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The Texas Education Agency is taking over two Fort Worth-area school districts due to poor accountability ratings, primarily based on STAAR test results. Raise Your Hand Texas, an advocacy group, is conducting workshops to highlight the limitations of the current A-F rating system. During a recent workshop, Chris Robey, regional advocacy director, emphasized: "We can't help where we are from and where we are born." The group aims to encourage a broader evaluation of student success beyond standardized tests, advocating for a more holistic approach that includes fine arts and extracurricular activities. With the STAAR testing system set to be replaced in 2027-28, concerns remain about the reliance on standardized assessments. Raise Your Hand Texas estimates that 45 districts could face state takeovers if accountability ratings do not improve. Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, senior director of strategic communications, said: "The success of our schools is more complex than standardized testing."

 

Star-Telegram

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A New Hampshire federal judge has formally dismissed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s directive targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in public schools, after both sides agreed the case was no longer necessary. The lawsuit stemmed from a February 2025 “Dear Colleague Letter” issued by the U.S. Department of Education, which warned school districts that DEI-related policies or contracts could violate federal civil rights laws and risk the loss of federal funding. The letter prompted concern among school officials nationwide and led New Hampshire districts to review contracts for potential violations. The National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, along with several New Hampshire school districts, sued the administration, arguing the directive was unconstitutional. The plaintiffs secured early court victories, including a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement in New Hampshire. Similar rulings in other jurisdictions further weakened the policy. In early February, the Department of Education agreed it would no longer rely on or enforce the challenged actions, leading Judge Landya McCafferty on Wednesday to dismiss the case as moot. Plaintiffs welcomed the decision, saying it protects educators’ ability to teach subjects involving race, gender, and inclusion without fear of federal penalties.

 

New Hampshire Bulletin

UPI

The state takeover of South San Antonio ISD has led to significant turmoil among educators and students. Critics argue that the intervention has worsened conditions, with former teacher Ruben Garcia stating, "What I want to make clear is the current leadership has made things so much worse." A recent survey revealed that only 3% of teachers felt morale had improved since the takeover, while 71% considered leaving the profession. The Texas Education Agency's micromanagement has been a major concern, with teachers reporting a lack of planning time and constant rule changes.

 

San Antonio Current

Houston ISD leaders are advancing a plan to have non-profit organizations manage four high-performing schools: Challenge Early College High School, Energy Institute High School, Houston Academy for International Studies, and Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Concerns have been raised about potential oversight issues and the risk of widening the performance gap between schools. The district's board has approved the partnerships, pending further approval from the Texas Education Agency.

 

KTRK-TV

Humble ISD trustees have approved targeted improvement plans for six campuses that received consecutive "D" ratings from the Texas Education Agency's A-F accountability ratings. HISD Director of Accountability Sherita Wilson-Rodgers presented the plans during the board's February 17 meeting, emphasizing that these strategies are essential for schools with three years of "D" ratings. "The [targeted improvement plans are] grounded in an effective schools' framework, and at the center of the framework is effective instruction," Wilson-Rodgers said. The plans focus on analyzing student data to identify achievement gaps and provide tailored instruction. Additional training for teachers and leadership will be prioritized to ensure student success. Principals from the affected schools, including Jerrell Barron of Humble Middle School, expressed commitment to implementing changes,  noting: "We're believers that when we see an error, we're not going to continue with that error." Real-time data collection will help assess the effectiveness of these strategies.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Killeen ISD's Board of Trustees recently voted against adopting a resolution to allow prayer and the reading of religious texts in schools, as mandated by Senate Bill 11. Karen Rudolph, the district's head spokeswoman, stated that the law requires school boards to make a decision by March 1, 2026. “Participation would require written parental consent for students and written consent from employees,” Rudolph said. The board's decision aimed to uphold the religious freedoms of all students and staff.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Wimberley ISD's Board of Trustees has decided against adopting Senate Bill (SB) 11, which would have established a Daily Prayer Period in schools. The bill allows districts to opt in for the 2025-26 school year but does not mandate participation. Jason Valentine, the district’s assistant superintendent, highlighted potential issues, including peer pressure and administrative challenges. He noted, “We have found that some school districts offered an alternative resolution acknowledging what rights already exist in schools.” A letter from over 160 Texas faith leaders urged school boards to reject SB 11, stating, “Requiring families to opt into a system that already protects their children's religious rights at school distracts from a school's mission of educating children.” The board ultimately voted 6-0 to approve a resolution affirming existing rights to pray in school.

 

Hays Free Press

Georgetown ISD (GISD) has approved new attendance zones affecting Wolf Ranch Elementary students, who will be reassigned to Frost and San Gabriel elementaries this fall. Chief of Strategic Operations Lannon Heflin stated that the rezoning aims to alleviate overcrowding at Wolf Ranch, which currently exceeds its capacity of 850 students with 947 enrolled. The changes will increase San Gabriel's enrollment by about 150 students and Frost's by nearly 100. Families will be notified of their new school assignments before spring break, and transfer applications will be available for those wishing to remain at their current schools.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

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San Antonio ISD (SAISD) is considering converting more neighborhood schools into in-district charter campuses to enhance academic performance and enrollment. Currently, SAISD leads Texas with 26 in-district charter schools, operating under Senate Bill 1882, which incentivizes partnerships with charter operators. Trustees have initiated discussions with potential partners, including Third Future Schools, founded by Mike Miles, a controversial figure in education. Concerns have been raised by Alejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel, regarding Third Future's reliability, citing its early exit from a contract with Beaumont ISD. "This kind of behavior does not inspire confidence," Lopez said. The district's student population has declined by 30% since 1998, prompting the need for innovative solutions to improve accountability ratings and stabilize enrollment.

 

Star-Telegram

On February 10, 2026, students from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas participated in a nationwide protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. Sixteen-year-old Paola Ramirez, who joined the walkout, emphasized the importance of free speech, stating, “We are part of ‘We, the People,' too.” In response to these protests, Texas officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, have threatened sanctions against students and schools, raising concerns about the infringement of First Amendment rights. Legal experts, like Caro Achar from the ACLU of Texas, warned that these threats represent an “immediate chilling of student speech.” The ongoing debate over students' rights to protest highlights the tension between free expression and state authority in educational settings.

 

Dallas News

Texarkana Gazette

A recent study from UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that sports-related concussions are significantly underreported in lower-income and urban school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The research, published in Sage Open Pediatrics, analyzed over 6,300 concussion cases from August 2021 to May 2023. It found that urban districts, such as Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD, reported fewer concussions compared to their higher-income suburban counterparts, despite having more student athletes. Dr. Mathew Stokes, co-author of the study, clarified: "Concussions are a major issue, with an estimated 15% of school athletes experiencing a concussion." The study highlights the need for improved awareness and resources in lower-resourced districts to ensure timely recognition and treatment of concussions, which can lead to long-term health issues if left unaddressed.

 

Dallas News

Teacher unions, student representatives, and civil liberties advocates say Ontario’s recent takeover of seven school boards is a distraction from years of chronic underfunding in public education. At a news conference at Queen’s Park earlier this week, representatives from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association argued that provincial supervision does not address staffing shortages, larger class sizes, or the financial pressures facing schools. They cited estimates that public education has been underfunded by C$6.3bn ($4.6bn) since 2018. Education Minister Paul Calandra has defended the interventions, saying the province stepped in over financial mismanagement and to protect classroom resources. He has also signaled he may eliminate elected school board trustees entirely in favour of provincial supervisors. Critics say the moves undermine democratic governance and silence student and parent voices, with some student trustees reporting limited access to provincially appointed supervisors.

 

CBC News