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Texas
24th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Asian teachers face hiring barriers

A February study suggests school hiring practices may be shaping the racial makeup of the U.S. teacher workforce by disadvantaging non-white candidates, especially Asian American applicants. Using data from more than 46,000 applications across districts and charter organizations between 2019 and 2024, researchers found Asian candidates were less likely to advance at every stage and ultimately received offers at about half the rate of other groups. Even after accounting for stronger credentials, including more experience and advanced degrees, disparities persisted. Dan Goldhaber, Director of the Center for Education Data & Research, said: “They look like better candidates on paper,” yet were still less likely to be hired, raising concerns about bias and structural barriers in teacher recruitment.

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STATE NEWS

Texas schools drop César Chávez

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has instructed public schools to revise lesson plans and cancel celebrations for César Chávez Day on March 31 due to recent sexual abuse allegations against the civil rights leader. The TEA's guidance follows a New York Times investigation revealing claims of sexual assault by Chávez. Teachers and labor groups are now reassessing his legacy, particularly as the current social studies curriculum mandates teaching about Chávez in fifth grade. However, the TEA noted that discussing Chávez may conflict with Texas Education Code, which prohibits teachers from addressing "widely debated and currently controversial issues." The State Board of Education is in the process of updating the social studies curriculum.

NATIONAL NEWS

Voters want limits on school activism

A recent poll by Noble Predictive Insights indicates that 58% of American voters support restrictions on political activism during K-12 school hours. The survey, conducted from March 2–5, 2026, included 2,659 registered voters and revealed that 39% believe schools should focus solely on academics. Mike Noble, founder of Noble Predictive Insights, said: “This activism issue seems like one of those no-brainer issues.” The poll highlights a significant divide along party lines, with 71% of Trump supporters favoring limits compared to only 35% of Biden supporters. Additionally, 69% of independents support some form of restrictions. Concerns about student safety and instructional time have led to increased activism, with 307 protests reported in 2026, up from 46 in 2025, according to Rhyen Staley, research director at Defending Education.

FINANCE

Iman Academy fights for fairness

Iman Academy, an Islamic private school in Houston, is advocating for inclusion in Texas' voucher program, which allows public funds for private education. Despite meeting all requirements, the school has faced exclusion due to unsubstantiated claims of ties to terrorism. The school emphasizes its commitment to American values, aiming to develop responsible citizens. While other Islamic schools have filed lawsuits against the state, Iman Academy has chosen a different path, focusing on proving its worth through its educational mission. School president Ahmed Zaqoot statedl "We call for being fair and just," highlighting the need for equitable treatment. 

DISTRICTS

Book ban sparks outrage

In New Braunfels the local school district has removed over 1,500 books from its libraries due to the controversial Senate Bill 13, which mandates the review of books for "profane" or "indecent" content. This includes memoirs by Barack Obama and Matthew McConaughey, as well as classic literature by William Shakespeare. Jonathan Friedman, managing director of U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America, said: “This overly aggressive removal of books — based on a vague law that should never have been passed in the first place — is undermining education and the freedom to read in Texas.” The district has implemented a review process using AI to flag non-compliant materials, raising concerns about censorship and educational integrity.

GOVERNANCE

New Braunfels ISD cancels election

New Braunfels ISD board of trustees has canceled its May 2 general election for single-member Districts 2 and 4, as both incumbents faced no opposition after their challengers withdrew. Nancy York in District 2 and John Tucker in District 4 will continue in their roles without contest. According to Section 2.052 of the Texas State Election Code, the board must certify unopposed candidates, which effectively cancels the election.

New Caney ISD promotes two leaders

Brittany Horton and Traci Towslee have been appointed as the new principals of West Fork High School and Bens Branch Elementary School, respectively, following their promotions approved by the New Caney ISD board on March 16. Horton, who has 14 years of educational experience, previously served as the assistant principal at Keefer Crossing Middle School. Towslee, with 16 years in education, steps into her new role after serving as the assistant principal for various grades at Bens Branch Elementary, succeeding Ruth Anderson.

WORKFORCE

Temple ISD recruitment drive

Temple ISD is actively seeking teachers and other professionals for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The district offers a starting salary of $54,096 along with various benefits, including training programs and student loan forgiveness.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Why schools are embracing third spaces for connection

Schools can play a critical role in replacing declining “third spaces”, informal social environments like parks or malls, by intentionally designing areas such as libraries, hallways, and commons to support students’ social and mental well-being. With rising loneliness among young people, these flexible, voluntary spaces can foster connection, improve academic outcomes, and provide low-pressure environments for interaction. To achieve this, designers are encouraged to create multifunctional, accessible environments that incorporate natural elements, comfortable “resimercial” materials, and inclusive layouts, while integrating smart systems and robust technology infrastructure. The goal is to transform underused school areas into adaptable community hubs that support collaboration, relaxation, and engagement, positioning schools as central spaces for both learning and social connection.

Groundbreaking for Galena Park facility

Galena Park ISD in Houston recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new $29.5m multi-purpose facility at North Shore High School. The facility aims to provide a safe and spacious environment for various activities, addressing heat-related issues faced by students in sports, dance, and band.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Klein ISD boosts security after incidents

Klein ISD has implemented new security measures following three gun-related incidents on its campuses. The incidents included a gun being fired at Klein Collins High School, a man with a gun entering Zwink Elementary, and a student displaying an unloaded gun at Klein High School. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. In response, the district has increased police presence, initiated random metal detector screenings, and enhanced K-9 unit searches. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

DOE portal to disclose foreign funding in universities

The U.S. Department of Education has introduced a new online portal requiring colleges and universities to disclose foreign funding, aiming to improve transparency and enforce compliance with federal reporting laws. The initiative, tied to Executive Order 14282, comes amid concerns over foreign influence in U.S. education, with $72.1bn in funding already disclosed across 559 institutions, including $5.2bn reported in 2025 alone. The department also released data showing more than 8,300 foreign funding transactions in 2025, with Qatar the largest source at $1.1bn, followed by countries including the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland, and Japan. Officials emphasized that institutions have a legal obligation to report foreign gifts exceeding $250,000, while critics have long argued that enforcement has been insufficient.

INTERNATIONAL

Victorian teachers and support staff launch first strike in 13 years amid pay dispute

Up to 35,000 teachers and education staff staged a 24-hour strike across the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday, rallying in Melbourne’s CBD and forcing around 500 public schools to close or significantly reduce operations in the first such action in 13 years. Organized by the Australian Education Union (AEU), the protest highlighted growing frustration over pay, workload, and staffing shortages, with some schools shut as entire teaching cohorts walked out. The strike comes amid protracted enterprise bargaining negotiations that began about eight months ago, with the union seeking a 35% pay increase over four years, smaller class sizes, and better classroom and mental health support. The Victorian government has offered an 18.5% increase, including an immediate 8% rise for teachers and 4% for support staff, followed by annual 3% increases and a 1.5% overtime allowance. It added that it had made efforts to avoid the strike and urged the union to prioritize minimizing disruption to students, noting that negotiations are ongoing.

AND FINALLY...

No “s” in sight: Homework mix-up misses the moms

A Reddit post featuring a schoolgirl's marked homework has gone viral, amassing over 20,000 upvotes in less than 24 hours. The post shows a journal entry where the word "moms" was corrected by a teacher, who struck through the "s," indicating a misunderstanding of the child's family structure. User JeweledApplePie said, “It's not a huge deal it's just, mildly infuriating." A 2024 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that 18% of LGBTQ adults, approximately 2.57m people, are parenting children under 18. The incident sparked a lively discussion, with many commenters urging understanding for the teacher's potential oversight, while others highlighted the broader implications of such mistakes on children from diverse family backgrounds.
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