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April 20, 2026
After 10 years at the TEA, Mike Morath is still redefining Texas education
(Austin American-Statesman) Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in December 2015, Mike Morath has served longer than any other education commissioner in 50 years.
Texas families will soon find out if they’ve won the school voucher lottery
(Houston Public Media) Families in the first tier of the lottery — low- and middle-income students with disabilities — may be notified as early as this week if they’ve qualified for voucher funds, according to a spokesperson for the program, who says the majority of applicants will end up on a waitlist.
A Texas district closed 2 schools. How innovation made it a smoother process
(K-12 Dive) Donna Independent School District credits the launch of its innovative academies for helping parents adjust to two elementary schools closing.
‘One district, one standard’: Fort Worth ISD overhauls instruction as 25,000 students underperform
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD leaders say uniform teaching will raise achievement, but some educators fear it could leave students behind.
3 takeaways from new research on Houston ISD’s takeover
(Houston Chronicle) New research on the state takeover of Houston ISD highlights three major impacts: the district has been reorganized using military-style structures and language, reducing autonomy for campus leaders; teachers have lost flexibility in how they use classroom time due to a more standardized, efficiency-driven model; and educator well-being has declined, with many reporting increased stress, health issues, and burnout. The research was presented at Rice University by UT Austin, Pennsylvania State and Rice doctoral students. Related:
Fort Bend ISD officials say 2026-27 budget shortfall has grown to $47.3M
(Community Impact) At an April 13 board of trustees agenda review meeting, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn said the district is now projected to face a $47.3 million shortfall for the 2026-27 school year, a 22.86% growth from the $38.5 million figure that was forecast in March.
Denton ISD to end fiscal year with $22M surplus
(Community Impact) Denton ISD will end fiscal year 2025-26 with a roughly $22 million surplus, according to a report from Jennifer Stewart, DISD’s executive budget director, at an April 14 trustee meeting.
Carroll ISD proposal includes teacher blackout days, incentives for unused leave
(Community Impact) At an April 13 workshop, the Carroll ISD board of trustees discussed adding blackout days where employees cannot request time off to the 2026-27 school calendar — and adding attendance incentives to help with daily staff presence.
Why Houston-area districts are recruiting students to combat the rise of uncertified teachers
(Houston Chronicle) In an effort to build a more reliable pipeline of certified teachers, Houston-area districts are recruiting students by asking them to return to the district once they get teacher certifications.
Round Rock ISD to launch teacher apprenticeship program this fall
(Community Impact) Round Rock ISD is working to create a new “grow your own” inroad to the classroom for aspiring teachers.
Silent alert system triggered Laredo ISD Martin High School lockdown
(KGNS) Laredo ISD and police shared new details about the lockdown at Martin High School on April 16 and how a silent alert helped get multiple agencies moving within minutes. The district credited a staff member who used the Raptor Alert — a silent panic button on staff badges and phones — to send an emergency notification and trigger a lockdown without a loudspeaker announcement. Related:
Lampasas ISD Bond Election Backed by Architectural Firm

(Texas Scorecard) Voters in Lampasas Independent School District will soon be asked to decide whether to approve a debt package to fund districtwide projects, such as the construction of new education facilities, upgrades to safety and security, and traffic solutions. The proposal is backed by a Plano-based architectural firm that specializes in designing educational facilities.
San Antonio leaders eye long-term future for Pre-K 4 SA
(San Antonio Report) Some San Antonio City Council members are pushing for an early renewal of Pre-K 4 SA, the city-funded early childhood education program.
United ISD says Texas school bus seat belt mandate could cost $17M
(Laredo Morning Times) Mike Garza, UISD associate superintendent of administration operation services, said during a board workshop that meeting the SB546 seat belt requirement would cost a combined estimated $17 million to retrofit existing buses and buy new buses to meet the requirement.
State politics enters rarely-contested Alamo Heights school board races
(San Antonio Report) Usually untouched by contentious elections or board disagreements, the AHISD board could face shakeups from two races on the general May election this year.
After a burst pipe destroyed many Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Heritage HS caps and gowns, the district is asking for help to replace them
(WFAA) Grapevine Colleyville ISD needs donated graduation caps and gowns after a pipe burst during construction, ruining many of the outfits, officials say.
Former Northwest ISD teacher charged after child porn found on iPhone, federal prosecutors say
(CBS Texas) U.S. prosecutors announced Friday that a federal grand jury indicted a former Northwest ISD elementary school teacher Kyle Lee Roy Francis, 24,with two counts of possession of child pornography. According to the indictment, Francis’s iPhone contained at least three videos containing child pornography, including two videos depicting sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Prosecutors did not say what prompted the investigation into Francis.
Former Pasadena ISD teacher accused of aggravated sexual assault of a minor
(Fox 26 Houston) A former Pasadena ISD teacher is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault of a minor, according to court records. According to court documents, a 13-year-old student, said 22-year-old Vanessa Aguilar was his teacher, performed a sexual act on the student at least three times on or about February 19 to February 23.
Beaumont ISD elementary employee fired amid allegations she injured a student
(KBMT) A Beaumont ISD library employee has been terminated, and a mother is demanding answers amid allegations the district employee injured a first-grade student at Fletcher Elementary School. The employee was terminated by the district on Tuesday following an investigation that included a review of campus surveillance footage and cooperation with local law enforcement, according to a statement from BISD. Beaumont ISD Police are involved in the investigation.
Man sentenced to 30 years for murder in fentanyl death of Leander High School student
(CBS Austin) A man convicted of murder in the 2023 overdose death of a Leander High School student will spend 30 years in prison, a Williamson County judge ruled. A jury found Kreli Haynes guilty of murder in the death of 11th grader Zarek McMeekin. The investigation revealed that McMeekin purchased counterfeit pills containing lethal doses of fentanyl. Investigators were able to trace the transaction to Haynes.
Faculty Defect From Texas Public Colleges, Citing Censorship Concerns
(Inside Higher Ed) Fed up with the state’s censoring of Plato, Joan of Arc and Romeo and Juliet, humanities professors are leaving Texas public institutions in pursuit of academic freedom.
H-1B Visas Still Moving At Texas Universities Despite Governor’s Statewide Ban
(Dallas Express) Texas universities are continuing certain H-1B-related employment activities under narrow exceptions despite a statewide freeze ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott.
‘We’re honored’: UT Arlington lands $86M Navy contract to advance ship technology
(WFAA) A new Arlington lab will simulate real ship conditions as part of an $86M Navy contract, helping ensure critical systems work before deployment.
Dallas County leaders expect smoother city, school district elections after chaotic March primary
(KERA) Early voting for May municipal elections begins Monday, and Dallas County leaders say they’re confident this election will go smoothly — a stark contrast to the chaotic, location-specific March primary Election Day.
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