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.
April 23, 2026
Texas Education Agency can keep investigating teachers over Charlie Kirk posts, judge rules
(San Antonio Express-News) The Texas Education Agency can continue investigating educators who criticized Charlie Kirk after his assassination last fall, an Austin federal judge ruled on Wednesday afternoon, rejecting a teachers union’s request for a temporary injunction. U.S. District Judge Alan Albright repeatedly said he didn’t feel the TEA’s actions caused general punishment or intimidation.
More than 42K students with disabilities, siblings awarded with Texas education savings accounts
(KVUE) All students in the top priority tier for Texas’ education savings account program have been accepted and will receive award notices this week, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced on Wednesday. The group of more than 42,600 students includes those with qualifying disabilities in households at or below 500% of the federal poverty level and their siblings. More than 274,000 students applied, but only about 90,000 to 100,000 students are expected to get into the program in the first year. Related:
- Families Fleeing Big School Districts Drive School Choice Demand (Texas Scorecard)
Texas teachers find sneaky workarounds to dodge Ten Commandments mandate
(Houston Chronicle) After a federal appeals court cleared the way for Ten Commandments posters to remain in Texas classrooms, some teachers aren’t just complying-they’re getting creative. Across Texas, educators are sharing ideas online for how to follow the law-while still pushing back on what many see as a violation of church and state separation.
Fort Worth ISD leaders weighing additional staff cuts, closure of school serving refugee students
(WFAA) Families fear closure of International Newcomer Academy as Fort Worth ISD leaders, under state takeover, weigh additional staff cuts.
IDEA Public Schools CEO speaks after Midland ISD ends partnership at Travis campus
(NewsWest9) IDEA CEO Dr. Jeffrey Cottrill said Wednesday that he respects Midland ISD’s decision to terminate the district’s lease agreement with the charter operator for Travis Elementary School. However, he believes IDEA needed more time to turn the campus around.
Houston ISD superintendent lays out his plans for the district
(KHOU) HISD Superintendent Mike Miles discussed test scores, the future of AI in schools, and more in a live Q&A session on Wednesday.
Texas Education Agency Finds Complaints of Antisemitism in Plano ISD ‘Unsubstantiated’
(Texas Scorecard) Plano ISD has avoided sanctions from the Texas Education Agency after state investigators concluded the district did not violate civil rights laws or state education statutes in connection with a series of antisemitism complaints—even as the report documents multiple antisemitic incidents and policy violations that required corrective action.
Texas falls short on pre-K standards, new report says. Here’s how it can improve
(Dallas Morning News) Texas’ pre-K system still falls short in many key areas of early childhood education, according to a national report released Wednesday. The report comes after state leaders have taken steps to expand access to prekindergarten programs. One of the report’s authors said the quality of the early learning programs Texas’ three- and four-year-olds have access to depends largely on where they live.
Roblox takes down Uvalde school shooting video game after Texas backlash
(News4SA) Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said in a statement that any glorification of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, concerned the company and that the simulation game had been taken down. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows is directing a House committee to examine child safety failures on Roblox after a lawmaker from Uvalde discovered a game simulating the 2022 Robb Elementary School massacre.
United ISD votes to retire two campuses
(KGNS) Students, staff and administrators assigned to Matias De Llano and Amparo Gutierrez elementaries will not be starting the 2026-2027 school year at those campuses. On Wednesday, the United Independent School District board voted 6-1 to retire both campuses. The consolidation is one part of a larger financial plan that includes several cost-saving measures.
Humble ISD officials propose 3% overall general pay increase for staff members
(Community Impact) Given the challenging budgeting circumstances, HISD Chief Financial Officer Billy Beattie said during a board meeting that the district’s proposal to move forward with a 3% pay increase should put them at a competitive advantage for recruiting and retaining employees.
Ysleta ISD faces tough budget choices as state changes cut funding by $11 million
(KFOX 14) The Ysleta Independent School District says it is being forced to make tough financial decisions after a state change is expected to reduce its funding by $11 million. District officials said during Wednesday’s board meeting that the reduction is tied to changes made this year to Senate Bill 12, legislation passed in 2023. The law was intended to provide property tax relief to elderly or disabled homeowners whose school district taxes were already capped. While that lowered tax bills for those homeowners, it also meant less money went to school districts.
Amarillo ISD to offer affordable child care for full-time employees to boost retention
(KVII) Amarillo ISD is launching a new childcare option to ease a major challenge for working parents and help the district keep teachers and staff in classrooms. The district will offer affordable daycare for full-time employees, a move AISD Early Childhood Director Brittany Hinz said is designed to support retention and recruitment.
Inside North East ISD’s ‘moonshot’ to train the next generation of teachers
(San Antonio Express-News) North East ISD launched the Moonshot program at a time when the state is looking to tamp down on the number of uncertified teachers in classrooms.
Little Elm ISD votes to rename elementary school named after Cesar Chavez following sex abuse allegations
(WFAA) The elementary school will now be named Little Elm Elementary after Monday night’s vote.
Lindale ISD superintendent says Texas Rangers investigating student’s death, encourages prayers for her family
(KLTV) The Texas Rangers are conducting a formal investigation into the choking death of a child at Velma Penny Elementary School, the superintendent said. Second grader Adrian Thompson died after choking at school last week. Superintendent Stan Surratt explained that when Adrian began choking at school, lifesaving efforts were undertaken by the school nurse, including the Heimlich maneuver, use of a LifeVac device, and then CPR. EMS responders came to the scene after someone called 911, and they continued emergency care, taking her to the hospital. She was later taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.
Gainesville ISD admits former special education teacher kicked student after initial denial
(Fox 4 KDFW) Gainesville ISD has now said that a former special education teacher kicked a special needs student after initially denying any abusive behavior. The family of the student says they found out about the incident through FOX 4 reporting, and not from the district. The district has not clarified whether the educator, who is no longer with the district, was fired or allowed to resign following the incident.
Student in custody after bomb threat report at Mission CISD High School
(ValleyCentral) The “student responsible for the bomb threat” at Mission High School on Wednesday has been taken into custody, according to the Mission Police Department. Students were evacuated to Tom Landry Stadium as a precautionary measure.
Kirbyville CISD High School teen charged with assaulting another student in class
(KFDM) A Kirbyville CISD High School student is charged with assaulting another student in a classroom, and the alleged victim’s mother says it was all captured on cell phone video.
Bomb threat at Round Rock ISD Westwood HS part of ‘swatting’ series, school says
(KVUE) Law enforcement officials have given the “all-clear” after Westwood High School in northwest Austin was evacuated due to a bomb threat on Wednesday. In a letter to families, Principal Erin Campbell said the call appeared to be part of a more widespread series of “swatting” incidents affecting several school districts.
Ex-Astros prospect coached minors for years despite sex crime conviction involving teen
(Houston Chronicle) A former Houston Astros prospect spent the past few years as a youth baseball instructor and coach in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Whiteman is currently listed on the Texas Sex Offender Registry (SOR) public website as a resident of Keller and will remain on the SOR list through 2030. That designation didn’t preclude him from engaging with minors on baseball and softball diamonds and facilities.
Houston synagogue and Jewish day school close due to unspecified threats
(Jerusalem Post) A Houston synagogue and Jewish day school closed Wednesday after receiving threats to their shared campus. The threats to Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform synagogue, and the Shlenker School, a preschool and elementary school, were communicated to the Houston Police Department, which informed the Jewish institutions.
27 states — including Texas — want to opt into federal school choice program
(K-12 Dive) More than half the states — 27 — have indicated their desire to participate in the first nationally available federal private school choice tax incentive program as of April 15, according to the IRS.
Northside ISD staff member dies at hospital after crash outside elementary school, officials say
(KSAT) A Northside Independent School District staff member died at a hospital after she was hit by a vehicle outside an elementary school, according to officials. The crash was reported around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, 30 minutes before the school day starts at Raba Elementary. San Antonio police said Wisniewski-Balinsat, 66, was crossing the school’s parking lot when a vehicle, driven by a 32-year-old woman, was making a left turn in an attempt to park. Wisniewski-Balinsat, identified as a day tutor at the school, was hit by vehicle’s front and rear tires, police said.
Baylor University defies conservative reputation by hosting opposing political events
(Texas Tribune) Baylor’s move to allow Turning Point USA’s tour stop on campus Wednesday, along with a rally featuring LGBTQ+ speakers is being called a win for diverse viewpoints by some. Related:
As Texas conservatives reshape higher ed, advocates ask: Where are the Democrats?
(Austin American-Statesman) Going into the midterms, Texas Republicans say they have momentum to build conservative values in higher ed. Some advocates say Democrats aren’t doing enough.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to offer 90-hour Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies degree
(Fox 44) The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) has become the first institution in Texas to offer an innovative 90-hour Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies degree. UMHB says this reduced-credit-hour degree will begin this fall, and will accelerate a student’s path to the classroom or to a post-baccalaureate certification program.
UT Rio Grande Valley, South Texas ISD to explore building collegiate high school
(myRGV) South Texas ISD and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley announced Tuesday that they are exploring building a collegiate high school. UTRGV currently has three collegiate schools with Harlingen CISD, Edinburg CISD and McAllen ISD.
Lawsuit accuses Dallas private school of failing to address antisemitism
(WFAA) A Jewish student’s family says Alcuin School allowed religious discrimination. The School denies the claims and says it “will vigorously defend Alcuin.”
Houston City Council approves gutting policy limiting ICE cooperation, civil rights groups say
(Texas Tribune) In contrast to the civil rights groups’ assessment, Houston’s city attorney told council members that the amendment — crafted by the mayor’s staff and the governor’s office — brings no major changes.
Latest from TexEdNews!
$ = Subscribers Only
