global menu. "Having the ability to bring it here, to our own school... it brings the spark back to our lunch," said Karlee. Superintendent Brandon Enos noted that students are experiencing new cultural foods, which broadens their culinary horizons. Each student collects stamps in a "passport" as they try different dishes, enhancing their appreciation for diverse cuisines. "There's lots of things that go into a culture, and one of those things is the cuisines they make," Enos said.

 

Moore County News Press

Austin ISD is advancing its affordable housing initiative, with plans to construct a 675-unit community in East Austin. The AISD Public Facility Corporation approved the first of two income-restricted apartment buildings, with the East apartment building set to break ground in December and completion expected by 2028. "We are shovel-ready," said Nick Walsh, vice president of development for The NRP Group. Approximately half of the units will be income-restricted, prioritizing leasing for AISD teachers and staff. The project will also include amenities like pools, fitness centers, and a nonprofit space for Todos Juntos. The total cost for the East apartment building is projected at $93m, with various financial benefits for AISD, including property tax exemptions and revenue sharing. This initiative aims to address the rising cost of living and support the district's staff, as a survey revealed that 66% of AISD staff identified as cost-burdened.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Georgetown ISD teachers will soon have the chance to earn higher salaries through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), which aims to reward high-performing educators. The program allows teachers to receive stipends ranging from $3,000 to $36,000, depending on their effectiveness and designation level, which includes recognized, exemplary, and master categories. Wes Vanicek, Georgetown chief of construction and future readiness initiatives, mentioned: "Teachers at some campuses may receive more funding than others due to the school's student demographics." Starting in the 2024-25 school year, a new "acknowledged" designation will offer up to $9,000 to the top 50% of Texas teachers. Eligible teachers will be notified of their designations in April or May, with payments expected in June. Approximately 600-700 Georgetown teachers are currently eligible for this program.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Friendswood ISD achieved a score of 90 out of 100 in its annual Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report, presented to the board of trustees on October 13. The FIRST program, established by the Texas Education Agency following Senate Bill 218, aims to hold school districts accountable for their financial management practices. The rating evaluates various factors, including financial solvency, budgetary practices, and debt management, using 21 indicators. While FISD performed well overall, it did not receive a perfect score in three specific indicators related to current assets, long-term obligations, and future debt requirements. "The purpose of FIRST is to ensure districts are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices," stated the FISD presentation.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Concerns are rising among educators regarding the decline of longer, more challenging texts in English/language arts classrooms. Laura Patranella, a fifth-grade teacher in Seguin, Texas, emphasizes the importance of reading full novels, such as Sharon Creech's Love That Dog, to foster deep discussions and emotional connections among students. “That was a really powerful time for everyone,” Patranella noted about her students' collective experience. Research indicates that prolonged reading of complete works is essential for developing reading skills, as Maryanne Wolf, director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at the University of California, Los Angeles, said: “The reading brain needs to be exercised.” However, a 2023 EdWeek survey revealed that a quarter of educators in grades three to eight primarily rely on excerpts, raising questions about the future of novel reading in schools.

 

Education Week News

Jeremy West presented to the Breckenridge ISD board on October 13 regarding the new requirement for all Texas school buses to have three-point lap and shoulder seatbelts, as mandated by Senate Bill 546. This law requires districts to either retrofit existing buses, purchase new ones, or apply for budget exemptions. West noted that retrofitting costs about $30,000 per bus and emphasized the urgency, stating, "The Texas Education Agency (TEA) wants the report by this school year because then, of course, they are going to take all those numbers from the state." The deadline for full compliance is September 1, 2029, with TEA collecting data by January 1, 2027. Despite the law, there is no requirement for students to be buckled in, raising safety concerns. The bill was introduced following a tragic accident involving a school bus and a cement truck that resulted in two fatalities.

 

Breckenridge American

All Floresville ISD students can now enjoy free after-school meals, as announced by Superintendent Jason Gilstrap during the school board meeting on September 8. The district has received approval for the Adult Care Food Program, also known as the Dinner Program, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. This initiative aims to provide nutritious meals to students, ensuring that no child goes hungry after school. "This program is a significant step in supporting our students' well-being," said Gilstrap.

 

Wilson County News

Clear Creek ISD officials have initiated an enrollment campaign to combat declining student numbers. The "Discover CCISD" campaign, presented at the board's October 13 workshop, highlights the district's open enrollment program, allowing out-of-district families to apply for admission. The campaign will unfold in three phases: a webinar series from Oct. 20-30, campus tours from November 3-14, and an application window from December 1 to January 23. Board member Jamieson Mackay said, “This seems like another example of how we have an issue and the team comes together and does great work to come up with a strategy.” Since the 2019-20 school year, CCISD has seen a decline of over 6% in student enrollment, prompting the expansion of the open enrollment program to attract more students. Nearly 300 interest forms were submitted following the program's expansion, indicating a positive response from families.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

A group of Indigenous educators in Ontario has urged the federal government to increase funding for on-reserve schools rather than recalculating allocations, following a letter from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) warning of delayed 2025–2026 payments and adjustments to funding models. Although the overall education budget has increased, protections for previous funding levels have been removed, and ancillary support has been cut, prompting concerns about sustainability, planning uncertainty, and long-term development of culturally relevant curricula. The situation has left Indigenous schools unable to plan for the year or beyond, and waiting to see if cuts will be needed, said Chippewa Chief Joe Miskokomon. "You can't program anything if you don't know what you're getting," he said. "It's placed the whole system in a state of not knowing whether you'll have resources to open." Some new ancillary funding, which can go to pay for additional needs such as tutoring for a struggling student, has been cut, said Leslee White-Eye, who heads the First Nations With School Collective, a group of eight Ontario First Nations pushing for a new funding model. The ISC said in the letter to educators that it remains committed to funding First Nations schools so they're "at a minimum, directly provincially comparable."

 

CBC News