La Porte ISD on May 11 handed out $210,230 to teachers across the district, celebrating its first cohort of Teacher Incentive Allotment. These payouts from the state were awarded to educators who earned TIA designations through the state’s strategic compensation program for their impact on student learning and achievement. The TIA, established by the Texas Education Agency, rewards highly effective teachers who demonstrate strong instructional practices and measurable student growth. Educators may earn Recognized, Exemplary, or Master designations through locally developed systems approved by the state. “These educators are making a tremendous difference in the lives of our students every day,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Walter Jackson. “The Teacher Incentive Allotment program allows us to recognize and reward excellence in the classroom while supporting our efforts to recruit and retain outstanding teachers across La Porte ISD.” District officials say the program continues to strengthen classroom instruction and student outcomes by investing directly in high-performing educators. Through TIA funding, qualifying teachers receive additional compensation tied to their designation level and campus needs. La Porte ISD remains committed to expanding opportunities for teachers through strategic compensation initiatives and ensuring students benefit from exceptional instruction in every classroom. view article

Fairview leaders are again asking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reconsider the height of the 120-foot-tall temple it’s building in the Collin County town, over a year after the Town Council granted the church a permit for the disputed steeple.   The town and church fell into bitter disagreement over the temple’s size, which in 2024 was originally planned to rise more than 170 feet, higher than any other structure in Fairview. After a denied permit, threats of a lawsuit, mediation, an approved permit and a lawsuit from residents, construction began on the temple in February  view article

Texas voters have listed immigration and border security among their top issues for years, but recent polling found they are less of a priority than at any point in recent history. view article

(Sponsored) When Toyota Motor North America relocated its headquarters to Plano in 2014, it quickly partnered with Plano Independent School District to expand and strengthen science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Toyota’s latest grant focuses on career and technical education, specifically STEM opportunities for high school students, with the goal of helping close the STEM skills gap. view article

When is San Antonio in the same sentence as cities like San Francisco, Tokyo, Madrid, London and Nairobi?  That’s what happened last week when Bloomberg Philanthropies announced Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones as a member of its new AI Mayors Forum, an international group of city leaders focused on artificial intelligence and community needs and resilience.  Jones will sit down with the mayors of nine other cities — the aforementioned ones plus Bogota, Kyiv, Buenos Aires and Boston — to provide input on the adoption of AI in major cities. view article

Older Texans have profoundly shaped our beloved state. Their legacy is one that honors the spirit of our great state as they have worked hard, cared for their loved ones, and set an example for the next generation of Texas leaders. Today, as a result of medical, technological, and economic progress, Texans lead longer lives than ever before, and we must support older Texans as best we can. As thousands celebrate their sixty-fifth birthday, the proportion of older individuals within our population continuously increases. They are parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors, and friends, and they have built and sustained the great Texas Miracle; they therefore deserve our steadfast support in their golden years.  view article

Dallas leaders want to cut $2.6 million from the city's library budget without closing any libraries. Their latest plan would slash dozens of jobs and designate five libraries as flagship hubs while others operate with reduced hours and staff.  A proposal from city staff in January suggested closing four neighborhood libraries across the city while adopting the regional flagship model. But the idea of closing libraries didn’t fly with council members and residents. view article

Houston school administrators say the move would give children who need the support more focused attention. But the U.S. Department of Education worries the plan amounts to segregation. view article

This '90s stoner trend is now the latest Gen Z obsession: the hacky sack  Hacky sacks are the hot new trend sweeping high schools this spring. They were a symbol of Gen X stoners in the '90s.   Teens are starting clubs at school and making ironic social media pages about their new hobby.  The sudden fad started just a few weeks ago, and the footbags are sold out in many places.  Why did hacky sacks appeal to Gen X?  What drives Gen Z's nostalgia for '90s?  How do social media trends evolve? view article

Dallas leaders want to cut $2.6 million from the city's library budget without closing any libraries. Their latest plan would slash dozens of jobs and designate five libraries as flagship hubs while others operate with reduced hours and staff.  A proposal from city staff in January suggested closing four neighborhood libraries across the city while adopting the regional flagship model. But the idea of closing libraries didn’t fly with council members and residents. view article

Midland ISD held a TIA Big Check Tour on Friday, visiting campuses to deliver checks to teachers who earned the Teacher Incentive Allotment designation. The school district recognized 387 teachers, awarding a total of $3.8 million for their effectiveness and performance. view article

The Texas Education Agency closed its investigation into Bellaire High School without finding district-level wrongdoing, according to records released this week. This wraps up a case that drew statewide attention after a Houston mother alleged her daughter was being secretly addressed by a different name and pronouns without her knowledge or consent. The investigation was ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott in February 2025, following a school board meeting where Denise Bell, chair of the Harris County chapter of Moms for Liberty, testified on behalf of an anonymous parent. view article

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has ordered a Richardson-based institution calling itself “Texas American Muslim University at Dallas” to immediately cease operations, saying it has been illegally offering higher education programs in Texas without state authorization.  The “TexAM University at Dallas” or “Texas American Muslim University” (TexAM) has been marketing itself as a new Islamic-centered university offering STEM degree programs combined with mandatory Islamic studies coursework. view article

About 550 more students living in Austin Independent School District boundaries have been awarded a Texas Education Freedom Account, or private school voucher, according to numbers released by Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts on Monday. view article

The Lake Worth ISD boardroom was quiet Wednesday night — no public comment, no speakers at the podium. In the audience, three elected trustees watched as the district’s new state-appointed board of managers took control and immediately made its priority clear.  “This new governance team is committed to focusing unrelentingly on improving student outcomes,” new board President Tom Harris said.  The special meeting marked the first gathering under the new board of managers and superintendent installed by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, who shifted decision-making authority away from locally elected trustees after years of low academic performance.   Managers focused on establishing the foundation for the work ahead, including electing board officers, suspending some policies and approving a short-term contract with Superintendent Ena Meyers. view article

A Houston high school culinary club was "ecstatic" when two members qualified for a state competition. But that excitement quickly faded after the Houston Independent School District reportedly denied them the chance to attend—something that students, parents and advocates say reflects an ongoing pattern. view article

A North Texas school district closed campuses and postponed a scheduled school board meeting following severe weather that caused widespread damage and power outages across the community. view article

A motorcyclist was critically injured after crashing into the back of an East Central Independent School District school bus on the Southeast Side, according to the San Antonio Police Department. The crash happened just before 2 p.m. Monday in the 3300 block of South W.W. White Road. view article

An Oklahoma high school principal was crowned prom king just weeks after he was shot and wounded while stopping a gunman in the lobby of the campus. According to NBC affiliate KTEN in Oklahoma, students at Pauls Valley High School surprised Kirk Moore with the touching tribute during their prom on Friday. Video from the event shows students cheering for Moore and giving him high-fives as he walks through the crowd at the dance to the tune of the Nickelback song "Hero." view article

The camp, organized through the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine, provided students with early exposure to medical, nursing and allied health professions. Participants engaged in hands-on activities, connected with faculty and explored educational pathways designed to prepare them for careers in healthcare. Some of the topics covered were head-to-toe health assessments, bandaging and basic life support measures. view article

Ariah studies on her tablet, using Khan Academy as she sits on a narrow bunk bed in a compact, utilitarian room, the only other fixtures a steel toilet and wall-mounted table and chairs. It is her goal to earn her GED in hopes of finding a job after she leaves the Kent County Correctional Facility. view article

It’s no surprise that I believe our district is home to exceptional teachers and high academic standards. But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to supporting every aspect of each student’s growth and well-being. Beyond the classroom, our students benefit from the generosity and dedication of our staff, PTA, Partners in Education Foundation, Booster Clubs, and our many business and faith partners. Together, they help meet a wide range of student needs and create a community of support. Here are just a few examples of the incredible people who give so selflessly to support our students. view article

Springtown Independent School District announced it would be closed Monday, April 27, citing significant storm impacts on local families, including damage to homes and infrastructure and ongoing power outages. District officials said the school board meeting originally set for April 27 has been rescheduled to Monday, May 4. view article

Dallas leaders revised a police policy to clarify cooperation with federal immigration authorities after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold funding. The state has since extended a deadline as both sides respond and community groups weigh in. NBC 5’s Candace Sweat has more. view article

Dallas leaders revised a police policy to clarify cooperation with federal immigration authorities after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold funding. The state has since extended a deadline as both sides respond and community groups weigh in. NBC 5’s Candace Sweat has more. view article

A Longview nurse practitioner and an educator for Longview ISD died following a head-on crash in the Diana area early Sunday. The wreck happened on Highway 259 in the Diana area at about 3 a.m. Hospitality Health Nurse Practitioner Joel Mack and LISD Foster Middle School Teacher were both killed in the crash. According to a DPS report, Joel Mack was northbound on U.S. 259 at 3 a.m. when he was struck head-on by an SUV driven by Kimberly Law. Law died at the scene, and Mack was taken to a hospital, where he died. view article

A Longview ISD teacher who died in a wreck early Sunday was driving on the wrong side of the road when she struck another car, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Kimberly Law, a teacher at Foster Middle School, died in the wreck, which occurred about 3 a.m. Sunday on U.S. 259. view article

Killeen Independent School District’s Chaparral High School has been named a Premier Community for Theatre Education, a national distinction presented by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) to schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement in providing meaningful, high quality theatre education and access for all students. view article

The attorney general’s office is also investigating.   Between May and October 2025, TEA received multiple complaints from current and former Plano ISD parents and a former trustee alleging antisemitic incidents, including classroom content, comments by teachers, student walkouts, bullying, and scheduling events on Jewish holy days.  view article

A Spring ISD teacher was arrested after leading police on a chase and running from officers while half naked, according to authorities. Tyler Canada, 32, is charged with evading arrest with a vehicle and evading arrest. He appeared in court on Saturday. view article

Before the new land opens to visitors, agency staff will conduct natural and cultural resource surveys to shape long-term management plans. Officials also said future public meetings will be held so residents and park visitors can weigh in on what comes next.  Possible future uses for the added acreage include camping, hiking and biking, though the state said planning could take months and no opening date has been announced.

The revised policy took effect immediately.  Houston City Council voted 13-4 Wednesday to approve Mayor John Whitmire’s amended immigration ordinance, purportedly bringing an end to a weeks-long standoff with the state over more than $100 million in frozen public safety funding.  City Attorney Arturo Michel said the amendment, which took effect immediately, makes no major changes to the original measure. He added that the revised language was negotiated directly between the mayor’s office and the governor’s Public Safety Office.  Wednesday’s vote was not a repeal but an amendment, which meant Whitmire only needed 9 of 17 council votes rather than the 12 required to fully rescind the policy under city rules. Council members Alejandra Salinas, Abbie Kamin, Edward Pollard, and Tiffany Thomas voted against the measure. view article

Fort Worth ISD announced Wednesday that it is launching automatic pay raises for classroom teachers, something the district said reinforces one of its key pillars. In a news release shared with CBS News Texas, the district said teachers who work directly in a classroom with children as the teacher of record will get an automatic 5% salary increase for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The district also said the action behind the raises is "being taken without delay and without waiting for lengthy negotiations". view article

Early voting closed Tuesday in D-FW for San Jacinto Day. What is it?  During the 14th Texas Legislature, April 21 was legally marked as a day to honor those who fought for the state's independence.  view article

The Florence Independent School District canceled school for elementary students on Tuesday due to a power outage. A message that was posted on the district’s website Tuesday morning read, “Florence Elementary is closed today due to a power outage that began at 4:30 AM. No estimated restoration time from Oncor. Middle and High School will operate on normal schedules.” view article