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Texas
21st May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

School choice faces religious fault lines

Education Week examines how Texas’ new Education Freedom Accounts program exposed a conflict within the private school choice movement over religious access to public funds. Texas initially excluded Islamic schools after officials objected to their accreditor’s ties to CAIR, then reversed course while lawsuits continued. Florida has passed a related measure barring private schools from affiliating with state-designated terrorist groups. Matthew Ladner, senior adviser for K-12 policy implementation at the Heritage Foundation, said: “It is absolutely a bedrock value of the school choice movement to embrace a pluralistic system of schools and tolerance.” Advocates warned that lightly regulated choice programs give states limited control over participating schools, while critics and scholars linked current debates to older disputes over public funding for religious education.

TEXAS COMPLIANCE GUIDE

Stay Ahead of Texas Training Requirements

Keeping up with Texas compliance mandates can be complex, and gaps can put districts at risk. This Texas compliance guide breaks down critical requirements, from bloodborne pathogens to suicide prevention, so districts can quickly identify gaps, align training, and stay audit-ready.

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STATE NEWS

Early voting starts for SBOE seat

Early voting has commenced for the Democratic runoff for the Texas State Board of Education District 5 seat, which oversees educational standards and charter school approvals. Candidates Allison Bush and Stephanie Limon Bazan emerged from a six-way race and will compete for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican Mica Arellano in November. Both candidates stress the importance of historically accurate curriculum, with Bush stating that the SBOE has become "too political" and is influenced by "Christian nationalists." Limon Bazan expressed concern over financial incentives for adopting state-backed curriculum, saying: "I'm not happy with how we are essentially forcing a style of curriculum on our educators." The runoff is crucial as the SBOE revises the state's social studies curriculum, emphasizing Texas history.

NATIONAL NEWS

RFK Jr. backs school screen time restrictions and nutrition reforms

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a new surgeon general’s advisory warning about the harms of excessive screen time for children while visiting Iowa for the signing of the state’s “Make America Healthy Again” legislation. The advisory encourages schools and families to limit cellphone and screen use among children, citing concerns about mental health, physical health, academic performance, and social development. Kennedy praised Iowa’s existing cellphone restrictions in schools and called for similar policies nationwide. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also signed a broad health-focused law that limits digital instruction for K-5 students to one hour per day, bans certain food dyes and additives in school meals, expands physical activity requirements, and seeks tighter restrictions on SNAP purchases of unhealthy foods. The law additionally requires more nutrition training for medical students and allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin over the counter. Kennedy described Iowa’s actions as an example of “bold public health leadership” focused on prevention, nutrition, and healthier lifestyles.

DISTRICTS

Houston schools face uncertain future

As the school year concludes, several Houston-area school districts, including Pasadena ISD, are announcing campus closures due to declining enrollment and financial pressures. "We are heartbroken, we are not happy about this situation," said Delta Madena, a parent at McMasters Elementary School. The trend is not isolated to Pasadena; other districts like Houston ISD and Aldine ISD are also closing schools, with Aldine losing 4,000 students last summer alone. Adrian Bustillo from Aldine ISD noted: "We are graduating more kids than are actually entering our system today." The closures reflect a nationwide trend of shrinking student populations and increasing financial constraints, leading to significant funding losses for districts. Bustillo emphasized the necessity of "right-sizing" districts to maintain services and programming for students.

Fort Bend ISD enrollment trends revealed

Fort Bend ISD's enrollment is stabilizing, with demographic shifts noted by Stacey Tepera, president of Population and Survey Analysts. Over the past decade, the district gained 5,035 students, but only 25% enrolled in the last five years. Factors contributing to lower enrollment include fewer new homes and the smallest kindergarten class in 18 years. Transfers to charter schools have increased, with nearly 500 more residents opting for them in the 2025-26 school year. Tepera mentioned that the district is exploring geofencing technology to assess the impact of homeschooling, as Texas does not require registration for homeschoolers. Looking ahead, projected enrollment in the next decade could range from 60,485 to 78,078, depending on various factors like housing and birth rates.

Fort Worth ISD renames school amid controversy

Fort Worth ISD has unanimously voted to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary School to Esperanza Elementary School, distancing itself from the civil rights activist amid allegations of misconduct. The decision was made during a board meeting where members discussed the appropriateness of the new name. Luis A. Galindo, a Texas Education Agency appointee, emphasized that "the word Esperanza means ‘Hope,' we're naming an elementary school ‘Hope,' that's not a fictional character." The renaming follows a New York Times investigation revealing serious allegations against Chavez, prompting the district to amend its naming policies.

Boerne ISD shines with leadership awards

Boerne ISD has announced that four of its elementary school student leadership teams have received the prestigious 2025-2026 Student Leadership Awards from the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). Out of numerous applications statewide, only 167 teams were selected, with Boerne ISD achieving remarkable representation. The honored schools—Cibolo Creek Elementary, Curington Elementary, Fabra Elementary, and Herff Elementary—were recognized for their commitment to service, leadership, and citizenship through various initiatives, including literacy programs and community service projects.

FINANCE

El Paso ISD faces $52.8m deficit

El Paso ISD is currently facing a significant financial challenge, with a projected deficit of $52.8m. During a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Superintendent Brian Lusk emphasized the need for sustainable financial practices, stating: “The goal is not simply to balance a budget for one year.” The district's financial shortfall is attributed to rising operational costs, declining enrollment-related funding, and insufficient financial systems. To address these issues, EPISD is implementing immediate and long-term strategies, which may include budget cuts and potential layoffs. The district is also collaborating with MoakCasey, a public school consulting firm, to explore declaring financial exigency, a move akin to bankruptcy for educational institutions.   

Budget blues: Bryan ISD faces deficit

After months of financial planning, Bryan ISD leaders are preparing for a budget with a projected $3.1m deficit due to declining student enrollment and rising operational costs. Chief financial officer Norma Friddle stated: “Any loss of children is a loss of money,” highlighting the impact of losing over 300 students, which translates to a revenue loss of approximately $3m. Despite these challenges, Friddle emphasized that the district does not view the situation as a long-term crisis, noting, “I don't think that it is [a long-term issue].” The district is exploring options to improve attendance and considering a possible voter-approval tax rate election to address funding needs. 

GOVERNANCE

New Fort Worth superintendent's salary revealed

Fort Worth ISD's new state-appointed superintendent, Dr. Licata, will earn a base salary of $360,000 annually, as confirmed by a unanimous 9-0 vote from the Board of Managers. Board member Frost Prioleau expressed confidence in the contract, stating, “I wholly and strongly believe that ratifying this contract... will have strongly positive impacts on the students of Fort Worth ISD.” Dr. Licata, appointed by the Texas Education Agency during a state takeover, will also receive a $1,000 car allowance and medical insurance for his family. His salary will increase starting July 1, 2027, based on the highest percentage raise given to district teachers. Licata's performance will be reviewed annually, ensuring accountability in his role.

New trustees sworn in at Taylor ISD

During the latest meeting of the Taylor ISD board, new trustee Rachael Westerman and incumbent Vice President Shorty Mitchell were sworn in. The meeting also honored outgoing Mayor Jim Buzan for his service on the board, with President Marco Ortiz stating: “He’s mentored our students, he’s helped our students.” The board recognized long-serving trustees Anita Volek and Cheryl Carter for their contributions. Chief financial officer Jina Self discussed the district's financial stewardship and the upcoming budget adoption in June, noting an $8m swing in values related to the Texas Tax Code Chapter 313 agreement.

WORKFORCE

Runge ISD boosts teacher pay

Runge ISD has approved a new compensation plan aimed at enhancing its competitiveness as an employer in South Texas. Interim Superintendent Dr. Dino Coronado announced that starting teacher salaries will increase to $48,500, with new hires eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus. Additionally, the district will cover 100% of healthcare premiums for all full-time employees, a move designed to attract and retain staff.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Midland High construction updates revealed

Midland ISD has provided updates on the construction of Midland Lee High School and Midland High School campuses. Midland Lee High is currently 31% complete, ahead of schedule, with glass installation and utility work ongoing. The topping-out ceremony is anticipated in June. In contrast, Midland High is 17% complete and on schedule, with utility and site work in progress. Contractor Lee Lewis stated that pipeline relocation by Energy Transfer will not impact the overall project timeline, with a topping-out ceremony expected in July.

NUTRITION

Killeen ISD wins excellence award

Killeen ISD's School Nutrition Department has been honored with a “District of Excellence” award for its innovative approach to providing nutritious meals. The district has expanded its Supper Program, now serving over 33,600 meals weekly across 49 campuses, with about 6,720 students participating daily. Anisah Brown, director of school nutrition, emphasized the initiative's goal to "remove barriers to food access and create greater equity for students and families." The program's success is attributed to a strategic, campus-by-campus approach that considers dismissal times and transportation routes.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Bastrop ISD bus fleet upgrade complete

Bastrop ISD is set to complete the upgrade of its 126-bus fleet with enhanced seat belts, with the final four buses scheduled for replacement this summer. During a trustee meeting on May 12, Lee Raspberry, BISD Director of Construction and Planning, confirmed that the remaining buses will be replaced by Gold Star Transit before the 2026-27 school year. This upgrade ensures compliance with Senate Bill 546, which mandates that all Texas school buses must have three-point seat belts by September 1, 2029. Evan Moilan, BISD Executive Director of Communications, stated that the fleet will consist of 122 buses equipped with four-point harnesses and 4 buses with three-point harnesses.

LEGAL

Democratic states sue Education Department over nursing loan policy

A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia has sued the U.S. Department of Education over changes that limit federal student loans for nursing degrees, arguing the policy could worsen healthcare worker shortages. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, claims Education Secretary Linda McMahon exceeded her authority by refusing to classify nursing as a professional degree, a designation that would allow graduate nursing students to access higher federal loan limits. Under the new policy, nursing students pursuing graduate degrees would face the lower federal borrowing cap for nonprofessional programs, despite the high cost of nursing education. According to the lawsuit, an entry-level Master of Science in nursing program costs about $77,155 per year, compared with the federal loan cap of $20,500. The states also challenged the Education Department’s implementation of grandfathering provisions for current students, arguing it is unlawful to remove protections from students who transfer schools or temporarily withdraw and later re-enroll. Democratic attorneys general and governors involved in the lawsuit said the restrictions could discourage students from entering the nursing profession or force them to rely on more expensive private loans.

PERFORMING ARTS

Disney brings musicals to Houston schools

Disney and Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) have partnered to bring musical theatre to four under-resourced elementary schools in Houston. As part of the Disney Musicals in Schools initiative, Savannah Lakes, Roderick Paige, James Ross, and Cimarron Elementaries received performance rights and support from teaching artists. "The beauty about this program is that it's a very specific way that we teach how to bring a musical from inception to the grand stage," said Adavion Wayne, Director of Education at TUTS. Students have been rehearsing for 18 weeks, culminating in a performance of The Lion King KIDS at Houston's Hobby Center.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Harvard moves to curb grade inflation with new A-grade cap

Harvard University has voted to cap the number of A grades awarded in undergraduate courses as part of an effort to combat grade inflation and preserve academic standards. The new policy limits A grades to 20% per course, with a small allowance for additional A’s in smaller classes, and will take effect in fall 2027 after strong student backlash prompted a delay. University officials said the changes are needed after A grades rose to about 60% of all grades in 2024–25, compared with roughly 25% two decades ago. Harvard will also replace GPA with percentile rankings for academic honors because grade compression has made distinctions harder to measure.

INTERNATIONAL

Calgary schools face mounting disruption as substitute teacher shortages worsen

A growing shortage of substitute teachers across Alberta is leaving schools struggling to cover classes, with Calgary’s public school system now unable to fill roughly 200 teaching absences per day. The Calgary Board of Education said around 20% of substitute teaching jobs went unfilled in April, up from 16% a year earlier, forcing schools to combine classes, reassign principals, cancel teacher prep time, and rely on educational assistants to supervise students. Teachers said the shortages are contributing to burnout, with many reluctant to take sick leave because replacements are unlikely to be found at short notice. The Alberta Teachers’ Association said the problem intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many substitute teachers left the profession permanently, while growing demand for teachers across the province has further strained staffing levels. The province has recently committed funding to hire nearly 1,900 additional teachers through new complexity teams and class-size reduction initiatives, alongside plans to fast-track teacher certification for internationally trained educators and skilled professionals.

China's Education Ministry promotes play-based learning over early tech exposure

China’s Ministry of Education has urged parents and schools to avoid relying on “digital babysitting” and instead prioritize play, companionship, sports, and outdoor activities for young children, as part of a nationwide push to strengthen preschool education practices. The ministry launched its 2026 national preschool education publicity month on Tuesday, emphasizing that play should remain the primary activity in early childhood education. Officials said digital tools, including reading companions, chat-based applications, and interactive games, should not replace traditional picture books, toys, or direct human interaction. The ministry also warned kindergartens against using digital products to automatically generate child observation records or developmental assessments, citing concerns about the improper and excessive use of technology in preschool settings. The announcement comes as China continues expanding access to preschool education. In 2025, the country’s gross enrollment rate for the three years before primary school reached 92.9%, while affordable kindergarten coverage climbed to 91.5%. China’s Preschool Education Law officially took effect on June 1, 2025, and the country has also begun gradually rolling out free preschool education programs nationwide.
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