Good afternoon, y’all!

Did you know there’s an election happening right now in Texas? Early voting runs now through Friday, and Election Day is Nov. 4. There’s a lot on the ballot, including some local school board elections.

Below you’ll find a breakdown on the importance of school boards, and more education-focused election information. You’ll also see how lawmakers reacted to the announcement that the state is taking over Fort Worth ISD, and you’ll find out what banned book we’ll be reading in November.

Finally—if you’re in the DFW area then be sure to check out COURIER Texas’ upcoming event “Faith, Freedom, and the Future of Texas” on Nov. 5.

I’ll be moderating a panel on how new Texas laws are blurring the lines between the separation of church and state in our classrooms, creating more censorship in our schools, and how white Christian nationalism is reshaping public education in our state. You can find more details below.

If you missed last week’s edition, check it out here.

Let’s get into it!

Katie Serrano

DFW Political Correspondent, COURIER Texas

‘100% about politics’: Lawmakers denounce Fort Worth ISD takeover

Photo by Melissa Phillip/Getty Images

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is taking over Fort Worth ISD by replacing its elected school board with a state-appointed board of managers, appointing a conservator to manage the district’s finances, and hiring a new superintendent.

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath was required to take action under state law after one of Fort Worth’s campuses—Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center—received a failing accountability rating for five consecutive school years. The district already closed the campus, but Morath claimed that many schools in the district are struggling.

With nearly 70,000 students and 10,000 employees, Fort Worth ISD is the state’s second-largest school district to be taken over by the state. Houston ISD, which underwent a state takeover in 2023 that’s been extended to 2027, is the largest.

“After engaging in a comprehensive analysis of district data and a thorough vetting of district systems, leadership, and student results, I am hereby ordering the appointment of both a board of managers to govern the district and a conservator,” Morath said in a letter to the district on Oct. 23 obtained by the Fort Worth Report.

In a statement, Fort Worth ISD’s Board of Trustees said it’s “disappointed by the decision and hopes the matter will be reconsidered.”

Why you should care about your local school board election

In recent years, conservatives in Texas have targeted school boards to push their political agendas.

Republican-backed members have gone on to inflame culture wars. They’ve adopted policies that infuse more white, Christian nationalism into our classrooms, and that ban or remove educational materials and library books that teach children about topics they deem to be unsuitable for children, including race, diversity, and gender.

Long story short—school boards hold a lot of power. If a school board election is on your ballot next now, be sure to research each candidate and see what issues they are advocating and whether their values match yours.

See if a school board election is on your ballot.

What’s at stake with politics in classrooms and academic freedom in Texas schools?

Join COURIER Texas and Americans United for “Faith, Freedom & The Future of Texas,” a live event exploring how religion and politics are reshaping education, democracy, and community life across the state.

💬 Includes a panel on faith in the classroom—plus free food and drinks.

🎟️ Sign up here

🔍Greg Abbott appoints higher ed watchdog: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott named the state’s first higher education ombudsman to investigate complaints against public universities. The new position will also ensure that campuses follow new Texas laws, including a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. (COURIER Texas)

🤖How can North Texas schools utilize AI?: Young students are already using AI, so it’s important to teach them how to use it properly, according to a tech specialist. (Dallas Morning News)

🎓See how these Texas colleges and universities rank: While Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University typically end up on the higher end of the US News & World Report Best Colleges list, the University of Houston made a big leap this year. (COURIER Texas)

I hope you enjoyed reading “The Kite Runner” over the last month as much as I did. It’s a shame the novel is banned in so many schools not just across Texas, but the country.

While reading “The Kite Runner,” students have the opportunity to explore themes of friendship, guilt, and redemption. The backdrop of Afghanistan’s political and cultural unrest provides historical context, and can help expand student’s understanding of the world beyond their own experiences.

It’s a beautiful story that encourages empathy and shows how societal conflict, personal trauma, and cultural expectations can shape your life. Let me know if you read along this month, and your thoughts on the book.

Now, looking ahead …

After a legislative session that targeted abortion medication—going as far as introducing legislation that would test Texan’s water for birth control and abortion pills—it seems more timely than ever for Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” to be the Texas Banned Book Club’s next read.

If you’ve never read “The Handmaid’s Tale” (or seen the popular TV adaption) the dystopian novel is set in the near future in the Republic of Gilead—a society that has replaced the US government and uses religion to justify the oppression of women. (Sound familiar?)

We’ll get started next week!

Would you recommend this newsletter to your friends and family?

Do you or your company want to support The TexEd Report’s mission and reach your audience in Texas?

Contact advertise@couriernewsroom.com for more information.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katie Serrano. The TexEd Report is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us. Donate here.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get upcoming newsletters in your inbox.

Send your feedback and news tips to katieserrano@couriernewsroom.com.