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Texas
12th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas schools reject prayer law

San Antonio school districts are opting out of a new Texas law allowing prayer time during the school day due to concerns over legal liability and church-state conflicts. Senate Bill 11, which permits districts to create a daily prayer period with parental consent, has faced criticism for potentially violating the First Amendment. State Sen. Mayes Middleton, the bill's author, argued that Texas schools should not be "God-free zones," saying: "Litigious atheists are no longer going to get to decide for everyone else if students and educators exercise their religious liberties during school hours." Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, warn that the law could lead to lawsuits and administrative burdens. San Antonio ISD has already voted against adopting a prayer period, with other districts expected to follow suit. Faith leaders have also expressed concerns, stating that the law could alienate students of minority faiths and create unnecessary complications for schools.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Grade inflation threatens students' future success

Grade inflation in the U.S. may adversely affect students' academic performance and future earnings, according to a study presented at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The research analyzed data from nearly 1m students in Los Angeles USD and 250,000 students in Maryland. Findings indicate that students receiving lenient grading, where teachers assign higher grades than warranted by standardized test scores, are less likely to succeed in subsequent courses and achieve lower test scores. The report states: "Our results are consistent with the idea that grades act as a strong incentive for learning." In Maryland, students impacted by grade inflation were less likely to attend college or secure employment, resulting in an estimated loss of $160,000 in lifetime earnings for every 0.2-point increase on a 4.0 grading scale. This trend highlights the growing concern over the relationship between rising grades and declining standardized test performance.

School cameras aid immigration searches

An investigation says police are using school district security cameras in a national license plate reader database to support immigration enforcement linked to President Trump’s campaign. Texas districts contracting with Flock Safety generate audit logs showing nationwide searches, including immigration tags, querying school cameras. Officials in several agencies acknowledged assisting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with one saying, “we will assist them — no questions asked.” The reporting raises concerns that campus surveillance bought for safety is being repurposed, that districts may not know how broadly data is shared, and that guardrails are unclear.

Teachers battle social media misinformation

Teachers across the U.S. are increasingly addressing misinformation from social media in their classrooms, according to a national survey conducted by K12. The survey revealed that 67% of teachers have had to "un-teach" incorrect information students learned online, with over 49% stating this happens frequently. As digital content becomes more prevalent in education, teachers are tasked with correcting misleading details while maintaining traditional instruction. The survey also found that 73% of parents reported their children watch educational videos online, with 89% noting improved grades. However, 57% of teachers believe that online videos are both beneficial and detrimental to student learning.

TECHNOLOGY

Instagram chief stands by approach to youth mental health

Instagram head Adam Mosseri has defended the platform’s product decisions at a Los Angeles trial alleging “social media addiction” and youth mental-health harms. A plaintiff who began using Instagram at age nine says Meta and YouTube profited by attracting children despite known risks, contributing to depression and body dysmorphia. Court emails showed internal debate about allowing face-altering filters. Mosseri said he sought balance, supporting allowing some filters without boosting them in recommendations. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is also expected to testify in the coming weeks.

FINANCE

Fort Bend ISD faces school closures

Fort Bend ISD is grappling with a $56m budget deficit, prompting discussions about closing seven elementary schools due to declining enrollment. District financial leaders indicated that these closures could save $5-$7m annually, which is only 0.07% of the budget, insufficient to eliminate the deficit. Fort Bend ISD chief financial officer Bryan Guinn explained that the process will likely unfold in two phases over two years to minimize disruption. The district aims to avoid cuts that affect classrooms, focusing instead on closures, not filling open positions, and making district-level adjustments. Parents are eager for clarity on how these changes will impact their families.

Gladewater ISD proposes bond measure to fund infrastructure repairs

Gladewater ISD voters will decide on May 2 whether to approve an $8.1m bond measure aimed at enhancing school infrastructure. The funds will support security upgrades, modernization of facilities, and the purchase of new school buses, ensuring compliance with new safety regulations. Importantly, the bond will not increase the current tax rate of 25.3336 cents per $100 of property valuation.

WORKFORCE

Georgetown teachers to earn more

High-performing teachers in Georgetown ISD may soon see a significant increase in their salaries due to the district's recent approval to join the Teacher Incentive Allotment program. This initiative, as stated by Wes Vanicek, GISD chief of construction and future readiness initiatives, aims to help educators achieve six-figure salaries through performance-based stipends. Starting in June, 197 teachers are expected to receive additional compensation ranging from $3,000 to $32,000 based on their effectiveness. The program will introduce new designations in the 2026-27 school year, allowing the top 50% of educators to earn $3,000-$9,000, while the top 5% could receive up to $36,000. Eligible teachers will be notified of their designations by April or May.

GOVERNANCE

Northwest ISD announces new principals

Northwest ISD has appointed three new principals for the 2026-2027 school year, including Shari Jones as the new leader of Seven Hills Elementary. Jones, who has been the principal at Bobby Joe Hill STEAM Academy in El Paso ISD for three years, emphasized her commitment to equipping students with critical thinking skills. Additionally, Hannah Garcia and Ashley Kahler will take on principal roles at Cox Elementary and Medlin Middle School, respectively.

Allen ISD's search for new superintendent

Allen ISD has engaged Texas-based law firm Thompson and Horton to lead the search for its next superintendent following the retirement announcement of Superintendent Robin Bullock at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

New superintendent takes the reins

The Shallowater ISD Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Aron Strickland as its new superintendent.

DISTRICTS

Fort Bend ISD boundary survey reveals mixed feelings

Fort Bend ISD conducted a boundary survey revealing that nearly half of respondents were neutral regarding potential elementary school closures. Chief of Organizational Development Stephanie Williams stated that 49% of all stakeholders expressed neutrality, while 34% opposed the closures. Among those directly affected, opposition rose to 49%. The survey, which gathered over 13,000 responses, included write-in questions that highlighted concerns about student impact, transportation, and community integrity. 

Fort Worth schools set the standard

Two elementary schools in Fort Worth ISD, Alice Contreras and Cesar Chavez, are leading the way in academic performance, particularly in reading and math, despite serving over 90% economically disadvantaged students. According to Leila Santillán, chief operating officer of the Fort Worth Education Partnership: “Bright-spot campuses are incredibly intentional about how they bring together all of the important ingredients.” Alice Contreras saw a growth of over 30 percentage points in reading proficiency, while Cesar Chavez experienced a 25 percentage point increase in the same area from 2024 to 2025.

Denton plans virtual learning comeback

Denton ISD officials are working to reinstate a virtual learning option called Denton Digital, which will provide K-12 students with full-time or single-course online learning opportunities. The previous Virtual Academy for K-8 students was discontinued after the 2022-23 school year due to stagnant state funding. The program will allow less than 50% of a campus to enroll in virtual instruction, unlike virtual campuses that require a higher enrollment.

Cy-Fair ISD restores deleted science chapters

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Cy-Fair ISD will reintegrate previously removed chapters from science textbooks, following a board vote. Board President Julie Hinaman introduced the item, which allows the use of all adopted textbook material while ensuring it meets community standards. The decision passed with a 4-3 vote, with dissenting trustees expressing concerns over the inclusion of controversial topics.

Frisco ISD shines with AP honors

For the second consecutive year, every Frisco ISD high school has been recognized on the AP School Honor Roll, achieving either gold or silver status. The Advanced Placement School Honor Roll acknowledges schools that demonstrate effective AP programs while increasing student access. Frisco ISD offers a total of 33 AP courses, including the AP Capstone Diploma and related exams. Jack Hintze, a reporter for Star Local Media, highlighted this achievement, emphasizing the district's commitment to educational excellence.

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SAFETY AND SECURITY

Killeen ISD's board approves grant for shields

Killeen ISD's board of trustees has approved a resolution to apply for the Active Attack Response Equipment Grant, aiming to acquire ballistic shields for the KISD Police Department. The grant, funded by the Governor's Office, allocates $15m for the fiscal year 2027 to support law enforcement agencies. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

U.S. colleges report over $5bn in foreign funding in 2025

U.S. colleges and universities received more than $5bn in reportable foreign gifts and contracts in 2025, according to newly released data from the Department of Education. The information, published on a new federal transparency website, is part of the Trump administration’s effort to increase scrutiny of foreign influence in higher education. Qatar was the largest source of funding, contributing about $1.1bn—over 20% of the total—followed by the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland and Japan. Major recipients included Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, MIT and Stanford University. Federal law requires schools to report foreign gifts or contracts exceeding $250,000, though concerns about underreporting have prompted calls for stronger oversight. The administration has launched investigations into some institutions over compliance issues. Supporters of the transparency push say the data provides needed insight into foreign ties, particularly involving countries such as China, Russia and Iran. However, university representatives argue that institutions comply with reporting requirements and caution that the data lacks context, such as long-term trends or detailed explanations of funding sources.

 
NPR

INTERNATIONAL

Manitoba teachers say 3.5% funding increase not enough to ease pressures

Manitoba has announced a 3.5% increase in school funding for the 2026–27 year, committing C$79.8m ($58.8m) in new money, including C$51m for operating costs and C$11.4m to help divisions manage the impact of teacher salary harmonization. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt said the increase is above the province’s annual inflation rate and is intended to address uneven cost pressures across school divisions. School boards and teachers’ representatives, however, say the funding boost is insufficient to meet rising costs. The Manitoba Teachers’ Society said the increase does little to address years of underfunding, as schools face larger and more complex classrooms. Several divisions warned that salary increases alone exceed the new funding, forcing difficult budget choices and raising the likelihood of higher property taxes.
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