Latest TexEdNews:

Reported Elsewhere:

Having problems?
Please refresh your browser.

Reported Elsewhere

Where possible, these headlines link to no-paywall or soft paywall articles, or to websites offering free trials. TexEdNews neither condones nor endorses the accuracy of this news feed.

Thursday, July 9, 2026
Families Can Buy Bible Studies, AI Classes, More With Private School Vouchers

(Austin Chronicle) Public school advocates call for greater academic accountability and transparency on how program’s $1 billion funding can be spent.

Experts warn Gov. Greg Abbott’s property tax plan could bankrupt Texas, hobble cities

(San Antonio Current) As the Texas gubernatorial race heats up, Gov. Greg Abbott last week introduced a new plan that calls for eliminating school property taxes and putting severe restrictions on cities’ ability to tax and provide basic services. Most concerning, though, according to both UT San Antonio political science professor Jon Taylor and Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson, is Abbott’s proposed constitutional referendum rule, which would let Texas voters decide whether to pass an amendment eliminating school district property taxes.

Study reveals 3 Texas school districts land in national top 20

(DKAF) A new analysis by Flipsnack, a PDF to interactive publications converter, has identified the top school districts across the United States. Redondo Beach Unified School District in California ranked first among the districts analyzed. Three Texas school districts — Caddo Mills, South Texas and Hudson — also landed among the top 10.

‘Informed American Patriotism’: Texas Schools Bring Traditional Civics Back to the Classroom

(Townhall) After a decade of Howard Zinn-ified civics lessons infused with pieces of Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project, Texas schools have had enough. Texas is bringing back traditional civics lessons, placing them at the core of its elementary education curriculum and ensuring educators are properly prepared. This fall, following America’s 250th birthday, Texas elementary schools will implement a holistic, structured civics program centered on the nation’s founding documents.

Houston ISD to require clear bags, parental supervision of minors at UIL games starting in August

(Houston Chronicle) The district says that the goal is for “fans to come out and truly enjoy the game experience and not have to worry about safety or supervision.”

Austin ISD turns to school sales as budget pressures continue

(Austin American-Statesman) Austin Independent School District officials will sell Dawson and Sunset Valley elementary schools, two of the 10 campuses that closed this summer. The district is already counting on the sale of the old Rosedale school. The proposals are the district’s latest bid to infuse new cash into its depleted savings after painful budget cuts that required Austin ISD to slash a $181 million deficit.

McKinney ISD officials announce repurposing plan for 3 closed elementary campuses

(Community Impact) Following the closure of three elementary school campuses in McKinney ISD at the end of the 2025-26 school year, officials have announced plans to repurpose the facilities for other district uses.

Fort Worth ISD educators worry immigrant and refugee students won’t be supported after campus closure

(Courier Texas) After Fort Worth ISD closed International Newcomer Academy in April, educators continue to question if students will receive adequate support in traditional classrooms.

Controversial Katy ISD Residency Check Highlights Why School Districts Verify Student Residency

(Covering Katy) A residency verification conducted by Katy Independent School District officials in late June has sparked widespread discussion after a family’s attorney alleged district employees exceeded the scope of a routine residency verification.

Report: Education Department scaled back special education monitoring

(Chalkbeat) An advocacy group is raising concerns about what it says is the lack of federal oversight. The Education Department disputes the idea that it isn’t looking out for students.

Plano ISD elementary school teacher charged with sexual assault of a child

(NBC DFW) Plano Police arrested 64-year-old Paul Campbell on Wednesday and charged him with continuous sexual abuse of an 8-year-old child. Campbell had been a teacher at Brinker Elementary School in Plano ISD, where the alleged inappropriate physical contact occurred.

Former Texas A&M International University music teacher pleads guilty to producing child porn, faces 30 years in prison

(KGNS) Carlos Lechuga, 38, of Laredo, admitted in court that he produced child sexual abuse material involving five young girls who were his music students. The victims ranged in age from six to 11 years old. Lechuga taught mariachi classes at a school and gave private lessons at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, between 2013 and 2019. Records show he also taught music courses at Texas A&M International University in Laredo.

Faculty groups sue to block Texas Tech rules limiting instruction on race, gender, sexual orientation

(Texas Tribune) Faculty groups sued Texas Tech Chancellor Brandon Creighton and the university system’s regents Wednesday, asking a federal judge in El Paso to block classroom restrictions they say have censored professors who teach about race, gender identity and sexual orientation and intentionally discriminated against Black faculty. The lawsuit, brought by the Texas American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers and the national American Association of University Professors, challenges two memos Creighton issued after becoming chancellor last year.

Texas Universities Offer AI Degrees to Boost Value for Students

(Government Technology) As many companies slow new hiring because of uncertainty over AI, Texas universities are trying to stay a step ahead by offering AI bachelor’s and master’s degree programs paired with more traditional disciplines.

Austin Community College continues free tuition program and staff raises despite lower revenue

(KUT) ACC saw a decrease in property tax revenue and in-state funding this year. But officials said their free tuition pilot program has increased enrollment, student retention and student success, which will lead to more revenue in the next few years. This is the 13th year ACC has been able to freeze its student tuition and mandatory fees despite growing inflation.

Wayland Baptist University creates doctoral path for athletic leaders

(Plainview Herald) Wayland Baptist University is launching a new athletic administration concentration within its Doctor of Strategic Leadership program, creating a doctoral pathway aimed at preparing school-based athletic leaders for increasingly complex administrative, compliance and operational demands.

UT Austin Moody College of Communication to expand career center to increase student resources with $10 million donation

(Daily Texan ) The Moody College of Communication will launch the Eastin Center for Career Readiness in the fall with a $10 million donation, the college announced in a news release Wednesday. The center will expand Moody’s existing career center and increase access to internships, career coaching and connections to employers, the release said. The Eastin Center is named for Joe and Monica Eastin, who made the donation through their foundation for the purpose of increasing career opportunities for students. Related:

UT San Antonio to bring 3,400 students to downtown San Antonio San Pedro II building for new College of AI, Cyber and Computing

(San Antonio Report) University of Texas at San Antonio’s newest downtown building will be open to students starting in August. Thousands of students will be taking classes in two buildings straddling San Pedro Creek as UTSA positions its College of AI, Cyber and Computing in the heart of San Antonio.

One year later: Central Texas children continue healing after floods, Leander ISD bus crash

(KENS) A year after devastating floods in Central Texas, many families — especially children — are navigating ongoing trauma. The one-year anniversary of the floods also comes just weeks before another painful milestone for many Central Texas families: the Leander ISD school bus rollover on Nameless Road in August 2025.

Inside Houston’s 1970 School Strike

(Texas Observer) Texas poet Lupe Mendez’ new book gives Houston’s “huelga” school movement iconic verses, images, and voices.

Port Neches-Groves ISD faced mascot critics; California school fights Newsom law to save ‘Indians’ identity

(KFDM) A Northern California high school is trying to preserve its longtime “Indians” mascot under a new California law — a debate that may sound familiar to many Southeast Texans who over the years have fought against outside efforts to change the Port Neches-Groves ISD Indians mascot.

North Lamar ISD teacher with MS wins beauty pageants, inspires students

(KXII) A Texoma teacher battling multiple sclerosis has been invited to compete in the national Miss Wheelchair USA All Stars competition this summer—five years after she won the regional title. Kenda Felker has taught at North Lamar ISD for 20 years. She lost her ability to walk following her MS diagnosis but said teaching is what keeps her going.

Click for Earlier
“Reported Elsewhere” Dates

Latest from TexEdNews!

$ = Subscribers Only

TexEdNews Article Archives

$ = Subscribers Only

Commissioner’s Decisions
(Through June 2026)
SY 2025-26
PEIMS Articles: