Become more informed in minutes....

Central Texas schools are showing improvement overall, but a smaller percentage are passing compared to other regions in Texas, according to rankings from Children at Risk. The region had only 58% of campuses scoring a C or higher, below the statewide average of 65%. Bob Sanborn, president and chief executive of Children at Risk, said: “There's a lot of spin on how bad our public schools are, but the reality is when we look at the data things are getting better.” While some districts, like Hutto and Bastrop, saw significant improvements, nearly 47% of campuses in larger districts experienced declines. The Austin area excelled in college preparation, with several schools designated as “Gold Ribbon” campuses, which serve a high percentage of low-income students. This year marked the first time charter and magnet schools were considered for this designation, highlighting the need for attention to low-income schools.

 

Austin American-Statesman

A federal judge in Boston has ruled that a coalition of eight states, including New York, California, and Massachusetts, can continue their lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to cut $600m in federal grants intended for recruiting and training teachers. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley found that the states may pursue claims that the funding cuts were unconstitutional and violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), though she dismissed their attempt to reclaim the funds in her court, stating that monetary remedies must be sought in the Court of Federal Claims. The lawsuit, filed in March, argues that the Department of Education unlawfully terminated the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development grants, which support educator training in high-need districts. The Trump administration claimed the grants funded training in “divisive ideologies” like antiracism, part of a wider effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes.

 

Bloomberg Law

Courthouse News Service

Reuters

First Lady Melania Trump is leading a new initiative to enhance career and education opportunities for children in foster care. On November 13, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the “Fostering the Future” program, which collaborates with federal agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and the private sector. The initiative aims to create an online hub for foster youth to access essential resources, including vouchers and grants. Melania Trump expressed her pride in the initiative, describing it as “both empathetic and strategic.” She urged leaders from various sectors to join her cause, emphasizing the need to “rise above the ease of inaction.” The program is an extension of her “Be Best” campaign, which began in 2021 and provides scholarships to foster youth, with participating schools including Vanderbilt University and the University of Miami. The initiative involves several federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury.

 

Bloomberg

U.S. News

At a tense public Q&A, Fort Worth ISD teachers, parents, and community members questioned Texas Education Agency officials over the state’s planned takeover. TEA representatives explained the intervention process, but attendees voiced deep distrust and concern, particularly over costs and leadership. "Why should we trust anything you are telling us?" one speaker asked. Teacher Ale Checka, visibly emotional, warned: “You amped up the fear on teachers.” Many criticized the high pay for the conservator and challenged TEA’s claims about past takeovers. The district board may now appeal the decision within 90–120 days.

 

CBS News

In a recent Austin ISD Board of Trustees meeting, the district announced it will not close Palm, Maplewood, and Bryker Woods elementaries next school year, delaying boundary changes until the following year. The decision follows significant community pushback against the initial closure list released on October 3. AISD Superintendent, Dr. Stephanie Segura, clarified that the decision was not influenced by community advocacy. The district is also investigating officials involved in the boundary change decisions, leading to the leave of two key staff members. Additionally, proposals affecting Garza Independence High School and the potential conversion of Zavala and Ortega elementaries into non-zoned Montessori schools have raised concerns among parents.

 

The Austin Chronicle

Cy-Fair ISD will implement a week-long fall break for students and staff starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The Districtwide Educational Improvement Council (DEIC), which includes teachers, parents, and community members, presented the recommended calendar to the board of trustees, who approved it on November 10. Key dates include the first day of school on August 12 and the fall break from October 12-16.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Officials from Humble ISD's Woodland Hills Elementary celebrated the school's 50th anniversary with a reception on November 12. The event welcomed alumni, current students, parents, and former faculty to tour the school, which first opened in November 1975. Principal Cindy Barker, who has been leading since June 2019, noted the significance of the occasion, stating, "It's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our history and celebrate our community." The school serves grades K-5 and is known for its raccoon mascot and red and white colors.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Willis ISD trustees approved the name of the new Elementary School No. 7 as Ruth Castleschouldt Elementary School, set to open in August. This decision is part of the district's $143m 2022 bond initiative.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Special Education Research Collaborative (SPARC) has released a comprehensive study revealing that many teachers certified in special education do not remain in the field. The study highlights that over 15% of special education teachers leave their positions annually, often transitioning to general education roles. Allison Gilmour, the lead author and a principal researcher at the American Institutes of Research (AIR), said: "Our shortages aren't really from not having enough people; it's having people teaching the wrong thing." The research indicates that inadequate professional development and support contribute to high turnover rates. In Texas, for instance, nearly 36% of special education teachers left their positions each year during the study period. The findings suggest that states must enhance mentoring and professional development tailored to the unique challenges of special education to retain qualified educators.

 

Education Week News

The Pearland ISD board approved an incentive pay program for Advanced Placement (AP) and Career and Technology Education (CTE) teachers. The AP merit pay will be based on factors such as exam participation, passing rates, and individual student scores, with a total of $200,000 allocated from the general fund. Each teacher's share will depend on their point total relative to other qualifying teachers. Additionally, the CTE incentive pay program, funded with $50,000, aims to enhance student participation in industry certifications. This program is linked to certifications recognized by the Texas Education Agency for college and career readiness.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Willis ISD board of trustees has approved a one-time retention payment of $1,000 for each employee. During the November 12 meeting. chief financial officer Garrett Matej stated that the total cost will be approximately $1.35m, funded from the district's general fund, with payments scheduled for December 15. All employees and school resource officers hired before November 1 are eligible for this bonus. Following this decision, the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year was amended to $99.8m to accommodate the retention payments and increased security costs. Matej also noted that several positions were added in response to student enrollment growth.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Fort Bend ISD trustees are preparing to vote on a $1m, five-year training program aimed at equipping special education staff with essential skills for managing student behavioral crises. The training, provided by Crisis Prevention Institute, will be mandatory for thousands of employees, including teachers and administrators. While the program is currently required for special education staff, some trustees are advocating for its expansion to general education teachers to foster inclusive classrooms. The board is set to vote on the contract at the November 17 meeting, with expenditures not expected to exceed $200,000 annually.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Ector County ISD's Board of Trustees convened for its November Workshop to discuss the annual financial report. Each school district must prepare annual financial statements, which are audited by an external firm. The auditor, Whitley Penn, will provide a Clean/Unmodified Opinion, indicating no internal control or compliance issues. This week’s discussion was informational, with the report set for board approval next week. Additionally, the Academics & Accountability Department is implementing five strategic priorities, including the revamped EduHub resource center for teachers. The board also reviewed Results Driven Accountability (RDA) results for 2025, which monitors various student groups. Improvements were noted in several areas, with the goal of achieving a determination level of 1, indicating compliance.

 

Star-Telegram

Liberty Hill ISD is set to enhance its educational offerings following the narrow passage of Proposition A, which received 52% of the vote. This voter-approved measure allows the district to secure additional local funding for teacher salaries, campus safety, and essential operations. The district plans to implement a compensation plan that includes raises and retention stipends for staff. Additionally, LHISD aims to maintain funding for safety initiatives and advance facility projects, including the opening of new schools by the 2026-27 academic year.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Harlingen CISD's enrollment has decreased to 16,199 students, down from the anticipated 16,300, according to Shane Sturbhart, the district's spokesman. Last year's enrollment was 16,763. The district's financial situation shows a fund balance of $30.9m as of September, with total assets at $41.3m and liabilities at $10.3m. Ida Ambriz, the assistant superintendent of business services, reported a $1.6m shortfall in expenditures, which totaled $35.7m against $34.1m in revenue. Ambriz noted: "That will be replenished soon," referring to the negative $2m in debt service. The district is also reviewing staffing levels to address financial challenges, having previously cut about 100 positions under Superintendent Veronica Kortan's new fiscal plan.

 

Star-Telegram

Killeen ISD recently recognized the campuses with the highest Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for October. “September is Attendance Awareness Month, but these ongoing celebrations help us keep the emphasis on the importance of daily attendance to student success,” said Karen Rudolph, KISD's head spokeswoman. Cedar Valley Elementary topped the list with an ADA of 96.71%, followed by Nolanville and Skipcha Elementary schools. In middle schools, Union Grove led with 96.54%, while Early College High School achieved the highest ADA among high schools at 96.76%. KISD also acknowledged schools with the most significant improvements in attendance, highlighting the partnership between families and schools in fostering student success.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Clear Creek ISD is reviewing bus services for Brookside Intermediate, Gilmore Elementary, and Hall Elementary due to a hazardous route assessment.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Ontario’s Ministry of Education has announced that all school boards in the province will be required to open new Student and Family Support Offices designed to handle parent concerns that were not resolved at the school level. The five school boards currently under provincial supervision, Ottawa-Carleton, Dufferin-Peel Catholic, Thames Valley, Toronto District, and Toronto Catholic, must open their offices by January 2026, with full details posted on their websites by January 19. All other boards must open theirs by September 1 2026. Each office will be overseen by a supervisor, respond to inquiries within two business days, and aim to provide resolutions within five. The government says the initiative is part of broader reforms to modernize the school board governance structure.

 

CBC News

Toronto Star

Toronto Today

English Teacher, a comedy featuring Brian Jordan Alvarez, Stephanie Koenig, and Enrico Collantoni, has been canceled by FX after two seasons. Reports from Deadline, TVLine, and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the cancellation, although no official reason has been provided by the network. Alvarez, who created and starred in the series about a gay Texas high school teacher navigating personal and professional challenges, faced allegations of sexual assault earlier this year, which he denied. FX stated that the complainant did not reach out directly to express concerns.

 

Star-Telegram