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Gov. Greg Abbott has launched his reelection campaign with a bold property tax-cut platform aimed at reducing the financial burden on homeowners. His plan includes eliminating school property taxes for homeowners, imposing stricter limits on property value increases, and making it harder for local governments to raise taxes. “Every single year, you, my constituents, keep saying our property taxes are too high,” Abbott said during a campaign event in Fort Worth. While some conservative groups support the initiative, tax policy experts express skepticism about its feasibility and potential impact on high tax bills. The proposal, which could cost the state billions, would require legislative approval and faces challenges in balancing the budget. Abbott remains optimistic, asserting that Texas's economic growth will sustain the necessary funding for these cuts.

 

The Gilmer Mirror

HMH Into Reading Texas and ¡Arriba la Lectura! Texas added to the IMRA list

HMH’s newly updated, Into Reading Texas and its Spanish counterpart, ¡Arriba la Lectura!, have been added to the state’s IMRA list as approved ELA materials. The program boasts award-winning literature, Foundational Skills instruction based on the Science of Reading, and an easy-to-implement pedagogy with robust support options.

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The Secure Rural Schools Act, which provides essential funding for school districts surrounded by untaxed federal land, expired in fall 2023. However, on Tuesday, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly, 399 to 5, to extend the program through 2027 and provide retroactive payments to affected districts. Jaime Green, the superintendent of Trinity Alps USD, emphasized the importance of the program, commenting: "If the Secure Rural Schools Act was extended, financially we will be alright for years to come." The program, originally enacted as a temporary measure, has faced funding lapses due to congressional disagreements. The recent extension aims to stabilize funding for rural schools, which have been significantly impacted by the decline of the logging industry and the federal government's ownership of land.

 

Los Angeles Times

The structure of elementary reading blocks varies significantly across schools, despite over 40 states mandating evidence-based approaches to early reading instruction. While foundational skills like phonics are emphasized, the allocation of time and the sequencing of activities remain contentious. Anjanette McNeely, a kindergarten teacher at Windridge Elementary in Kaysville, Utah, integrates various components of literacy instruction, arguing: "I think we can have both" structured teaching and free play. Similarly, Jeannette Symmonds, a first-grade teacher at BelovED Community Charter in Jersey City, New Jersey, adapts her schedule based on student needs, emphasizing flexibility in instruction. Research suggests that while a reading block of 90 minutes is common, experts recommend extending this to two to three hours to better support diverse student needs.

 

Education Week News

Houston ISD is enhancing student opportunities to earn college credits, industry certifications, and associate degrees while still in high school. Currently, HISD operates 13 Early College High School (ECHS) and Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programs, with plans to add five more campuses by the 2027-2028 school year. During the planning year, leadership teams will engage with staff, parents, and community members to align programs with workforce needs. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, HISD will also introduce a guaranteed pathway to an associate degree at every comprehensive high school. “These expanded pathways are about giving our high school students real options for a real head start,” said Daniel Gray, Deputy Chief of College, Career, and Military Readiness. This initiative aims to prepare students for high-demand careers and support the Houston economy.

 

The Leader News

Northwest ISD has officially named its new high school after J. Fred Davis Jr., a former board member who served for 12 years during the 1960s and 1970s. The unanimous decision was made by the board of trustees on December 8. The school, located near I-35 and SH 170 in Fort Worth, is set to open in August 2027, initially welcoming freshmen and sophomores. It aims to alleviate overcrowding at Eaton and Byron Nelson high schools. “Dad believed in the power of education,” said Anne Simpson, Davis's daughter and a former school board member. The construction is funded by a nearly $2bn bond approved by voters in May 2023, which will also support other educational facilities.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has expressed strong opposition to the Senate Banking Committee's proposed crypto market structure bill, the Responsible Financial Innovation Act. AFT President Randi Weingarten stated: "If passed, it will undercut the safety of many assets and cause problems across retirement investments." The AFT argues that the legislation poses "profound risks to the pensions of working families and the overall stability of the economy." Concerns include the potential for widespread fraud and the erosion of protections for traditional securities. Weingarten emphasized that the bill could lead to unsafe assets in pension and 401(k) plans, warning that it may lay the groundwork for the next financial crisis. The AFT's stance reflects broader apprehensions among labor unions and state officials regarding the implications of the bill on financial oversight and consumer protection.

 

CNBC

Corpus Christi ISD is seeking to postpone a state mandate that requires all core subject teachers to be fully certified. Currently, 185 teachers in the district lack full certification for the foundational courses they teach. If approved, the delay would extend the certification requirement until the 2029-30 school year. Texas has mandated that public school districts ensure all teachers in foundational subjects are certified by 2026 and 2027. This means that for the next four school years, many students in Corpus Christi may be taught by teachers who are not fully certified. A certified teacher must have a bachelor's degree, complete an approved educator preparation program, and pass relevant certification exams, ensuring they are equipped to manage student needs and behavior, said the district.

 

Caller-Times

Argyle ISD is experiencing significant growth, with enrollment increasing by 2,246 students over the past five years, a nearly 77% rise. Superintendent Courtney Carpenter said: “It's a delicate balance, meeting today's needs while responsibly preparing for tomorrow's growth.” The district is preparing to use portable classrooms temporarily as new facilities won't be ready until the 2027-28 school year. Despite passing $685m in bonds for new construction, three elementary campuses are nearing capacity. The growth is attributed to residential development, with Town Manager Mike Sims noting a 50% population increase in Argyle over five years. The district is also planning for future expansion, including a new middle school and a two-high-school model by 2027.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing has announced his retirement at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, having led the district since 2019. "This district and this community have changed my life," Gearing said, expressing gratitude for the support he received. Under his leadership, the district improved its special education program and won the Advanced Placement District of the Year award in 2023. Anna Smith, Leander school board President, praised Gearing for his community focus and significant contributions. Gearing will serve as superintendent emeritus during the transition, while the school board plans to appoint an acting superintendent soon. Before Leander, Gearing held positions in various Texas school districts and was recognized as Region 13 Superintendent of the Year in 2019.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Brian Lusk has been appointed as the new superintendent of El Paso ISD, bringing 30 years of experience from Dallas. Lusk expressed his admiration for the district's culture, stating, "The work being done at El Paso ISD has been great." He aims to address challenges such as a $6m budget deficit and declining enrollment, which has dropped from approximately 60,000 students in 2016 to about 48,000 in 2025. Lusk emphasized the importance of community collaboration and student-centered initiatives, noting, "If we can continue to do that, that financial challenge will be a brief obstacle." He also highlighted the need for effective programs to ensure students are college and career ready. Lusk replaces Diana Sayavedra, who retired in June, and is committed to improving academic outcomes for all students.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

El Paso Times

Marlene Price has been promoted to principal at Bluebonnet Elementary School in Flower Mound, Lewisville ISD, effective immediately. Price, who has served as the assistant principal since 2024, expressed her excitement, saying, “Bluebonnet Elementary holds a special place in my heart and I am truly honored to serve as its principal.” With a career in public education beginning in 1994, she has held various teaching and administrative roles, including significant contributions to student growth and instructional practices. Dr. Lori Rapp, Lewisville Superintendent, praised Price as a “proven, student-driven leader” and noted her commitment to collaboration and instructional excellence. Price earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University.

 

The Cross Timbers Gazette

The U.S. Education Department has agreed to end former President Joe Biden’s SAVE student loan repayment plan as part of a proposed settlement with Republican-led states who argued it was too generous. SAVE, which offered low or $0 payments and early loan forgiveness for low-income borrowers, will stop accepting new applications, and 7m current enrollees will be shifted to other plans. Borrowers must soon choose between fixed or income-driven options, ahead of the rollout of new Republican-backed repayment plans in 2026. The change comes as 12m borrowers are already behind on payments, raising concerns about a potential default wave.

 

NPR

New research by DCU’s Create centre has found that 86% of primary and post-primary teachers in Ireland are experiencing moderate to high levels of personal and work-related burnout. The 2025 Teacher Occupational Wellbeing Research report, which surveyed over 1,000 educators, identified workload as the primary contributor, alongside unrealistic parental expectations, complex work structures, and challenges in supporting students with special educational needs. In response, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has called on Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton to establish an independent review of teacher workload, mirroring a recent initiative in Northern Ireland. INTO General Secretary John Boyle warned that “intolerable and unmanageable demands” are fuelling burnout, contributing to teacher shortages and vacancies.

 

RTÉ

Rod Paige, the first Black and first educator to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education, has died at 92. Appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001, Paige championed the No Child Left Behind Act, a landmark education reform focused on standardized testing and accountability to close achievement gaps. Though initially celebrated, the law later faced mounting criticism for its rigid mandates and inadequate support for underperforming schools. Paige’s tenure was marred by controversies, including inflammatory comments about teachers’ unions and a public relations scandal. A former Houston schools superintendent, Paige remained active in education after leaving office, co-authoring books and briefly leading Jackson State University.

 

New York Times

The Texas Tribune