What to know before applying for Texas’ education savings accounts next year

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them. The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4. Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Counters Abbott’s Plan to Reduce Property Taxes

Gov. Greg Abbott, meanwhile, has proposed tackling rising appraisals and local tax increases. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a property tax reform plan aimed at increasing the homestead exemption for millions of Texas homeowners. The plan falls short of many of the elements of the property tax cut proposal introduced by Gov. Greg Abbott just last month. At a Tuesday press conference, Patrick outlined reforms that build on past efforts to raise homestead exemptions. He also introduced a new initiative known as “Operation Double Nickel.”
How Odyssey rose from tech startup to manager of Texas’ $1B school voucher program

When Texas chose a company to roll out the state’s $1 billion private school voucher program, it passed over more established vendors in favor of a four-year-old tech startup that said it could do it for almost half the cost. Now, Odyssey must execute on its promises to meet an aggressive timeline while avoiding missteps that have dogged other program launches. The New York-based company has rapidly expanded in recent years, launching programs in eight states that subsidize students’ private education costs with taxpayer dollars.
Paxton Launches Financial Transparency Investigation Into Nearly 1,000 Cities

Attorney General Ken Paxton is escalating his confrontation with local governments over property tax compliance, launching a sweeping investigation into nearly 1,000 Texas cities. This comes just months after previously ordering four municipalities to pause their newly adopted tax rates amid allegations of audit violations. Paxton’s office said the widened review is aimed at ensuring strict adherence to Senate Bill 1851, the new state law that bars any city out of audit compliance from raising property taxes above the no-new-revenue rate.
UNT is the first college in the state to get a naloxone vending machine

The University of North Texas is the first public college in Texas to get a free naloxone vending machine, and Regan Browne, director of the Recovery and Intervention Support and Education Center — called RISE — considers it a win. Browne is new to the director’s chair at RISE, and she was among locals who attended the unveiling of a naloxone vending machine at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, a storied Denton music venue, in June. A teen survived an overdose there in April because a quick-thinking patron knew the signs and administered naloxone, the generic form of the brand-name drug Narcan. Naloxone is a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of opioids, even a potentially lethal dose.
A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.

Dozens of new Texas laws will take effect in December and January, bringing wide-ranging changes to the state’s education system, law enforcement, taxes and more. Over 800 laws from this year’s regular legislative session already took effect on Sept. 1, but more measures from that period as well as the second special session will soon activate. Some also had to wait for voters’ approval, such as more tax exemption for businesses’ inventory.

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The federal shutdown will halt November SNAP benefits. Here’s what you need to know.

October 2805:00 AM

In Texas, 3.5 million Texans — including 1.7 million children — rely on SNAP, also referred to as food stamps, each month. view article

ELECTION 2025 | Fund for dementia research among proposed Texas constitutional amendments

October 2805:00 AM

The establishment of state-funded research into dementia and similar maladies is one of 17 propositions before Texas voters next week in the general election. If approved, the amendment would create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the related Dementia Prevention and Research Fund. The fund would receive an initial injection of $3 billion from the state's general revenue to support research into dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and related disorders. The institute was proposed by the state Senate during the 89th Legislature. Besides supporting therapies, the fund would back public and private research grants and the purchase or construction of facilities for the institute. view article

Here are Houston ISD’s top elementary and middle schools for 2026, according to a new ranking

October 2805:00 AM

Houston ISD's T.H. Rogers School ranks as the No. 2 middle school in Texas, according to newly released ratings from U.S. News & World Report. Ten HISD schools — including two K-8 campuses, four elementary schools and four middle schools — made the top 100 in Texas on the outlet's 2026 Best K-8 Schools list. T.H. Rogers, which serves gifted and talented students as well as students with multiple impairments, landed in the top 20 for its elementary and middle school programs. T.H. Rogers trailed behind only Dallas ISD's William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted for the state's top middle school slot. Like Travis, T.H. Rogers hosts students within the district's Vanguard program for gifted and talented children. The campus also serves students in the district's program that prepares children with disabilities for independence. view article

For reasons in and out of its control, AISD enrollment falls to 30-year low

October 2805:00 AM

Jessy Reyes didn’t go looking for the neighborhood charter school. Her daughter enjoyed sixth grade at the Austin school district’s Dobie Middle School, where she made friends, learned from her teachers and joined the school band. But in the spring, after hearing from administrators that Dobie could close, Reyes thought she had no other option. She found a charter school and enrolled her daughter there for seventh grade. view article

When is daylight saving time 2025?

October 2805:00 AM

When is daylight saving time 2025? view article

Texas ranked 3rd least safe state in U.S., WalletHub safety report says. See which is safest

October 2805:00 AM

Texas ranked 3rd least safe state in U.S., WalletHub safety report says. See which is safest The 2025 "Safest States in America" report ranked Texas 48th out of 50, ahead of only Arkansas and Louisiana. view article

Dallas pediatrician sued over providing hormone treatments to teens surrenders medical license

October 2708:48 AM

A Dallas pediatrician has surrendered her medical license, a year after becoming the first target of a law that banned providing gender-transitioning hormones to minors. Last October, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against adolescent medicine physician May Lau for prescribing testosterone to at least 21 patients. Her license was cancelled by her request early this month, according to the Texas Medical Board. In a statement to The Texas Tribune, Lau maintained her innocence. “Dr. Lau decided to move her medical practice to Oregon and saw no reason to continue to maintain her Texas license,” according to a statement provided by her attorney Craig Smyser. “ view article

Texas braces for surge in power demand amid population and industry boom

October 2708:33 AM

At a Texas Tribune event Thursday, energy experts discussed how the state’s growing energy demands will impact residential bills and how legislation is trying to regulate new big energy users. At a Texas Tribune event Thursday, energy experts discussed how the state’s growing energy demands will impact residential bills and how legislation is trying to regulate new big energy users. Texas is preparing for an unprecedented surge in electricity demand, with projections showing the need for nearly double the state grid’s power capacity within the next six years. The state’s main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas or ERCOT, attributes the forecast in part to a wave of large-scale industrial development from data centers, hydrogen production and oil and gas operations transitioning to electrification. Population growth and extreme weather events also contribute to the state’s increasing energy needs. Despite a 30% increase in generation capacity over the past four years — largely driven by the growth of solar, wind, and battery storage — energy experts who gathered at a Texas Tribune event at Dallas College at the Cedar Valley campus Thursday said the grid must adapt fast to meet growing demand. They said the state’s big challenges include legislative uncertainties and keeping residents’ electric bills from skyrocketing. view article

Celina ISD Faces State Criminal Inquiry Over Claimed Coverup of Coach Preying on Boys

October 2708:31 AM

AG Ken Paxton said his office will investigate the district’s alleged coverup of Coach Caleb Elliott’s sexual misconduct after State Rep. Jeff Leach asked him to intervene. Embattled Celina Independent School District now faces a state criminal investigation into claims that administrators covered up a coach’s past predatory behavior toward male students, enabling him to record undressed middle school boys in the locker room. On Friday, Paxton posted to X that his office is investigating. view article

How Odyssey rose from tech startup to manager of Texas’ $1B school voucher program

October 2708:30 AM

When Texas chose a company to roll out the state’s $1 billion private school voucher program, it passed over more established vendors in favor of a four-year-old tech startup that said it could do it for almost half the cost. Now, Odyssey must execute on its promises to meet an aggressive timeline while avoiding missteps that have dogged other program launches. The New York-based company has rapidly expanded in recent years, launching programs in eight states that subsidize students’ private education costs with taxpayer dollars. view article

Major hurricane Melissa projected to make landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, en route to Cuba

October 2708:30 AM

Hurricane Melissa, which formed Saturday, is expected to remain a powerful major hurricane when it makes landfall in Jamaica Monday night or Tuesday morning and southeastern Cuba late Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday. As of 11 a.m. Sunday, the rotating center of Melissa was about 110 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, and creeping west at 3 mph. The Category 4 hurricane was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. Hurricane-force winds (74 mph or stronger) extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm winds (39-73 mph) extend outward up to 175 miles. view article

‘I Am Committed’: Dr. King Davis Says Passion for Children is at the Heart of Killeen ISD Future

October 2708:25 AM

Superintendent Lone Finalist Dr. King Davis and Board President Brett E. Williams sat down with Jasmin Caldwell from 6 News KCEN TV to talk about the future of Killeen ISD and Dr. Davis’ unwavering dedication for the success of our communities’ students and families. Dr. Davis’s words reflect more than just the role, he reflects on a calling to serve, lead with heart, and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you, 6 News KCEN TV, for capturing this inspiring testimony to Dr. Davis’ commitment to serving our community with heart, transparency, and vision. view article

Federal Judge Declares Texas’ Book Vendor Rating Requirements Unconstitutional

October 2705:00 AM

U.S. District Judge Alan D. Albright declared certain provisions of Texas’ READER Act unconstitutional and blocked the state from enforcing it. House Bill 900—also known as the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources Act (READER)—was passed in 2023 and required vendors to rate books sold to Texas schools based on sexual content. The purpose was to ensure schools removed books labeled “sexually explicit” by vendors. The law was to take effect on September 1, 2023, but the rating provisions were temporarily blocked by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division) before it could be enforced. Tuesday’s ruling—in the same federal court—permanently blocks the state from enforcing the book-rating provisions of the law, pending appeal. view article

Alamo Trust CEO Resigns After ‘Misaligned’ Messaging

October 2705:00 AM

The Alamo Trust has come under fire in recent weeks for promoting political narratives at odds with the site’s history. view article

Parents push back as Grapevine-Colleyville ISD considers closing elementary schools amid enrollment drop

October 2408:42 AM

Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District parents packed a board meeting Monday night to push back against potential elementary school closures. The district recently shared seven proposals with families, each involving closing one or two campuses. Schools named in the scenarios include Dove, Colleyville, Bear Creek, Bransford and Glen Hope. Many parents said they felt blindsided. view article

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TEA letter shows key differences between Houston, Fort Worth ISD takeovers

October 2408:35 AM

As Fort Worth ISD prepares to possibly lose local control of its schools, Houston ISD is in its third year of state oversight. On Wednesday, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath sent a letter to the Fort Worth ISD board of trustees and Superintendent Karen Molinar informing them of his decision to appoint a board of managers, conservator and superintendent to lead the district. view article

TEA takes over Fort Worth ISD, says school board ‘failed the students’

October 2408:35 AM

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath says he's ordering the appointment of a conservator and a board of managers to govern the Fort Worth ISD after the school board "failed the students" and didn't implement changes that improved their performance for several consecutive years. view article

After state takeover, Fort Worth ISD superintendent uses one word to describe district’s main goal and future

October 2408:35 AM

After months of anticipation, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has officially announced a state takeover of Fort Worth ISD. “It’s been a long day,” Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar said. “Focused. I think that’s the right word—really focused right now on making sure our students are kept at the forefront.” view article

Texas severe storms threaten Austin: Here’s how much rain to expect and when it’s coming

October 2408:30 AM

wAfter more than a month without meaningful rain in Austin, our first real chance has finally arrived and the weather this weekend comes with a serious threat of severe thunderstorms and possible flooding across Texas. view article

Centerville ISD superintendent placed on leave following indictment

October 2408:29 AM

It was an eventful night for Centerville ISD as school trustees met for the first time since Superintendent Carole Dickey was indicted earlier this month. During Thursday night’s meeting, the Centerville ISD Board of Trustees voted to place Dickey on administrative leave with pay, effective immediately. The move comes after she was indicted on charges accusing her of failing to report an alleged inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student to the state. view article

Is Mike Miles finally letting go? HISD’s top schools could soon run themselves.

October 2408:28 AM

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles could give the district's top-performing high schools more freedom—a move that could mark a significant shift in how the district operates. The initiative, called Level 5 autonomy, targets high schools that have maintained an A rating for at least four years and demonstrated narrow achievement gaps on the STAAR exams. If approved, eligible schools could make more independent decisions about curriculum, staffing, calendars, and operations while remaining part of the HISD system. view article

Houston ISD’s special education office cuts about 50 employees as part of reorganization

October 2408:25 AM

Houston ISD is cutting about 50 employees under the office of special education as part of a reorganization that moves the division into the department of academics. HISD said Thursday the cuts mostly affect staff directors and coordinators who don't work directly with students in the classroom. The last day for employees working on campuses is Nov. 3. The employees are eligible to reapply for other positions in the district, according to the statement. view article

Groveton ISD responds to KBTX reporting of Centerville ISD investigation

October 2408:25 AM

The Groveton school district in Trinity County has formally responded to KBTX’s reporting of an investigation involving Centerville ISD’s superintendent. In our reporting, KBTX confirmed Centerville ISD Superintendent Carole Dickey was indicted by a grand jury this month on a charge of failing to notify the Texas Education Agency of an educator accused of having a romantic relationship with a student. view article

New Braunfels ISD libraries to reopen Monday, 81 books flagged for further review

October 2408:21 AM

Dozens of people spoke at a special-called New Braunfels ISD board meeting after the closure of middle and high school libraries in the district. view article

Victims sue Celina ISD, claiming district hid coach’s history of sexual misconduct

October 2408:20 AM

Attorneys, representing several Celina ISD victims, say the school district had evidence that a coach was a sexual predator, but he was allowed to keep his job. view article

Former Hondo ISD teacher arrested, accused of improper relationship with student, police say

October 2408:18 AM

A former Hondo High School teacher arrested on multiple charges Thursday is accused of having an improper relationship with a student, according to police. Thomas William Ricker Hill, 24, was taken into custody for indecency with a child by sexual contact, sexual performance by a child and improper relationship between educator and student, police said. Hill was later booked into the Medina County jail. view article

Alvarado ISD Teacher Murder: Affidavit reveals suicide threats, explicit texts & strangulation

October 2408:16 AM

A domestic disturbance in Alvarado on a Thursday escalated into a murder investigation the very next day, which led to the arrest of Brandon Ashley about 180 miles away. view article

Richardson ISD alerts parents after 2 students charged in two separate incidents

October 2408:12 AM

A mother wants accountability from Richardson ISD after her son was stabbed Wednesday morning by another student with a paring knife. Following the incident with her son, the district also revealed another student was caught on campus with a firearm in a separate incident on the same day. Lonnieshi Dollarhide spoke to us at Parkland Hospital, where her son JaeShon is recovering from his injuries. It started with an early morning phone call. view article

Mother says Fort Bend ISD delayed action after son’s alleged assault at elementary school

October 2408:10 AM

Fort Bend Independent School District is facing criticism from a mother who says the district delayed action after her first-grade son was allegedly sexually assaulted by fellow students at Rosa Parks Elementary School. The mother, who requested anonymity to protect her child’s privacy, said the incident occurred on Sept. 28. view article

Indigenous Peoples Day post revives debate over how the Alamo’s history should be told

October 2405:00 AM

On the second Monday of October, the historic Alamo’s official X account posted two messages: one wishing its followers a happy Columbus Day, and another recognizing Indigenous people. “Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples and their communities, recognizing their history at the Alamo,” the second post read. “Opening in 2027, the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum will feature an Indigenous Peoples Gallery, celebrating the bands, clans and tribes that shaped the region. #IndigenousPeoplesDay.” By Tuesday morning, after a swift and aggressive rebuke by Republican Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, whose agency oversees the Alamo, only the Columbus Day post remained up. view article

Texas education chief’s news conference comes as FWISD awaits decision on takeover

October 2405:00 AM

Plans for flood warning system floundered before Hill Country floods, witnesses tell legislative flood committee

October 2405:00 AM

Lawmakers serving on special committees investigating deadly floods blasted a river authority for failing to build a flood warning system on the Guadalupe River. Texas legislators on Wednesday lambasted a local river authority for a decision last year not to move ahead with pursuing a flood warning system — a decision that Republican Sen. Paul Bettencourt from Houston declared was “pathetic.” view article

Last Day for Early Voting

October 2404:00 AM

For general elections in Texas, the last day for early voting in person is Friday, October 31, 2025. Early in-person voting for this election begins on October 20, 2025.

Conroe ISD updates policies based on Texas laws, making some even more restrictive

October 2308:40 AM

After several months of discussion, members of the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees approved changes to several district policies to comply with new legislation, but went a step further than some of those Texas laws. Some changes are due to new legislation, while others are clarifications of existing district policies. In November, the board will adopt 12 more new or updated policies, Superintendent David Vinson said. The new Senate Bill 12 prohibits assisting students with "social transitioning," which is defined as adopting a different name or pronouns to express a gender identity different from their biological sex at birth. view article

Texas education chief’s news conference comes as FWISD awaits decision on takeover

October 2308:38 AM

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath is holding a news conference Thursday morning. Texas Education Agency officials did not provide details about what Morath will discuss with reporters. The Fort Worth Report will provide updates following the call. In a Wednesday evening statement, FWISD officials said they were aware of a possible announcement about the district. “When the Texas Education Agency issues its official announcement, Fort Worth ISD will review it immediately and share verified information, beginning with our staff and families,” the statement reads. “Our focus remains on our students by providing uninterrupted learning. We are grateful to our educators and staff for their continuous commitment to our students and families.” On Tuesday, Morath was in the area as he toured schools in Lake Worth ISD, one of two Tarrant County districts facing a potential state takeover. He indicated his decision on Lake Worth schools would be made once the district’s appeals conclude in December. view article

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TexasISD.com was the brainchild of Joe F. Smith. Joe retired early from a successful career as Superintendent of Schools for Hudson ISD, deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Due to a long battle with Post-Polio Syndrome the doctor made him hang it up and rest for six months. Never being the kind of person to sit still and also not being the person to listen to his doctor, Joe logged lengthy sessions in front of his PC researching school issues, reading papers and corresponding with his friends and colleagues in the education business.

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