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Texas
6th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas teacher salaries fall short

The National Education Association's 2026 educator pay report highlights the salary landscape for Texas teachers, revealing a competitive starting salary of $49,465, ranking 18th nationally. However, as careers progress, the average salary drops to $63,749, placing Texas 33rd overall and significantly below the national average of $74,495. The report indicates that Texas teachers earn about 76 cents for every dollar made by similarly-educated workers, which has long-term implications for the workforce. Additionally, the minimum living wage in Texas is estimated at $58,544, leaving little room for financial growth. Support staff face even greater challenges, with average salaries of $33,481 for K-12 education professionals and $45,885 for higher education staff. The report also notes that Texas ranks 46th in per-student spending, with $12,815 allocated per student, reflecting broader funding issues in the state's education system.

IMPROVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

What Educators Need to Know About Engagement in 2026

Student engagement and instructional rigor don’t have to be at odds. Engagement shapes how much students read, whether they complete texts, and how effectively they build knowledge and comprehension over time. Scholastic’s new white paper, Engagement Through Reading, draws on the latest research to make the case for engagement as a core instructional condition that drives academic outcomes. Learn how to apply the latest student engagement research in your school or district.

Read now

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Pandemic weakened children’s self-regulation

Recent research published in the journal Child Development highlights a decline in children's executive function skills due to the pandemic. Executive function encompasses cognitive abilities such as attention control and goal-directed behavior, which are crucial for success in school and life. The study, part of the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H), analyzed data from over three thousand children aged three to eleven from 2018 to 2023. Lead researcher Stephanie M. Jones, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, noted: "Understanding children's behavior demands that we think about children's experiences." The findings suggest that educators should consider the impact of the pandemic on children's behavior and support the development of executive function skills through positive interactions and relationships.

STATE NEWS

Texas school vouchers raise eyebrows

Recent data from the Texas Comptroller's Office reveals significant disparities in the state's school voucher program. While 64% of approved applicants are from affluent districts like Northside ISD and Northeast ISD, Hispanic students are notably underrepresented, making up only 27% of recipients despite comprising 40% of the state's population. Critics argue that the program, which provides $10,000 vouchers for private school tuition, primarily benefits wealthy families already enrolled in private institutions, rather than the intended low-income students. "The new numbers... raise new questions about whether vouchers are delivering as Abbott and his allies promised," the report noted. With $1bn allocated for the program, the implications for public education funding remain a contentious issue.

Texas journalists honored for education reporting

The Texas Association of School Boards has announced the selection of 50 journalists for the 2026 TASB Media Honor Roll, recognizing their fair and balanced reporting on public education. These honorees, chosen by local school districts, demonstrate a commitment to building relationships with district leadership and covering significant events. “Public education thrives when communities understand what’s happening inside our schools,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. TASB President Tony Hopkins emphasized the importance of local media in keeping communities informed and engaged. Throughout May, school boards will present personalized certificates to the selected journalists.

LEGAL

Texas investigation clears Bellaire High

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) concluded its investigation into Bellaire High School, finding no wrongdoing by district employees regarding the use of students' preferred names and pronouns. This investigation was initiated by Gov. Greg Abbott after allegations from a local Moms for Liberty chapter claimed that teachers were "socially transitioning" a student. Richard Segovia, TEA's Division Director of Special Investigations, said: “Based on the available evidence, the investigation did not result in a finding of district-level wrongdoing.” The investigation's closure follows the passage of Senate Bill 12, which prohibits teachers from using preferred names and pronouns that do not align with a student's sex at birth. However, the TEA noted that SB12 did not apply in this case as it took effect after the alleged conduct.

Ramos fights for Latino representation

Guillermo Ramos, a lawyer and advocate for Latino representation, initiated a lawsuit against the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, claiming its at-large voting system violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Despite Latino voters comprising 56% of the district, no Latino candidates had won since 1995. The lawsuit led to a settlement that appointed Ramos as the first Latino trustee and changed the voting system to cumulative voting, allowing voters to concentrate their votes. However, a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision weakened Section 2, raising concerns about future representation for candidates of color. Christian Grose, director of the Democracy and Fair Elections Lab, noted: “I do think there are going to be challenges, even in nonpartisan elections.” The ruling may complicate efforts to ensure fair representation, but advocates like Bill Brewer remain hopeful about pursuing claims under the Voting Rights Act.

DISTRICTS

Houston ISD sees rise in magnet applications

Despite a decline in overall student enrollment, Houston ISD reported a 3% increase in families applying to its K-12 school choice programs for the 2026-27 school year. Over 16,500 families applied for magnet and specialty programs. HISD's outreach efforts may have contributed to this rise, as families can apply for up to 10 different programs beyond their zoned campus. However, the district continues to face challenges, with a projected enrollment decline of at least 4,000 students next year. Blake Heller, an assistant professor at the University of Houston, noted that while the increase in applications is positive, it does not necessarily indicate a reversal of the overall enrollment trend.

Houston ISD students lack fine arts access

According to a survey by Arts Connect Houston, 7% of Houston ISD students attended schools without any fine arts teachers last year. Monique Mogilka, Arts Connect's data manager, stated: “Up to 12,417 HISD students went without access to fine arts education last year.” Despite some recovery in fine arts programs following a state takeover, over one-third of HISD schools lacked partnerships with arts organizations in 2024-25. The district's new fine arts director, Devondria Douglas, emphasized the importance of reshaping mindsets about fine arts education, noting that efforts have reduced the number of "arts deserts" to 15%. However, disparities remain, with schools in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods still facing significant challenges. The district is also phasing out several arts-focused career programs and closing schools, raising concerns about equitable access to arts education.

Austin teachers shine at awards

Two teachers from Austin ISD received prestigious H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards for their outstanding contributions. Alasin DeVeny, a special education teacher at Joslin Elementary School, was honored with a lifetime achievement award, while Megan Vasquez, a physical education teacher at Becker Elementary School, received a leadership award. DeVeny expressed: “It does not matter what you know, and what you don't know, but when you show up in the places where other people don't, you change the world.” The awards ceremony, held in Houston, recognized 10 educators and awarded a total of $480,000 in grants, including $25,000 for DeVeny and $10,000 for Vasquez. Vasquez highlighted the importance of community, stating:

GOVERNANCE

Frisco ISD welcomes new leader

Frisco ISD's incoming superintendent, Todd Fouche, is set to begin his role in the 2026-27 school year. During an April 2 board meeting, the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees approved Fouche's contract following the departure of former Superintendent Mike Waldrip. Fouche's priorities for the district will be outlined as he prepares to lead, emphasizing a commitment to educational excellence and community engagement.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Ganado voters greenlight school upgrades

Voters in Ganado ISD approved two bond propositions on Saturday night, enabling funding for various campus and athletic facility enhancements. Proposition A, which passed with 320 votes in favor, allows the district to issue $36.9m in bonds for school facility projects, including a new auditorium and renovations to existing buildings. Proposition B, focused on athletic facilities, passed with 264 votes and authorizes $13.1m for improvements to the football stadium and related facilities. Both propositions will result in a property tax increase to repay the bonds, but district officials noted that the impact on taxpayers may be less than expected due to a strategy of defeasing prior bond obligations.

Trinity School breaks ground on expansion

Trinity School recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Light the Way" project, marking the start of a significant campus expansion funded by a successful $45m capital campaign. The expansion will include the Michael Eugene Black Lower School, which will accommodate students from kindergarten to fourth grade, and a new library that will serve all grade levels.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

President Trump revives school fitness test and presidential award program

President Donald Trump has revived the Presidential Physical Fitness Award as part of a broader effort to restore competitive physical fitness testing in American schools. Speaking at the White House alongside children, professional athletes, and Cabinet officials, Trump said the initiative is designed to promote athletic excellence, competitiveness, and healthier lifestyles among young Americans. The award will once again be tied to the Presidential Fitness Test, a long-running school program that was phased out during the Obama administration in favor of a health-focused fitness model. The original test measured students through activities such as a one-mile run, sit-ups, and other exercises, with top-performing students receiving the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. Details of the updated program have not yet been released. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the test will immediately become mandatory at 161 schools located on U.S. military bases, while encouraging broader adoption nationwide. He argued that competition and physical strength are important national values. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked the initiative to his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, criticizing the decision to eliminate the original test and pointing to rising childhood obesity rates in the United States.

 
PBS

NUTRITION

USDA restructures nutrition programs as states advance school meal policies

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to relocate its Child Nutrition Programs from Washington, D.C., to Dallas as part of a broader restructuring of the agency’s food and nutrition operations. The move is tied to the creation of the USDA’s new Food and Nutrition Administration, which reorganizes several major federal nutrition programs into regional hubs. Under the restructuring, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will move to Indianapolis, while Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs will relocate to Kansas City. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the changes are intended to improve customer service and strengthen coordination with state and local governments that administer federal nutrition programs. The USDA said the reorganization will better align resources with the states and families served by the programs. At the state level, lawmakers in New York introduced legislation that would require schools to provide science-based nutrition education during the school day. The proposed curriculum would include lessons on the health effects of ultra-processed foods and the importance of healthy eating habits. The bill has been referred to the state Senate Education Committee. The proposal comes as ultra-processed foods face growing scrutiny nationwide, following updated federal dietary guidelines encouraging Americans to limit consumption of such products.

INTERNATIONAL

Australia weighs school lunch expansion

Advocates are calling for Australia to introduce a nationwide school lunch program, using a successful Tasmanian initiative as a model, to improve child nutrition and address rising food insecurity. The program, which currently delivers around 21,500 free meals per week across 60 Tasmanian public schools, has been linked to improved student behavior, attendance, and social outcomes, though a national rollout would likely require partial parent contributions of around A$5 ($3.58) per meal to remain sustainable. Experts say many students lack access to healthy food, which can negatively impact learning and well-being, and argue that a universal system, potentially with means-tested support, could ensure all children receive at least one nutritious meal per day while easing cost-of-living pressures on families.

AND FINALLY...

Mina Kimes named new host of Scripps National Spelling Bee

Mina Kimes has been named the new television host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, as organizers overhaul the broadcast in an effort to revive viewership and modernize coverage of the century-old competition. The ESPN NFL analyst, who becomes the bee’s first celebrity host since LeVar Burton in 2022, said she hopes to bring a “big-game feel” to the event by highlighting the preparation, pressure, and competitive intensity behind elite spelling. Kimes compared studying top spellers to analyzing football game film, emphasizing the discipline and mental strategy involved. Scripps has also hired a new production team led by “Jeopardy!” executive producer Michael Davies, who said the goal is to make the bee “bigger and more famous” by focusing coverage around the drama and stakes of the final rounds. This year’s competition, scheduled for May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., will feature 247 contestants competing for more than $50,000 in prizes. The broadcast shake-up comes as ratings have remained below historical highs, despite Scripps moving coverage from ESPN to its ION and Bounce networks in 2022.
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