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Texas
9th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas schools embrace Christian teachings

The Texas State Board of Education is set to vote on revised social studies standards that emphasize Christian teachings alongside American history. Critics argue this approach presents an incomplete view of the nation's diverse history, potentially sidelining other religious traditions. Board member Tiffany Clark, D-DeSoto, emphasized that public schools should serve all students, stating: "My faith does not need government endorsement to stand." The proposed standards include biblical figures and stories, reflecting a push for more Christian content in education. Supporters, like Mandy Drogin from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, argue that understanding Christianity's role is essential for grasping American history. However, concerns persist about the potential exclusion of other faiths and the impact on students from diverse backgrounds, as expressed by student Iniya Nandakumar, who noted, "Public schools are meant to serve every student equally." The board's meeting is scheduled for June 22-26 in Austin.

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STATE NEWS

Hinojosa fights for Texas schools

Rep. Gina Hinojosa, an Austin Democrat running for governor, is prioritizing public education in her campaign. She advocates against school closures and state takeovers, saying: "We fight for our public schools because they are essential to the American dream." Hinojosa's education platform includes revising how Texas evaluates schools and removing Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. She aims to return control of struggling districts to local communities, emphasizing that taking power away from parents is not the solution. With multiple districts facing budget cuts and potential takeovers, Hinojosa's campaign seeks to protect neighborhood schools and support teachers and parents. Her opponent, Gov. Greg Abbott, has also focused on education, promoting the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program and celebrating recent school takeovers.

NATIONAL NEWS

Teachers say AI will transform education more than the internet

Nearly three-quarters of K-12 teachers believe artificial intelligence (AI) will have a greater impact on education than the internet or personal computers, according to a new NPR/Ipsos survey, underscoring how quickly the technology is reshaping classrooms. While 60% of teachers reported using AI for work-related tasks such as lesson planning, assessments, and professional development, many expressed concerns about its effect on learning. More than half said AI makes it harder for students to develop critical thinking skills, while 55% view it primarily as a shortcut that helps students avoid doing their own work. The survey also found that nearly six in 10 teachers believe AI is eroding trust between students and educators, leading some schools to require more handwritten assignments and in-class work. At the same time, almost 80% of teachers said schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly, recognizing that the technology is likely to become a permanent part of education. 

 
NPR

DISTRICTS

Fort Worth ISD students excel in readiness

Fort Worth ISD has reported a significant increase in college, career, and military readiness among its students, with the latest data from the Texas Education Agency showing a rise from 81.1% in 2022-23 to 86.1% in 2023-24. This surpasses the state average of 81.8%. Superintendent Peter Licata emphasized the need to “start from square one” to rebuild support systems for students after staff cuts were made due to declining enrollment. Despite these improvements, challenges remain, particularly in English proficiency, where only 11% of students met grade-level expectations on the English II STAAR exam.

New proposals sought for revamping Farrington Field

Fort Worth ISD is reopening its search for developers to enhance the land around Farrington Field. The district issued a new request for proposals, inviting developers to submit plans for the surrounding tracts. Superintendent Peter Licata emphasized the importance of community input, stating: “We realized that this decision needs to be made with a lot more information and openness.” The district reassured residents that Farrington Field itself is not for sale and has no plans to dispose of the historic stadium. The request also raises questions about the district's potential involvement in the tax increment finance zone aimed at funding upgrades. Seven tracts are available for proposals, including one that requires preservation of the Jack A. Billingsley Field House's legacy. The initial request sought a mixed-use, sports-anchored development, but the new one does not specify a purpose.

Hutto ISD welcomes new trustees

Hutto ISD recently welcomed April Adams and Felix Chavez to its board of trustees following the May election. Adams is a first-time trustee, while Chavez begins his third term. This change comes as trustee Shara Turner retires after two terms. Additionally, Hutto High School renovations are on track for completion by November. The district also approved additional stipends for special education and police department positions to help retain qualified staff.

HISD's class of 2026 shines bright

Houston ISD's Class of 2026 has made headlines through their remarkable achievements, overcoming personal and systemic challenges during the district's state takeover. Lester Camacho, who arrived from Honduras with a language barrier and a medical condition, graduated as salutatorian from Challenge Early College High School, earning over $341m in scholarships. He plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin to develop medicines for blood disorders.

Katy ISD revamps graduation schedule

Katy ISD is set to modify its high school graduation schedule for 2027, utilizing both Rhodes Stadium and Legacy Stadium for ceremonies. This change, prompted by the addition of a new high school, will allow for two ceremonies each night over five evenings, starting from May 26, 2027, the last day of school. The adjustments aim to enhance opportunities for family gatherings and celebrations. "These changes will offer opportunities for travel, family gatherings and graduation celebrations," the district stated in a letter to parents. Future graduation schedules will continue to rotate venues, maintaining Katy ISD's established practices.

Justiss Elementary scores big in attendance

Students at Justiss Elementary celebrated a successful school year by achieving the highest attendance percentage in the Paris ISD during a district-wide attendance challenge. The initiative, led by Paris ISD Superintendent Althea Dixon, aimed to motivate students to attend school regularly.

FINANCE

Budget battles heat up in Alvin

Alvin ISD and Pearland ISD trustees are set to hold separate meetings today to discuss their budgets for the fiscal year 2026-27. Both districts will conduct public hearings to gather community feedback on the proposed budgets and tax rates. Alvin ISD anticipates a flat operating budget of approximately $391.4m, as stated by chief financial officer Daniel Combs, due to slower enrollment growth. Meanwhile, Pearland ISD projects around $231m in revenue and nearly $229m in expenses, with payroll being the largest expense at $191.02m, accounting for about 83% of revenue. The preliminary tax rate for Alvin ISD is projected at $1.1403 per $100 valuation, while Pearland ISD's rate remains unchanged at $1.135.

Custodial fees rise for RISD users

Richardson ISD is set to raise custodial fees for organizations leasing district facilities from $20 to $30 per hour, effective in fiscal year 2026-27. Mike Jasso, assistant superintendent of district operations, mentioned that this change aims to cover costs rather than generate revenue, stating: “If we're going to have custodians there, we need to be able to cover the costs.” The district will also transition to the PracticePlan platform for facility rentals, which will streamline the leasing process at no cost to the district. Superintendent Tabitha Branum noted that the fee increase is part of a broader effort to balance the budget and reduce overtime costs.

GOVERNANCE

New leadership at Argyle ISD

Dona Lumsden has been appointed as the new principal of Argyle High School, while Coby Pelt will take over as principal of Argyle Middle School. Lumsden, who has over 20 years of experience in public education, replaces Shannon Knowles, who will now lead Flower Mound High School. Argyle ISD Superintendent Courtney Carpenter praised Lumsden's commitment to students and staff. Pelt, previously the assistant principal at Argyle Middle, said: “I look forward to continuing to support our students and staff.” These changes come as Argyle ISD undergoes a leadership transition, including the appointment of a new board member.

New principal joins Laneville ISD

Laneville ISD has announced the appointment of Rebecca “Becky” Lanham as the new principal. LaTara Robinson, the current principal, will transition to a crucial curriculum support role, overseeing the district's shift to the Bluebonnet curriculum, which qualifies for a Texas Education Agency (TEA) grant of up to $435,000. Robinson will also lead the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, potentially increasing educator salaries based on student growth. 

CYBERSECURITY

FTC mandates cybersecurity overhaul for school software provider Illuminate

The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an order requiring K-12 software provider Illuminate Education to strengthen its cybersecurity practices following a 2021 data breach that exposed the personal information of approximately 10.1m current and former students across multiple school districts, including New York City’s public school system. The FTC alleged that Illuminate failed to implement reasonable security measures, ignored warnings about vulnerabilities dating back to 2020, and allowed a hacker to access student data using credentials belonging to a former employee. Exposed information included email and mailing addresses, dates of birth, student records, and health-related data. The agency also claimed some school districts were not informed of the breach until nearly two years later. Under the order, Illuminate must establish a comprehensive data security program, limit the collection and retention of personal information, delete unnecessary data, publish a data retention schedule, and adopt data minimization practices.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Free summer meals for kids!

Round Rock ISD is set to provide free meals to children under 18 this summer at various campuses through a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program. Under the Texas Summer Meals program, no ID is required for children to receive meals, which can also be offered to individuals with disabilities under 21.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

More than half of teacher-training programs now earn top reading instruction grade

A growing number of U.S. teacher-preparation programs are aligning with science-of-reading principles, according to a new National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) review. The share of programs earning an A grade more than doubled to 53% from 26% in 2023, while the proportion receiving an F fell to less than a quarter. The report found that most programs now provide instruction and practice in the five core components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Despite the progress, around one in five programs still teach outdated methods such as “three-cueing,” which encourages students to rely on pictures and context rather than phonics to decode words. The review also found significant gaps in preparing teachers to support English language learners and struggling readers, with only 16% of programs providing practical training for teaching English learners to read. State-led science-of-reading reforms appear to be driving improvements, particularly in states such as Ohio and Indiana, where stricter accountability measures have prompted universities to update curricula and remove legacy teaching practices.

HIGHER EDUCATION

More U.S. medical schools add nutrition training requirements

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said 19 additional medical schools have pledged to require at least 40 hours of nutrition education, or an equivalent competency requirement, for students starting in fall 2026. The new commitments bring the total number of participating medical schools to 73, following 54 earlier pledges under the Trump administration’s nutrition education initiative. Schools joining the effort include Florida Atlantic University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Massachusetts. HHS and the Department of Education also said eight medical accrediting, testing, and board organizations have committed to strengthening nutrition training across medical education, exams, and residency programs.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico City teachers strike ahead of World Cup

Thousands of teachers in Mexico City are continuing their protests, blocking streets and maintaining an encampment just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) is demanding higher wages and pension reforms, stating they will continue their strike indefinitely. President Claudia Sheinbaum remarked, "There are groups that want to provoke the Mexican government and are not necessarily teachers," emphasizing the need for patience as negotiations are ongoing. The protests are affecting tourism and local businesses, with the World Cup expected to generate $3bn in economic activity. Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez urged teachers to end the protests, which are impacting students and the city's economy.

Winnipeg school defends educational use of AI amid proposed restrictions

Students and educators at Winnipeg’s General Wolfe School have raised concerns about Manitoba’s proposed ban on social media and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for children under 16, arguing that educational AI tools can play a valuable role in learning when used responsibly. The province is considering the restrictions due to concerns that social media and AI chatbots are addictive and may contribute to mental health harms among young people. However, students interviewed by CBC said chatbots help with schoolwork, idea generation, and language learning, particularly for those from immigrant families whose parents may be less able to assist with assignments. Grade 7 STEM teacher Donovan Ponce said AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a substitute for human interaction or critical thinking. He supports teaching students how to use AI responsibly and believes educational applications should be distinguished from chatbot platforms designed to simulate relationships or social connections. Premier Wab Kinew said the province remains open to educational AI systems if they can operate in a secure environment controlled by schools or government institutions, with data remaining within Manitoba.
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