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August 11, 2026
Gov. Greg Abbott meets with new Texas Classroom Commission to discuss public education

(CBS Austin) Gov. Greg Abbott met Monday with the newly appointed 22-member Texas Classroom Commission, which is charged with recommending ways to improve public education policy ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Abbott said the commission will focus on improving student performance in math and reading, retaining teachers and reducing classroom screen time, building on an $8 billion investment in public schools approved by lawmakers. Texas AFT President Zeph Capo expressed skepticism, saying teachers need better pay and working conditions and should have a greater voice in education policy. The commission will meet monthly and submit recommendations to lawmakers before the next legislative session.

Some private schools see rapid growth amid launch of Texas Education Freedom Accounts

(CBS Texas) Texas is entering a new era of education this school year with the launch of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), and some private schools in North Texas are already rapidly growing at an unprecedented pace.

How politics could show up in Texas classrooms this year and beyond, from Bible lessons to vouchers

(Houston Chronicle) From mandate Bible readings to Ten Commandments posters on the walls of Texas classrooms, here are the ways you might find politics and religion in your child’s education.

New Artificial Intelligence curriculum in some North Texas classrooms

(NBC DFW) The Uplift Education charter network is launching its first AI curriculum for 2026-27. See how the UT Dallas partnership aims to prepare students for the workforce.

Midland ISD trustee intervenes in case to remove county judge

(KOSA) Midland ISD Trustee Brandon Hodges has officially filed to intervene in the lawsuit seeking to remove Midland County Judge Terry Johnson from office. According to a press release, Hodges said he joined the case to prevent it from being dismissed on a technicality tied to District Attorney Glenn Harwood. The case centers on claims that Johnson posted a report on Facebook that exposed a Midland resident’s personal information.

Fort Worth STAAR performance hits record with high-poverty schools leading the way

(Fort Worth Report) Reading reached 48%, but no city council district had more than half of tested results meet grade level.

City View ISD school board censures member for shared closed-session recording

(KFDX) What started with a recording of a closed-door City View Independent School District board meeting ended Monday night with a vote to involve authorities. Board secretary Vera Smith acknowledged recording the closed session on her cell phone and that the audio later ended up in a group message that included three people who are not board members, but Smith says she did not send it. In addition to reporting the incident to authorities, the board also voted to formally censure Smith, with four members voting in favor and two abstaining.

Here’s an update on which San Antonio school districts are using Bluebonnet curriculum

(San Antonio Report) In February of 2025, the San Antonio Report surveyed 16 school districts in the Bexar County region, and only six said they planned to use Bluebonnet materials, especially the math portions. Now, 10 local districts plan on using Bluebonnet for the upcoming 2026-27 school year, mostly for math classes.

San Antonio ISD issues its Annual Call for Proposals for in-district charter schools for 2027-28

(News4SA) The San Antonio Independent School District is looking for organizations and school leaders interested in creating new and innovative in-district charter schools for the 2027-28 school year. SAISD issued its annual Call for Proposals on Monday. The district says the goal is to improve student outcomes, increase innovation, and give families the opportunity for high-quality school options.

Texas Statewide Cell Phone Ban Shows Positive Results in Lubbock ISD as Second Year Begins

(KCBD) As students across Texas begin their second year under a statewide ban on student cell phones during school hours, Lubbock Independent School District officials say the local impact has been overwhelmingly positive.

Lamar CISD launches Bright Futures Academy for autism spectrum disorder students

(Community Impact) Lamar CISD is opening Bright Futures Academy to meet a need within the district. The academy, located at the former Beasley Elementary School site, is for students from early childhood, or 3 years old, through second grade with autism spectrum disorder.

Central Texas school districts ban energy drinks, citing health concerns

(KWTX) Earlier this month Lampasas ISD announced a ban on energy drinks at all of its campuses, joining at least one other Central Texas school district that has already taken the same step over concerns about the beverages’ effects on student health. McGregor ISD Superintendent Travis Mutscher says his district banned energy drinks last December after reviewing their impact on students.

Lake Travis ISD High School football player airlifted after ‘serious health emergency’ during practice

(KHOU) A Lake Travis High School football player was airlifted Monday morning after experiencing a “serious health emergency” during practice, the team said. Out of caution, the school canceled the remainder of Monday’s football activities. The team did not provide details about the nature of the emergency.

Northside ISD swears in new officers as Texas school security mandate strains district

(San Antonio Express-News) Eight officers joined the ranks of the Northside Independent School District police force Friday morning, bringing the district closer to meeting the state’s requirement of having an armed officer on every campus. With the new recruits, 102 officers are now dedicated to protecting San Antonio’s largest school district. But Northside ISD remains 62 officers short of the mandate that an armed officer be stationed on each campus.

Suspect grabbed Dallas ISD officer’s gun during struggle, shot him in leg, affidavit says

(WFAA) An affidavit, exclusively obtained by WFAA, identifies the 27-year-old man accused of taking a Dallas ISD officer’s gun and shooting him in a Sam’s Club parking lot. The suspected shooter has been identified as Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales. He admitted to taking Officer Justin Jones’ firearm and shooting him in the leg, according to the affidavit. Jones, 39, is expected to survive but will remain in the ICU as doctors monitor his condition. Sources tell WFAA that Jones is alert and talking.

Clear backpacks are common in Texas schools. Do they make students safer?

(San Antonio Express-News) Clear backpack policies became common across Texas school districts in the wake of the mass shooting at Uvalde ISD’s Robb Elementary.

Fort Worth ISD: O.D. Wyatt Campus Locked Down Over Reported Firearm Photo

(Dallas Express) O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth was placed on lockdown Monday after a student was reported to have taken a photograph of himself with a firearm on campus, according to Fort Worth ISD. Five students have been detained as part of the investigation, including the student who allegedly took the photograph, school district officials said.

Houston school bus delays leave some Houston ISD parents scrambling on first day

(KHOU) The first day back at Houston ISD came with an unexpected lesson for some families this week: how to cope when the school bus never shows up. Parents who reached out to the KHOU 11 tip line say route delays are common on day one, but several told KHOU 11 they have never seen problems on this scale, with some students left without any bus route assigned at all.

Corpus Christi ISD bus driver shortage: 50 vacancies open as school year begins

(KRIS) The Corpus Christi school district has raised starting pay to $19.50 an hour and is asking families to expect some delays during the first week of school.

Round Rock ISD outfitting all school buses with 3-point seatbelts ahead of new Texas requirement

(KVUE) The ride to school will look different for many students in Round Rock ISD this year as the district works to outfit its entire school bus fleet with three-point seat belts. Round Rock ISD has more than 250 buses that transport about 25,000 students to and from school each day. The district is nearly finished adding three-point seat belts to its buses.

Dallas College Becomes NIKE-Branded Athletics Program, a First for a Texas Community College

(PR Newswire) Dallas College Athletics has entered into a multi-year agreement with BSN SPORTS to become a NIKE-branded athletics program, positioning Dallas College as the first community college in Texas with this distinction and among a select group of institutions aligned with one of the most recognized brands in sports.

‘Sometimes you do need resources’: Valley college students turn to food pantries

(Valley Central) Food insecurity is affecting college students in the Rio Grande Valley, with some turning to food pantries to help cover basic needs. At South Texas College, officials say they have seen more students turning to campus food pantries for help. UT Rio Grande Valley reports distributing more than 40,000 pounds of food over the last two semesters, serving more than 4,700 student visits.

UT Austin’s 2026-2028 undergraduate catalog introduces 24 new programs

(Daily Texan) Applications are opening for new programs in the 2026-2028 undergraduate catalog, consisting of six new majors, five certificates and 13 minors, according to the UT Office of Curriculum and Academic Administration. Related:

How an alumni revolt derailed Trinity University’s new logo plan

(San Antonio Express-News) When Trinity University unveiled a sweeping rebrand on July 30, the redesigned website drew praise. The new sunburst logo did not. Alumni derided the symbol as generic and corporate and objected to losing Murchison Tower in their university’s emblem. Their opposition ignited a public-relations crisis and unraveled the logo rollout within five days. 

Angelo State University partners with Zoom to launch AI center in San Angelo

(Fox West Texas) Angelo State University has announced plans to work together with Zoom Technology to launch an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence, or AI-COE. The project was launched last year to position Angelo State as a national leader in AI education, innovation, and workforce development. The AI-COE will be housed in the recently acquired Nexus at Angelo State on Sunset Drive, focusing on adapting students’ AI skills and using them to tackle challenges in the San Angelo community.

Despite federal efforts to drop some children’s vaccine recommendations, Texas requirements unchanged

(Texas Tribune) Public health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.

Inside a Texas school district’s $91M big bet on football facilities amid extreme heat

(Houston Chronicle) Tomball ISD is investing about $91 million to upgrade athletic facilities, with a major focus on making sports safer and more usable during extreme Texas heat. The facilities are designed in part to address new UIL heat-safety rules using Wet Bulb Global Temperature, as weather affected nearly 46% of the district’s activities in 2024.

Lockhart ISD unveils new ‘mega den’ playground ahead of school year

(KXAN) The sprawling playground can hold over 450 children at once, and even includes wheelchair accessible features. It’s part of a plan called “Childhood Unlocked.” Lockhart ISD officials plan to increase recess by 50%, reduce screen time in the classroom, and restore collaborative play during the school day.

Alpine ISD reassures parents after “suspicious-looking” water donation

(NewsWest9) Alpine Independent School District wants the community to know that if they see teachers and students with eyebrow-raising cans…they’re just beating the heat. The cans sport a big golden Anheuser-Busch logo on the side, but they also have the word “WATER” printed in bold text on the side to distinguish it from an adult beverage. Anheuser-Busch had donated the canned water to the Apine fire department, which in turn donated it to the school district in the wake of a citywide boil-water notice. The district advised parents to make sure children take bottled water with them on Monday’s first day of school.

New secretary of state will continue to defend Texas’ open primaries against GOP lawsuit

(Texas Tribune) Robert Howden, the new Texas secretary of state, said in a legal filing Monday that he would continue to defend the state’s open primary system, putting him at odds with the Texas GOP in the lawsuit filed by the party last year.

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