Of the 256,700 Texans who applied as of late March, 45% are white, 23% are Hispanic and 11% are Black. Low-income families make up 36% of applicants—defined as a family of four earning $66,000 or less per year.

On average, schools that help students succeed in the long run are those that raise their 10th-grade test scores and boost their college plans the most, says study.

Schools were also directed to cancel or change celebrations of the late civil rights leader amid allegations of sexual abuse.

Texas had excluded schools over alleged ties to CAIR, the nation's largest Muslim advocacy group. The ruling adds to scrutiny over how the state evaluated applicants.

Fewer students are leaving many public schools underenrolled and districts with less funding. As costs remain high, more systems are considering closures, consolidations and cuts.

Artificial intelligence, political shifts and growing questions about the value of a college degree are pushing schools to adapt. While no single solution exists, unplugged learning could help.

Some schools are turning to AI chat platforms that flag student messages for potential self-harm or other safety risks. Experts say the tools may help short-staffed districts triage concerns, but warn they can't replace human judgment and raise privacy concerns.

Most Texas school districts have declined a new state-approved opportunity to set aside time each day for students and staff to pray before school. So far, only 15 districts have opted into the voluntary prayer period, while many urban, suburban and rural districts have voted against it.