Jaden Edison

The district has struggled to bring students’ grades up, especially at campuses in low-income neighborhoods with large Black and brown populations.

The North Texas district is the 11th since 2000 to be taken over by the state and the second largest after Houston ISD.

Private schools looking to educate participating students may also have a chance to apply to the program before the end of the year.

Finance and technology company Odyssey will help design the application process, manage payments and review complaints for the state’s education savings accounts.

Free speech experts say that when teachers speak in their personal capacity, even on school grounds but outside their official duties, they retain their right to comment on matters of public concern.

For the first time since Texas authorized the program, the state heard public testimony from people concerned about pre-K funding, special education provisions and data reporting.

Barton’s appointment comes ahead of what is expected to be a politically charged debate over how and what children should learn about history.

Educators worry the plan will deemphasize topics like world geography, history and cultures. The board aims to vote on what specific content social studies lessons will include by next summer.

The guidance comes in response to confusion over a new state law requiring schools to notify parents whenever students need health care services.

The new state ban took effect on Sept. 1, and Texas’ more than 1,200 public school districts have adopted policies ranging from secure phone pouches to increased monitoring.