State Board of Education approves 4 new charter schools in Texas
TEXAS TRIBUNE – Four new charter schools are one step closer to opening in Texas after the State Board of Education voted to approve them Friday. On Wednesday, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath recommended SBOE members approve five schools. The board greenlit the opening of Infinite Minds in Arlington, Pathway Academy in Big Spring, The Texas Girls School in Austin and Unparalleled Preparatory Academy in Manor.
Mansfield ISD Staff Will Notify Parents if Their Kid Is Transgender
DALLAS OBSERVER – The Mansfield Independent School District approved a policy this week that requires staff to notify parents if their child asks to use a pronoun or bathroom that doesn’t correspond to the gender on their birth certificate. The measure passed despite efforts to delay the vote, a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the presence of people who came to the board meeting to speak against the policy.
Fort Stockton School board votes no to year-round school
CBS 7 (ODESSA) – During a school board meeting Monday, the Fort Stockton ISD School board voted against the 2024-2025 schedule to year-round school. This comes as an effort to improve academics after STAAR test scores decreased throughout the state. The new schedule would extend the school year into June, with some exceptions.
Former Valentine ISD Business Manager Arrested For Allegedly Stealing School Funds
REFORM AUSTIN – The former business manager and tax assessor-collector for Valentine ISD, Ernesto “Ernie” Villarreal Jr., was arrested on Monday for allegedly misappropriating school district funds for personal expenses.
Katy ISD student creates audio-based education games for visually impaired children
COMMUNITY IMPACT – A Katy ISD student has created an audio-based educational website for others with visual impairments with the hope of addressing the lack of accessible resources.
TEA investigating Fort Bend ISD over claims related to electioneering, open meetings act violations
KHOU (HOUSTON) – The Fort Bend County Independent School District released a statement, saying it is under investigation by the Texas Education Agency. In the statement released Thursday, the district said the TEA is investigating complaints the district “unlawfully incentivized students and staff to vote” in the voter-approval tax rate election in 2023. That election approved a tax increase for the district.
STAAR test results help Refugio ISD target areas of need
REFUGIO COUNTY PRESS – Refugio ISD students in grades 3-8 matched or exceeded the state average in five of 14 tests in the Spring 2024 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessments, which were released on June 14.
Cleveland ISD superintendent facing unexpected removal amid board dispute; may cost District $800K
BLUEBONNET NEWS – In a move that has surprised many within the community, a faction of Cleveland ISD’s Board of Trustees is pushing for the removal of Superintendent Stephen McCanless. The special-called meeting to address this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, at 6 p.m., at the CISD Administration Building, 1901 E. Houston St. The meeting is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and express their views.
Princeton Study: Private school tuitions rise after state voucher rollout
KCRG-TV9 – Iowa’s school vouchers, known as Educational Savings Accounts, are driving up the tuition for private schools.
