Inclusive Sports Kingwood became a school-centered story through Kayli Heine’s FIGS Initiative at West Fork High School. FIGS stands for Friends In Gator Sports, and Heine, a 2026 West Fork graduate, founded the effort in Kingwood, Texas, to connect student-athletes … Read the rest
Midland ISD Study Finds Teacher Leadership Model Improves Student Learning
A new study of Midland Independent School District’s Opportunity Culture program reports measurable improvements in student learning, with some elementary students gaining the equivalent of several additional months of instruction in mathematics and reading. Released publicly on November 9, 2026, … Read the rest
Longview sports STEM Builds Youth Growth
Longview sports STEM gives families a practical picture of what can happen when athletic activity, hands-on learning, and character support meet after the school bell. For students, the value is not only in finishing a drill or solving a science … Read the rest
U.S. School Closures Reach Their Highest Level Since the Pandemic
School closures are becoming an increasingly visible challenge for communities across the United States as districts respond to declining enrollment, tighter budgets and changing family needs. During the last academic year, 1,156 U.S. schools closed, the highest number since … Read the rest
Jackson Manning Comeback Inspires Axtell
The Jackson Manning Comeback is the kind of local sports story that reaches far beyond the line of scrimmage. Jackson Manning, a 16-year-old junior at Axtell High School in Texas, plays center and guard for the Longhorns after having his … Read the rest
High School Football Builds Local Pride Together
High School Football still gives many communities a weekly place to gather, remember who they are, and cheer for young people learning under pressure. As a coach and mentor, I see the best nights as more than a scoreboard. They … Read the rest
Youth Sports Mental Health Starts With Coaches
Youth sports mental health begins in the small moments: a coach noticing a player who has gone quiet, a teammate checking in after practice, or a family hearing that their child is more than a stat line. As coaches, we … Read the rest
The New TEA Plan Requires a Review of 650 Student Records
The latest requirements from the Texas Education Agency establish a more detailed process for checking whether HISD has correctly documented and delivered special education services. According to the November 6 report by Houston Chronicle education reporter Claire Partain, state staff … Read the rest
Texas High School Heat Stress Safety: WBGT & UIL Rules Guide
Across the state of Texas, high school athletics represent a defining civic tradition, rallying rural towns, suburban school districts, and urban campuses around Friday night lights, cross country courses, marching band rehearsals, and early-season soccer tournaments. Yet competing in the … Read the rest
Houston-Area High Schools Build Stronger Career Pathways Before Graduation
A high school diploma remains an important milestone, but for many students, the opportunities available after graduation depend on more than completing required courses. Access to college credit, professional certifications, career training and meaningful guidance can determine whether young people … Read the rest