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March 6, 2026
Strong interest in Texas’ school vouchers may push high-income families out of the lottery
(Houston Chronicle) With more than 150,000 students in Texas seeking access to the state’s first-ever private school vouchers, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock said the program’s lottery may fill up before it reaches the last group of higher-income families. Related:
- More than 150,000 Texas families have applied for school choice program with a deadline less than two weeks away (KBTX)
- How Texas School Vouchers Could Make Child Care More Affordable (New York Times via DNYUZ)
- Pre-K eligibility rules keep Katy mom’s special needs son from Texas school voucher program (KPRC)
- Head of North Texas private school expresses hope, uncertainty over private school voucher program (CBS Texas)
Texas leaders vying to privatize public education — and San Antonio’s North East ISD in the crosshairs
(San Antonio Current) Amped-up rhetoric by Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton about taking over school districts serves as a warning the Texas GOP wants a full-scale privatization of the state’s public education system, critics charge. Democratic lawmakers and at least one teacher union president tell the Current they are thoroughly convinced such a plan is already underway. What’s more, there’s growing consensus that Texas’ school voucher program is less about giving parents more options than it is enriching the legislation’s backers.
Natalia ISD voted unanimously to return to 5-day school week
(News4SA) The Natalia Independent School District Board of Trustees approved Wednesday the 2026–2027 academic calendar, returning students to a traditional five-day school week. The board voted unanimously, 7–0, in favor of change, which follows a Monday–Friday schedule. The decision they said was based on feedback gathered from staff, students, and parents, as well as discussions among board members.
Sharyland adopts policy allowing prayer time in school
(Progress Times) In a 5-0 vote, the Sharyland ISD Board of Trustees approved a resolution allowing a designated period of prayer and reading of religious text during the instructional day.
Tioga ISD to keep accreditation after risk brought on by financial struggles
(KXII) The Texas Education Agency has notified Tioga ISD that it will not lose its accreditation. The district’s state certification had been in jeopardy due to ongoing financial struggles. After the meeting with the TEA this week, administrators learned the district has two more years to recover its financial footing without losing accreditation, so long as they keep up the positive progress.
Wichita Falls school district avoids takeover by state, officials say
(Texas Tribune) The Wichita Falls school district will not be placed under state control, district officials announced at a Thursday board meeting. The TEA will appoint a conservator to monitor the district’s progress and advise the superintendent and school board. After years of underperformance at Kirby Middle School, Wichita Falls ISD closed the campus and moved the students to Hirschi Middle School. The district also entered a partnership with Third Future Schools, a charter school network focused on turning around struggling schools.
Mexia ISD working with TEA to improve student outcomes at two campuses
(KCEN) According to Mexia ISD, the district was notified on Feb. 24 that the TEA was appointing an academic conservator to provide “support and guidance to improve student achievement” at A.B. McBay Elementary and R.Q. Sims Intermediate School.
ICE detention couldn’t get worse for beloved Houston ISD soccer captain Mauro Henriquez. Then it did
(Houston Chronicle) Mauro Yosueth Henriquez is one of the thousands of students in the U.S. illegally who disappeared from American classrooms in President Trump’s ICE crackdown.
A Houston ISD elementary school is getting a major redesign next year
(KHOU) Houston ISD is transforming C. Martinez Elementary into a Future 2 School with hands-on learning, AI tools and a redesigned school day.
School districts across Houston are seeing enrollment declines. Here’s where they are the largest
(Houston Chronicle) District data reported Oct. 31 – the official “snapshot” districts send to the state – showed that a majority of the region’s largest districts saw declines. While a few districts saw little change – like Conroe ISD losing about 150 students – others like Aldine and Alief ISDs saw more dramatic declines of 5% or more.
Clear Creek ISD to consider elementary staff reductions for 2026-27 school year
(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees discussed planned reductions to elementary school staff during its March 2 workshop as part of its annual budget and staffing review. District officials cited declining enrollment and district priorities as key factors for the continued staff reductions.
Records show nearly $41K in Fabens ISD funds spent at Speaking Rock and Sunland Park casinos
(KFOX 14) KFOX14/CBS4 has obtained new documents detailing nearly $41,000 in Fabens Independent School District funds allegedly spent at local casinos by a former district employee. Credit card statements reveal six separate casino transactions over a two-month period, totaling approximately $41,000 in district funds. The district has confirmed there is an ongoing investigation.
Affadavit: Waco High student used racial slurs as he threatened to kill teacher’s aide
(KWTX) A 17-year-old Waco High School student, Anthony Christopher Lavallee, was arrested after threatening to kill a teacher’s aide on February 26, 2026. He allegedly directed racial slurs at her after she prevented him from going to the gym, then threatened to blow up her car with C4 explosives and bring a shotgun to school to shoot her in the back of the head. The threats were made in front of multiple witnesses, several of whom said they believed he had the means to follow through. Lavallee was charged with Exhibition or Threat of Use of Firearms on school property, a Class A misdemeanor under Texas law, and remains in McLennan County Jail.
Coppell ISD parents demand answers after ammunition found at school three separate times
(Dallas Morning News) Parents in Coppell ISD are demanding answers after ammunition was found on three separate occasions on a middle school campus. Coppell Middle School North went into hold status Wednesday morning after a student found ammunition in a classroom. The incident was the third of its kind at Coppell Middle School North over the past six months.
UT Austin’s Senate of College Councils passes scholarship authenticity resolution
(Daily Texan) The UT Austin Senate of College Councils unanimously passed a resolution meant to promote authenticity in University-funded scholarship applications. The resolution, passed Feb. 19, proposes applications to add a required statement against generated or unoriginal content, consequences for inauthentic work and for applicants to submit a statement saying all content is purely original writing. Jonathan Chao, a chemical engineering freshman, said this can include, but is not limited to, artificial intelligence use. Related:
- ‘So close to home’: After Austin shooting, UT Austin students grieve lost sense of safety (Austin
American-Statesman)
UT San Antonio faculty warn dissolving race and gender department reflects ‘troubling’ UT System trend
(San Antonio Report) As University of Texas at San Antonio leaders move forward with plans to merge its race and gender department with the department for bicultural studies, faculty say the move could result in a “grave disservice” to San Antonio.
Former Tarrant County College chancellor sues the college, alleging contract violations
(Fort Worth Report) Former Tarrant County College Chancellor Eugene Giovannini sued the college last month for breach of contract. Giovannini resigned in 2022 after trustees voted to terminate him following an investigation into an alleged relationship with an employee. He denies the relationship.
Midwestern State University adds online Master of Arts in organizational leadership
(KAUZ) After being approved by the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents last month, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership is now set to go online in Fall of 2026 at Midwestern State University (MSU). Pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, this 30-hour graduate program will be the first of its kind in Texas in addition to being 100% online. Related:
Nasdaq launches Texas exchange with opening bell at the Alamo
(Texas Public Radio) Nasdaq rang its ceremonial opening bell at Alamo Plaza on Thursday as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, company leaders, and business executives gathered to mark the launch of Nasdaq Texas and the first time the exchange broadcast its weekday market-opening ceremony from San Antonio rather than its usual location in New York’s Times Square.
Six Texas school districts rank among top 20 in U.S.
(KDAF) Six Texas school districts have been named among the top 20 in the United States, according to a new national analysis. The study ranked Frisco Independent School District as the third-best district in the country, the highest ranking for any district in the state. The rankings were produced by Flipsnack, an interactive publications converter that analyzed 700 school districts across the U.S. to determine the results.
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