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Texas
6th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas schools shine in rankings

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has highlighted that Texas has more public high schools in the nation's top 150 than any other state, posting on X: "Another step on the path to being #1 in education." Among these, three San Antonio campuses made the list: BASIS San Antonio-Shavano Campus, Young Women's Leadership Academy, and Health Careers High School. BASIS San Antonio-Shavano, ranked No. 58, and Young Women's Leadership Academy, ranked No. 98, both boast 100% AP participation and graduation rates. Health Careers High School, ranked 137th, also has a 100% graduation rate and a 94% AP participation rate. However, Abbott's definition of “public high school” is questioned, as admission to these schools is based on a lottery or application process, limiting access for local residents.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Florida seeks fix for unused vouchers

Florida's school choice program has revealed significant issues, with over $400m in taxpayer-funded education vouchers remaining unused. Approximately 500,000 students have accepted these vouchers, yet many are not utilizing the funds, leading to concerns about accountability. State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) remarked: "Hundreds of millions of dollars have been sitting unspent in so-called scholarship accounts where they could have been funding our public schools." In response to a recent audit highlighting a lack of oversight, lawmakers are proposing reforms for 2026, including measures to recover unspent funds more efficiently. The proposed legislation, FL SB318 (26R), aims to shorten the time frame for deeming accounts inactive and enhance communication with parents regarding voucher balances.

LEGAL

Uvalde officer trial begins

A Texas judge has seated a jury for the trial of Adrian Gonzales, a former school police officer charged with 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment related to the Uvalde school shooting in 2022. Gonzales, who has pleaded not guilty, was among the first responders during the attack that resulted in the deaths of 19 students and two teachers. The trial, expected to last about two weeks, will examine whether Gonzales's inaction constituted child endangerment. Special prosecutor Bill Turner said, “If there is a duty to act and you fail to act, that's child endangerment.” The case has drawn significant attention, with many questioning the response of law enforcement during the tragedy.

TEACHING

Phones distracting teen learning

Recent research published in the journal JAMA reveals that adolescents spend an average of seventy minutes on their phones during school hours, which detracts from their focus on learning. Dr. Jason Nagata, the lead author and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, said: "That time is literally during the school day when children and adolescents should be in classes." The study tracked phone usage among six hundred forty adolescents, highlighting that most of their screen time was spent on social media platforms rather than educational apps. Despite existing school policies against phone use, many students find ways to circumvent these rules. Experts suggest that parents should model responsible phone use and engage in discussions with their children about the benefits of reducing screen time to enhance academic performance and social skills.

TESTING

Pearland ISD tops Houston SAT scores

Pearland ISD has achieved the highest average SAT score in the Houston area, according to the Texas Education Agency. The district surpassed all 24 school districts in Region IV, achieving an average score of 1158 in 2024, up from 1147 in 2023. Joseph Cahill, PISD's director of advanced academics, said, “We are incredibly proud of our students and the dedication of our educators who have worked tirelessly to maintain excellence, even through the challenges of the post-pandemic learning environment.” While Texas seniors averaged a score of 971, this marks a decline for the seventh consecutive year, remaining below the national average of 1024.

LEADERSHIP

East Texas school superintendent to run for state Senate

Steve Clugston, the Pine Tree ISD Superintendent, has declared his candidacy as a conservative independent for the Texas Senate, aiming to represent East Texas. Clugston, who has led the Longview school district for eight years, will compete against incumbent Bryan Hughes and Democratic candidate Laticia Ambroz in the November 2026 election. Clugston plans to focus on public education, opposing the state's voucher program while advocating for accountability.

DISTRICTS

Unlocking education: join the showcase

Vintage Christian Academy (VCA) in Harker Heights is set to host a school showcase and voucher information event on February 5 at 6 p.m. The event will feature Laura Colangelo, executive director of the Texas Private School Association, who will provide insights into the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. This initiative aims to make quality classical Christian education accessible through state-funded education savings accounts. Colangelo will guide attendees on TEFA eligibility and application procedures. The program, launching for the 2026-27 school year, will offer eligible students funds for private school tuition and educational expenses.

STEM

STEM-focused school opens in Frisco

Winters Park Academy, a new private school in Frisco, is set to open on January 6, accepting pre-K through 5th grade students. Founder and CEO Brandi Johnson said the academy will emphasize STEM education, utilizing a research-based approach to enhance academic achievement. The school will feature a library, a STEM technology and robotics centre, a music room, a gymnasium, a health clinic, and a catering kitchen, with class sizes capped at 18 students.

CHARTERS

Harmony launches new online learning platform

Harmony Public Schools has launched its new virtual learning platform, Harmony Online Learning, enabling students across Texas to take high school courses online. With 65 campuses and over 50,000 students, the charter system offers a STEM-focused education. The program features self-paced courses aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards, covering core subjects, electives, advanced placement, and career and technical education. Tuition is set at $325 per course, with spring classes starting on January 12. Additionally, Harmony is developing a system for local school districts to purchase online courses for students.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Teachers arrested for harming student

Authorities in Texas have arrested three former staff members from Watts Elementary School for allegedly restraining and injuring a student with special needs. Teacher Jessica Longo and paraprofessionals Julia Cantu and Veronica Guerra-Ulrich were charged with felony unlawful restraint and injury to a child. The school district, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, confirmed it took immediate action upon learning of the misconduct on December 17, ensuring student safety and reporting the matter to law enforcement.

INTERNATIONAL

Finland tackles fake news in schools

Finland embeds media literacy into its national curriculum from preschool, teaching children to identify disinformation and now AI-generated content. As Russia escalates propaganda across Europe, Finnish students learn to question media as a civic skill. “It’s very important to the nation’s safety and to the safety of our democracy,” said Kiia Hakkala, a Helsinki education specialist. With AI literacy now added, students like those at Tapanila Primary School are taught to spot deepfakes. Finland leads Europe in media literacy, supported by efforts like the “ABC Book of Media Literacy” and adult education programs.
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