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July 20, 2026
Midland ISD To Vote On Lawsuit That Could Force Rewrite Of Texas School Finance

(Dallas Express) Midland ISD trustees will vote Tuesday, July 21, 2026, on whether to authorize a constitutional lawsuit targeting Texas’ mandatory school property-tax rate and recapture system, a case that could force lawmakers to rewrite major parts of public-school finance if the district ultimately prevails.

What to know about Odyssey, the company administering Texas education savings account funds

(Dallas Morning News) The New York-based business has provided platforms for school choice programs across the country, but has faced allegations of poor oversight and spiraling costs.

Boerne ISD to offer off-campus Bible lessons during school day

(San Antonio Express-News) LifeWise Academy, a Christian nonprofit that buses kids to off-campus locations for biblical instruction and character development lessons, will launch in two Boerne elementary schools this fall under a new Texas law permitting religious school-day programs. Students at all district campuses will be able to enroll in the program within the next three years, the nonprofit said, and the group is looking to expand to more Texas school districts in the coming years.

‘Our coaches are crying for help’: Inside the fight to regulate agents in Texas High School Football

(Dave Campbell’s Texas Football) Many elite Texas high school recruits are signing contracts before they sign with colleges. Now, a statewide push aims to protect families from unlicensed agents chasing a payday. Related:

Nearly 800 Fort Worth ISD teachers resign after state takeover

(Dallas Morning News) The promises of a smooth transition under state control are hitting a wall of reality in Fort Worth. A striking new report by The Dallas Morning News reveals that teacher resignations in Fort Worth ISD have surged dramatically since the state-appointed leadership stepped in this past spring. Related:

Houston ISD accepted nearly $12 million in donations without board approval

(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD departments and schools received nearly $12 million in outside donations without board approval, even though the board is supposed to approve many of these donations first, according to district policy. The purposes for the donations range widely and include staffing salaries, Chromebooks, and field trips. School principals can also use donations at their discretion.

ICE detention of Houston ISD student sparks calls for help

(Houston Chronicle) The Houston community is urgently seeking help for an 18-year-old student detained by immigration authorities this weekend. Alim Garipov, an 18-year-old student from Bellaire High School, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday night at William P. Hobby Airport. ICE alleges that Garipov overstayed his visa, while his supporters say he has a pending asylum case. 

El Paso ISD Deletes Classroom Pride Flag Post, Offers No Explanation

(Dallas Express) El Paso Independent School District deleted an X post that appeared to show a Pride flag hanging inside a classroom after the image drew criticism online, but the district has not explained why it removed the post or whether the display remains in place.

A look at Texas taxes: No state income tax, but you are still paying. Here’s how

(Dallas Morning News) As of 2026, Texas is one of nine states that do not impose an individual income tax, along with Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming. Still, that doesn’t mean life is tax-free in Texas, far from it.

Opinion: The Real Lesson Behind Texas’ New Bible Curriculum Requirements

(Texas Observer) Going forward, students will learn that life circumstances are beyond their power to change. They will learn that their place and the place of others in the economy and larger society should not be questioned.

Pearland ISD trustees approve partnership for teacher placements, mentor stipends

(Community Impact) Pearland ISD campuses will host Grand Canyon University teacher candidates for field experiences and student teaching opportunities after trustees approved a partnership with the university at its July 14 board meeting.

Permian Strategic Partnership invests $5.1M to help West Texas schools meet new teacher certification

(KOSA) With new teacher certification requirements under House Bill 2 (89th) taking effect in August 2026, the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) is investing $5.1 million to help West Texas schools retain educators, expand certification opportunities and build a stronger local teacher pipeline. A press release says the investment will support Falcon Fast Track, a fully online alternative teacher certification program administered by UT Permian Basin.

Lufkin ISD to discontinue afterschool program due to lack of grant funding

(KLTV) Lufkin ISD announced Friday the district will no longer be able to continue an afterschool program due to a lack of grant funding. The Texas ACE afterschool program, supported by grants, focused on providing student support. The school said they were not selected to receive funding through the next Texas ACE grant cycle, according to a news release.

What a dyslexia simulation showed Fort Worth ISD parents about their kids’ school days

(Fort Worth Report) A dyslexia simulation hosted by Fort Worth ISD allowed parents to experience the frustration, confusion and mental exhaustion many children with dyslexia face during a typical school day. Parents and educators said the experience increased empathy and reinforced the importance of early identification, specialized instruction and stronger school support for students with dyslexia. Organizers hope the simulation will encourage families to advocate for timely evaluations and appropriate classroom accommodations.

How a man once ordered to pay libel damages helped launch an investigation into Islamic private schools

(Texas Tribune) A man convicted of libel in Britain helped spur investigations into Islamic private schools applying to Texas’ voucher program, legal filings say.

Alvin ISD investigates former employees over alleged handling of special education students

(Fox 26 Houston) Alvin ISD says three former employees at Nolan Ryan Junior High are no longer with the district after allegations they inappropriately physically handled students in a self-contained special education classroom. The district declined to provide additional details because the investigation remains active.

Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD temporarily limits after-hours access to high school campus

(KBMT) Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School limits after-hours access due to unspecified inappropriate activities, ensuring safety as the new school year approaches. District officials said several campus gates and access points will be secured during evenings, weekends and holidays until school begins. The district said the temporary restrictions come in response to recent inappropriate activities on high school property. Officials did not specify the nature of those activities.

Texas border surveillance scholar exceeded tenure standards. UT Austin’s president denied him

(Austin American-Statesman) Amid concerns UT is quieting controversial fields, Chaar López fears the president violated his academic freedom in denying him tenure.

Texas A&M tops every Texas university in new global ranking

(Houston Chronicle) Texas A&M finished No. 6 worldwide in American Caldwell’s Global University Visibility Rankings, ahead of UT Austin, Rice and other Texas schools. The ranking measured news coverage, searches, social media followers and online attention—not academics.

Number of college loan defaults soar in Texas and the nation

(KERA) More than 20% of college loan borrowers in Texas are in default — part of a growing national trend, according to an analysis by the Associated Press. In total, around 878,000 Texans are in default due to college loans. That’s up by 417,000 since April 2025. A record 9.2 million college loan borrowers are in default nationally, representing an increase of 4.2 million since April of 2025.

Two South Texas College grievances against president prompted vote for corrective action 

(Progress Times) Two employee grievances filed against South Texas College President Ricardo J. Solis prompted the college’s Board of Trustees to vote in February to pursue “corrective action as necessary,” according to board records obtained by the Progress Times. Solis has continued serving as president, and the college has declined to comment on personnel matters, citing confidentiality.

Houston-area law enforcement agencies seek ban on certain electric dirt bikes before school starts

(KHOU) Bike racks at schools are empty during the summer break. But many will include e-dirt bikes come the new school year. Constables in Harris and Fort Bend Counties say banning e-dirt bikes from campuses would improve safety in school zones. “If you follow social media, you’ll see they’re a concern nationwide,” said Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Constable Chad Norvell. Norvell said his deputies routinely write tickets but have also seen serious accidents like the kinds KHOU has covered time and time again.

Sex abuse victim family in Waco case “tired of being used” for politics amid Talarico attacks

(Waco Bridge) The family of the victim in a child sex abuse case prosecuted by the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office is speaking out against the use of the case by politicians, saying they are “tired of being used.” We are tired of lies being told by both Paxton & Talarico, tired of the divide and just tired,” the family said in a statement posted on social media by family spokesperson Melissa Dieterich.

‘Their hearts are shattered’: Unprecedented flooding tests Uvalde area’s hard-earned resilience

(KERA) Historic floodwaters inundated Uvalde and neighboring communities last week. Now, residents already familiar with tragedy say they’re coping the only way they know how: by helping each other out. Related:

Midland answers the call: $6,800 school lunch debt wiped out in less than 48 Hours

(NewsWest9) Less than 48 hours after a local appeal, the Midland community completely eliminated Midland ISD’s remaining $6,800 school lunch debt before classes begin.

Police investigate Little Elm short-term rental shooting involving Lewisville High students

(Fox 4 KDFW) One juvenile suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound after a shooting broke out at a short-term rental property in Little Elm on Friday night. A preliminary investigation revealed the shooting stemmed from a birthday party at a short-term rental home. Investigators determined that the majority of the attendees were students from Lewisville High School. The Town of Little Elm issued a reminder that events are strictly prohibited at short-term rentals, and officials are reviewing potential enforcement action against the property owners.

Potter County deputy named Texas school resource officer of the year

(KVII) A Potter County sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Bushland Independent School District was named the 2026 school resource officer of the year by the Texas Association of School Resource Officers. Deputy Julie O’Brien received the Lynelle Sparks Officer of the Year Award during the association’s 13th annual School Safety Conference in Corpus Christi.

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