Become more informed in minutes....

Following two critical incidents in September, Eanes ISD Chief of Police Matthew Greer highlighted significant communication challenges among multiple responding agencies. During a vehicle pursuit involving a former student with a firearm, Greer described the situation as “difficult,” noting that officers struggled to relay information across different radio channels. A subsequent active shooter situation near Zilker Park further exposed gaps in coordination, as EISD learned of the event from a concerned parent rather than official channels. With five separate police jurisdictions within EISD, dispatching is complicated, leading to conflicting messages during emergencies.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

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.

Use the link below to learn more

Learn More

 

Spring ISD has announced the closure of Link Elementary School and Dueitt Middle School for the 2026-27 school year. This decision, made during the December board meeting, follows a review of the District Optimization Plan and is attributed to a loss of over $13m in federal funding, declining enrollment, and schools operating at about 60% capacity. Board pPresident Justine Durant emphasized the need for this action, stating: "We know this decision was incredibly difficult." Students from the closed schools will be rezoned to nearby schools to ensure continuity in their education.

 

KTRK-TV

Wharton ISD will hold a public hearing to discuss its financial and digital security issues. The district received a failing score of 64, or "F," on the Financial Integrity Ratings System of Texas, making it the only district in Wharton County without an "A." Following the hearing, the board will vote on hiring Live Oak Public Finance as its financial advisor. Live Oak specializes in managing debt and long-term planning for school districts. Additionally, the board will address a recent cybersecurity incident that affected Wharton, with board president Garland Novosad stating that the district was among many Texas districts targeted in a coordinated breach.

 

El Campo Leader News

Humble ISD is advancing several projects linked to the $750m bond approved by voters in May 2022. During the December 9 board meeting, trustees selected AUTOARCH Architects for career and technical education (CTE) renovations at Kingwood and Atascocita High Schools. Additionally, a $3m contract was awarded to Jamail & Smith Construction for new dance studios at Autumn Ridge and West Lake Middle Schools.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Local career and technical education students are inviting the community to their sixth annual Christmas Creations event at Temple High School. The event will feature free, student-led activities for younger children, including ornament decorating, holiday flowers, and even a petting zoo. CTE Director Sara Bartlett said, “Our CTE programs, led by student ambassadors, will transform our labs into a fun and interactive learning space for elementary students.”

 

Killeen Daily Herald

During recent meetings on December 8-9, Tomball ISD trustees approved the use of 2021 and 2025 bond funds for various infrastructure projects, including new security cameras and buses. Chief financial officer Zach Boles outlined the three phases for the 2025 bond projects: planning and design, permitting and bidding, and construction. Notably, construction for the new Tomball Intermediate building is expected to start in October 2026 and finish by May 2028.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Frisco ISD has announced the expansion of its Access Frisco open enrollment program to include high school campuses. The eligible schools for this initiative are Emerson, Frisco, Independence, Liberty, Memorial, and Panther Creek. This move aims to provide more opportunities for students seeking diverse educational options. "The expansion reflects our commitment to offering quality education to all students," said a district representative.

 

Allen American

The Fredericksburg ISD Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Ann Dixon as interim superintendent, effective January 1, 2026, following the departure of current superintendent Dr. Joe Rodriguez. Dr. Rodriguez will assist  Dr. Dixon during the transition period. The board plans to hire a permanent superintendent by late spring, with community input being a key component of the search process.

 

Fredericksburg Standard Post

Three progressive candidates, Lesley Guilmart, Cleveland Lane Jr., and Kendra Camarena, have won trustee positions in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, aiming to reverse conservative policies that banned books and altered curricula. Guilmart, who secured 51% of the vote, emphasized the need for positive change, stating, “In terms of positive change that we can make and harmful decisions that we can reverse, I'd absolutely like to do that.” The new board members plan to engage with existing trustees to discuss immediate improvements, while also addressing the district's $138m budget deficit. Community support is crucial, as Guilmart noted, “It's going to take the community.” The new leadership hopes to create a welcoming environment for all students and staff, moving away from the previous administration's controversial policies.

 

Houston Press

The University of Texas is considering merging its School of Information with the College of Natural Sciences to create a new school that integrates Computer Science, Statistics, Data Sciences, and Information studies. College of Natural Sciences Dean David Vanden Bout and Interim Dean of School of Information Soo Young Rieh assured that current academic credentials would remain intact and departmental autonomy preserved. The School of Information, which has been operational since 1948, is currently ranked sixth nationally by U.S. News & World Report and focuses on a “human-centered” approach to technology. The proposal awaits approval from the UT System Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Pearland ISD has established new partnerships with Walden University and Houston Christian University, allowing students to gain field experience in district schools starting in 2026. The board of trustees approved these five-year agreements during their Dec. 9 meeting. University students will engage in various activities, including observing certified teachers, assisting with instruction, and completing demonstration teaching hours. The district will assign qualified mentor teachers to evaluate the students throughout their experience.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

China has launched new national guidelines aimed at transforming science education in primary and secondary schools by 2035, with a focus on fostering curiosity, hands-on learning, and real-world problem-solving. The Ministry of Education-led initiative calls for tiered, inquiry-driven teaching aligned with students' cognitive development, and promotes project-based learning, digital tracking of innovation, and collaboration with universities and tech firms. Schools are encouraged to integrate classroom and local resources, while teacher training and student evaluations will shift toward creativity and exploration over rote learning. "We often ask children during field visits, 'What is your favorite subject?' They used to say physical education. We hope in the future they will say science," commented Tian Zuyin, director of the ministry's department of basic education.

 

China Daily