March 9, 2025

The Texas Messenger

News & Headlines

School voucher town hall in Palestine ends with state representatives booed off stage – KLTV

Basically everyone agrees Texas teachers need a raise. The question is how to do it. – Texas Standard

Texas on the Brink: Will school vouchers transform education or create chaos, and a lottery scandal. – Houston Public Media

Will Texas Teachers Finally Get a Real Pay Raise? It’s Complicated. – Dallas Observer

Texas Senate to vote on school vouchers this week – NBC DFW

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proposes 7 emergency items in 2025 State of the State address – CBS News

Texas Education Commissioner Cites ‘Progress’ Despite Students’ Declining Scores

Lt. Gov. Patrick Reveals His First 25 Priorities for the Senate

Texas Superintendents on the Budget Crisis: “This Is Not Going to End Well”

Should Texas Teachers Really Have to Fundraise for Basic Supplies?

This Innovative Program Proves You Don’t Need Vouchers to Create Real School Choice

Texas senators fast-track school voucher bill for full vote

Abbott vows pay raises for teachers and more property tax relief – The Texas Tribune

Abbott makes school vouchers, teacher pay raises a priority for legislators – FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth

2.10.2025: Trump is watching Texas.

A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on? – The Texas Tribune

Texas could pass ‘universal school choice’ in 2025 – KXAN.com

Texas may finally pass school choice in 2025 – ABC News

Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says – The Texas Tribune

School voucher issue could impact elections in Houston area, across Texas – Houston Public Media

Billionaires Swoop In to Fund Abbott’s Texas School-Voucher Push – Bloomberg

State budget bill filed in Texas Senate, allocates $1 billion to school choice – The Center Square

US Sen. Ted Cruz Introduces Legislation Promoting School Choice

Texas House and Senate Budget Proposals Differ on Tax Relief, Education Funding

Texas lawmakers propose billions for school choice efforts: ‘It’s time’ – KEYE TV CBS Austin

Texas lawmakers propose billions for school choice efforts: ‘No matter their zip code’

Texas House, Senate propose new money for school choice, extra funding for public schools, & more property tax relief – CBS News

School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas education

School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas education – KSAT San Antonio

Why the $4.5 Billion School E-Rate Program Is Headed to the Supreme Court

Texas Ethics Commission dismisses complaint against state GOP chair, lawmaker says

Six San Antonio ISD campuses experienced heating issues as cold snap hit the area

Former Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck drops defamation claims in ongoing lawsuit

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles says ‘criticism’ likely contributed to enrollment decline

Houston ISD board votes to sell 17 district properties amidst community opposition

Mental health advocates ask Texas lawmakers to replace expiring COVID-19 relief funding

Private School Choice Will Keep Expanding in 2025. Here’s Where and How

Many Texas schools take “wait and see” approach to Trump’s mass deportation plans

An education ecosystem is being built in Elon Musk’s image. It starts in Bastrop County.

The Texas Legislature is back. Here’s what we’re watching

Paxton and GOP add pressure before House Speaker vote

Texas lawmaker accuses state GOP chair of ethics violation

Republican Caucus Rifts Mark the Texas House Speaker Race

Ken Paxton Throws Weight Behind Cook For House Speaker 

Inside the battle to be Texas State House Speaker

The number of students with disabilities in Texas public schools—and how that compares to other states

A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?

Here’s what public school advocates want to see during the next legislative session

Texas will have a $20B surplus next legislative session, comptroller projects

Rewriting Texas education: why education policy will be a top priority next session

TEA data reveals new details in certification scandal involving at least 50 North Texas educators

CCISD tracking potential federal, state plans for public education

How a staffing shortage can make special education jobs more dangerous

Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges

Texas education debate heats up as Gov. Abbott pushes for school vouchers

With vouchers likely to pass, Texas educators push for funding — and accountability

Texas education board wants more control over library books | The Texas Tribune

School bonds failed across Texas. What happens now?

Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative priority

Million-dollar teacher cheating scandal’ | District attorney announces 5 people charged

Two Lancaster High School athletes suspended for UIL violations after transferring from Duncanville

Abilene ISD staff placed on leave after alleged comment about students’ menstrual cycles

SAISD attorneys fight record release tied to superintendent’s personal development coach

UIL gives state executive committee power to investigate schools with excessive transfers

More principals left Fort Worth ISD last year than in any year since 2017

Wave of violent threats hit Texas schools

Community divided over Houston ISD’s historic $4.4 billion bond proposal

Cy-Fair ISD’s focus on libraries followed flood of book challenges by two trustees’ inner circles

Evans Middle School cheerleaders suffer first and second degree burns after ‘punishment’ from coach

How a school voucher supporter won in a Texas House district with almost no private schools

Fort Worth ISD school board to consider superintendent contract

6 Cyber Threats for the 2024-25 School Year

Assistant Principal ‘Blinded’ in One Eye After Being Attacked by Student with a Wooden Hanger

Texas School Choice Program Could Cost $2B Annually by 2028

New poll shows less support for $4.4 billion Houston ISD bond than prior survey

DFW school districts advocate for increased pre-K funding ahead of 89th Texas Legislature

Austin ISD, Disability Rights Texas settle lawsuit over special education services backlog

Texas teachers spend more on school supplies than in other states, data shows — are you one of them?

TASB Statement on Remarks Made at TASB Summer Leadership Institute

Fort Worth superintendent says school board breached her contract, email shows

Former Uvalde officer pleads not guilty to criminal charges over delayed mass shooting response

National effort to connect rural students with colleges expands to Texas

Texas to Deploy Statewide School Security System

Cost of the Universal ESA Vouchers

School Vouchers Were Supposed to Save Taxpayer Money. Instead They Blew a Massive Hole in Arizona’s Budget

Texas judge orders sheriff, school district to release Uvalde school shooting records

College Station ISD School Board Members Approve Pay Increases By Spending Money From The District’s Savings

Bender named Executive Director of Texas School Coalition

Registering Comments for Upcoming Texas House Public Education Hearing

School vouchers were supposed to save taxpayer money. They blew a hole in Arizona’s budget

The hidden impact of underfunding on Central Texas school districts

Marlin ISD was failing. Now this superintendent is changing trajectories

How Public Schools in Texas are Funded

Generative Artificial Intelligence May Help Teachers. Does It Work for Students?

UNT Dallas partners with Dallas ISD for first-ever paid teacher residency program

Hays CISD officials warn of fentanyl dangers while kids are out of school

Say a prayer for Texas’ public schools

Out-of-state donors bet big on Texas politics

Texas educators must encourage voting despite AG Paxton’s lawsuits, school group says

MAP: Which school districts have increased teacher pay for the 2024-25 school year?

State Board of Education approves 4 new charter schools in Texas

Mansfield ISD Staff Will Notify Parents if Their Kid Is Transgender

Fort Stockton School board votes no to year-round school

Former Valentine ISD Business Manager Arrested For Allegedly Stealing School Funds

Katy ISD student creates audio-based education games for visually impaired children

TEA investigating Fort Bend ISD over claims related to electioneering, open meetings act violations

STAAR test results help Refugio ISD target areas of need

Cleveland ISD superintendent facing unexpected removal amid board dispute; may cost District $800K

Princeton Study: Private school tuitions rise after state voucher rollout

Private schools raising tuition costs after school voucher bill passes

Princeton study confirms Iowa voucher program led to tuition increases

Alpine ISD receives ‘historic’ $575,000 investment amid state funding shortage

Texas education board members vow to keep PragerU out of public schools after one state official went rogue

Source of La Joya ISD’s public office ban a costly mystery for taxpayers

State Education Board Addresses TX’s Falling Math Scores

Texas State Board of Education representative stepping in amidst lawsuit at Lorena ISD

ISD Accuses Paxton of Playing Politics With Electioneering Suit

Houston ISD parent files complaint against administrator who made ‘scoreboard’ remarks at meeting

Pre-K classes: To enhance or eliminate? Killeen school board members considering changes

Conroe ISD board rejects resolutions, waits for legal decision on Title IX changes

Floresville ISD explores random drug testing

Mansfield ISD discussing pronouns, name changes, bathrooms and outing students to their parents

Christian-based nonprofit threatens to remove Fort Worth ISD trustees over “pornographic” books

Texas doesn’t fund special education enough — and it’s hurting districts’ pockets

Clear Creek ISD to contribute more toward health care premiums as costs increase for staff

Religious Charter School Is Unconstitutional, Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules

Waco ISD takes over its school bus operation

WHEELS ON THE BUS: Comal ISD event highlights impact made by its drivers

SBOE Discusses Clarifying Regulations on School Materials

Texas Democrats Rally Against Far-Right SBOE at Convention

Texas school officials skeptical that curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders are promising

Supreme Court Opens a Path to Religious Charter Schools

Many Houston charter schools are violating state transparency laws. Here’s why it’s an issue

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board to Debate Increased Control Over Library Content Amidst Policy Change Considerations

Superintendents question automated grading system, giving thousands of students zeros on a portion of STAAR test

Ohio spent nearly $1B on private school vouchers. Who did they benefit?

Texas public schools want to teach Bible stories. Should they?

Fort Worth ISD dips into reserves to cover nearly $17.7M in raises for teachers, staff

Dallas ISD may soon give classes to parents when students misbehave

Grandfalls-Royalty ISD delivers water, donations to Sanderson tornado victims

Lawsuit filed challenging Arkansas school voucher program created by 2023 law

Biden’s Title IX Transgender Guidelines For Public Schools Blocked By Texas Judge

Texas schools face layoffs as budget crisis deepens without state funding

Four Texas House Republicans Censured For Campaigning Against Incumbents

Austin ISD Budget Shortfall Could Put School Closures on the Table

Pecos Barstow Toyah ISD utilizes mental health app for students 4th through 12th grade

Inaccessible private schools or underfunded public schools: Texas’ disabled students have few options with no change in sight

I am an HISD teacher. After a year of disrespect, I am ready to leave.

2024 Texas Democratic Party Convention: Education, women’s rights key to turning Texas blue

ACLU files complaints against Princeton ISD, accusing it of discriminating against LGBTQ groups

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Denison ISD

Fort Worth ISD No Longer Projects Balanced Budget for 2024–2025 After Vote on Compensation Package

TEA Appoints Conservator To Oversee San Antonio’s Great Hearts Texas Charter Network Amid Compliance Issues

Dark Money Ran Through Texas’s Runoffs and Probably Just Delivered Win for Private School Vouchers

How did Pearland ISD end up with a budget surplus while other school districts are facing deficits?

Bastrop ISD issues trespassing warning after mother claims her girls were bullied

Study links state ESA program to spike in Iowa K-12 private school tuition

Louisiana backs spending more public dollars on private schools, but it won’t just yet

Education savings accounts, school choice, vouchers whatever you call it Abbott says it’s inevitable

Houston area officials call for end of Texas Education Agency’s takeover of Houston ISD

Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchers

School vouchers winning issue in Texas? How GOP primary challengers are using political ads

State Senator calls Gov. Greg Abbott a ‘piece of s***’ for not publicly mentioning Uvalde shooting

Hundreds gather for district-wide protest against HISD outside of city hall

Houston ISD Board approves terminations of principal, teachers

Carroll ISD becomes the first to sue feds for Title IX change

She Campaigned for a Texas School Board Seat as a GOP Hard-Liner. Now She’s Rejecting Her Party’s Extremism

Abbott targets anti-voucher incumbent in Texas House District 33 Republican primary runoff

Inside Texas Politics | Full interview with Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde

More Houston ISD parents protest over principals reportedly being forced out

Texas lawmakers call for special session on education funding. Why Gov. Abbott is resisting

Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of state

Parents pressure Denton ISD to address bullying at school board meeting

Former Arlington private school administrator arrested for sex with student

Gov. Abbott on Texas public school funding

Governor Greg Abbott on Education Savings Accounts

VERIFY | Did Texas lawmakers vote to kill public education bill like Abbott says?

Democrats call for special session in letter to Gov. Greg Abbott after drastic school budget cuts

Socorro ISD board members Barrera, Castellano arrested, along with Castellano’s wife

Feds investigate another Texas school district for its gender identity mandate

The ‘Remnant Alliance’ Is Coming for a School Board Near You – The Texas Observer

USDA Announces Historic Changes Coming to Texas School Lunches

Southeast Texas Schools Shut Amid Floods, Sam Houston State University Closes Doors

Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System (T-TESS) Updates for Appraisers and Trainers

Educational Savings Accounts in Texas

Comal ISD eyes new model for special education staffing

Abbott Confident School Choice Will Pass Next Session

Top Abbott Strategist Admits Governor Lied About Darby

Gov. Greg Abbott discusses school voucher push, Texas GOP division

Gov. Greg Abbott ‘certain’ school vouchers will pass

SBOE instructs SBEC to do a better job pursuing a Texas-specific pedagogy test

BlackRock Allegedly Outright Lies to TX Officials

Two Denton school district principals indicted on charges of illegal electioneering

We asked 14 HISD students how school has changed under a year of Mike Miles’ leadership

School voucher proponents spend big to overcome rural resistance

Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton Are Purging the Texas GOP

As Arizona Probes School Choice Fraud, Advocates Dismiss Scheme as ‘Inside Job’

Texas Education Agency Initiates Marlin ISD Board Transition

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