Texas Schools

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD likely won’t avert a budget deficit for the 2025-26 school year — even with the Texas Legislature’s proposed increases to public education funding.

Months after passing sweeping changes to its reappraisal plan, the Tarrant Appraisal District board will meet March 12 to discuss whether some of those changes should be walked back. The meeting follows outcry from school district leaders who say the policies could lead to funding cuts.

The Ponder ISD school board recently voted unanimously to move to a four-day school week in 2025-26. Superintendent James Hill said the vote has already made phones ring with good news: Teachers on the job hunt are asking if there are positions open.

Families participating in the program could receive about 85% of the amount public schools collect for each attending student from the state and local sources.

The Tarrant County government Feb. 19 committed to helping school districts boost literacy rates. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution underlining the county government’s support and issuing a call of action for all 20 school districts to introduce plans ensuring students can read at grade level.

Argyle voters considered a $511.5 million bond election last year. When they went to the polls, they rejected two packages and green-lighted the third.

The ACLU and a coalition of other groups sent a letter to superintendents and school boards last week telling them not to adopt the state's new Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, which critics say emphasizes Christianity over other religions.

Changes to state standardized tests have made it difficult to compare how Texas students are doing in school in recent years, but national tests known as the Nation’s Report Card can provide clarity.