Hey y’all!

This week, we’ll take a look at changes coming to the University of North Texas as Republican lawmakers continue to reshape higher education across the state, and you’ll also find an update on Fort Worth ISD’s state takeover.

I’m also excited to introduce a new section to The TexEd Report—the Student Spotlight—where I’ll share uplifting or unique stories about what students are up to across Texas. (Spoiler alert: If you’re a fan of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” podcasts, and cute kiddos, today’s feature is bound to make you smile.)

And if you have someone in mind to feature in upcoming editions, reach out!

Finally, we’ll wrap up this month’s banned book club. Got a suggestion on what we should read in April? Let me know.

If you missed last week’s edition, be sure to read it here.

Photo via Shutterstock

Several ethnic and gender studies programs are on the chopping block at the University of North Texas as the institution plans to cut or consolidate over 70 programs to combat a $45 million budget deficit driven by declining international student enrollment. 

The university plans to cut four master’s programs, two undergraduate majors, and 25 undergraduate minors, along with over 40 graduate and undergraduate certificates. See the full list here.

While current students can finish their degrees, new students can’t enroll in any programs slated to close.

Photo via AP/Courtesy of Peter Licata

Five months after announcing a state takeover of Fort Worth Independent School District, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath has appointed Peter Licata as its new superintendent. 

The state intervened at the district after one of its campuses—Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center—received a failing accountability rating for five consecutive school years from 2018-2023.

Licata previously oversaw Broward County Public Schools in South Florida during the 2023-24 school year. There, he led the district to its first state “A” rating in more than 14 years, according to the TEA. He later resigned and stepped away from day-to-day leadership, citing health concerns.

He’ll replace Karen Molinar, who served as Fort Worth ISD’s interim superintendent since October 2024 and worked for the district for over 30 years.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Licata called Fort Worth ISD’s performance data “depressing” and “offensive,” and said that this is an opportunity to bring his skills “to a place that deserves the best.”

Photo via Getty Images

Second graders from Heritage Elementary School are bringing their book reports to a whole new audience with “Only Readers in the Building,” a new podcast that teaches parents and children about new books and helps foster a love for reading and literacy.

The twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Christi Cooper, who teaches second grade at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD’s Heritage Elementary School. Cooper interviews one of her students about a book they recently read and loved in four to seven minute episodes.

🏫Texas accepts Islamic private schools into voucher program following lawsuit: Several Islamic private schools have been accepted into Texas’ $1 billion voucher program after suing the state’s comptroller office for initially excluding their institutions from the program.⁣ (KVUE)

🏳️‍🌈SBOE urges Austin ISD to cancel Pride Week amid new state law: The Texas State Board of Education is calling on the district to get rid of the themed week altogether because of Senate Bill 12, which bans all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public schools. (CBS Austin)

📘TEA orders public schools to remove Cesar Chavez from all state curriculum: The Texas Education Agency on Monday directed all public schools in the state to revise lesson plans to remove mentions of Cesar Chavez, a labor unionist and political activist, after sexual abuse allegations. (The Texas Tribune)

It’s the last week of March, which means it’s the last week we’ll be reading “The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas.  Here are some final questions to consider as you wrap up the book:

1. How do concerns about “critical race theory” intersect with objections to this novel?

2. What is Thomas ultimately saying about the power of youth voices?

3. If a school board claims the book is “too political,” how would you respond?

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