Texas
Declining birth rates are testing North Texas school districts
As public schools in North Texas begin a new school year, they are also adjusting to a new reality.
While the region boasts greater economic strength and is planning infrastructure for a growing population in the next decade, educators are seeing a different story — persistently lower student enrollment with all signs pointing to this as our future.
Richardson ISD has a student population of about 37,000 and is among the most diverse in North Texas. But it is already closing some elementary schools this year and is projecting a decrease of roughly 3,600 students over the next five years. Irving ISD lost about 4,000 students in the last decade. Dallas ISD, the largest school district in the region, lost about 18,000 students from 2012 to 2023.
Well, of course, you might think: Families are moving to Collin County for the schools. That’s true to a degree, but dig into the enrollment numbers and you find that Collin County suburbs are facing similar issues. There are just fewer children, and especially young children in these central parts of our region.
Plano is already facing enrollment decline. Frisco, the city where people move for the schools, is seeing a flattening of the curve in student population growth.
Over the past 12 years, Plano ISD has seen enrollment decrease by 7,750 students, a district spokesperson said. District trustees voted earlier this year to close four schools. And although Frisco ISD isn’t facing declining enrollment or school closures, the pearl of North Texas districts hasn’t been experiencing the explosive growth it saw over the last decade or so. Between 2024 and 2030, the district is projecting slower growth.
We can expect the trend to be steeper in Dallas. Between 2012 and 2022, the population of children under 5 years old in Dallas County decreased by 9.5%, and the number of children under 9 years old went down by 3%, census data shows.
North Texas public schools are adjusting to this new reality at a moment when traditional public schools are facing more competition and political pressure. Independent school districts are dealing with budget constraints. Meanwhile, a push for private school vouchers in Austin is gathering strength.
Many complex factors are involved in the enrollment numbers schools are seeing. But the major underlying cause is this — birth rates are declining.
But what about immigration, you might ask. A key demographic driving lower birth rates is Hispanics. In Texas, this trend began during the 2008 recession, Texas State Demographer Lloyd Potter told us.
“Hispanics, not only in Texas, but nationwide, are now a multigenerational population,” Potter said. “The Latino population is more likely to gain educational attainment, and more likely to enter the labor force later compared to their parents and grandparents. This results in delayed childbirth.”
In other words, don’t count on immigration to resolve the demographic decline that is affecting schools. North Texas is growing, but even with huge numbers of immigrant families living within the district boundaries of Dallas, Richardson and Plano ISDs, we are losing kids.
It’s important to stress that changing demographics are not the whole story. The pandemic, for example, had a profound effect on public school enrollment. Housing prices and school quality are also important factors.
Since 2019, the year before the pandemic, Dallas County school districts have lost 4% of their students, according to an analysis by the Commit Partnership, an education nonprofit.
In the same period, charter school enrollment grew by 10%, and the private school share of students in the county continues to grow. Nationwide, there is also a turn to homeschooling. Texas accounted for 6% of the total homeschool enrollment in 2024, up from 3% in 2023, according to a census analysis.
It’s unlikely, though, that even with children pulling off to charter, private and home schools, that this can account for the much lower traditional public school enrollment we are seeing. And that’s the demographic problem.
That means more school closures and consolidations are coming, even as public schools are having to compete harder for the kids they get. Superintendents and school boards are aware of this, and many are adjusting well, our view.
We stand by this statement: Dallas ISD is one of, if not the most, innovative urban school districts in the country. For years, the district has been taking important steps to continue to attract new students despite facing ongoing enrollment declines.
DISD, as well as other Dallas County districts, are now focused on implementing high-quality instructional materials — better standard curricula and actual books and workbooks — that we think are going to show better outcomes for all students. We already know there is far more school choice within DISD and inner-ring suburban districts so that parents don’t have to rely on a single neighborhood school that might not serve their child.
There are also a lot of bright spots outside of DISD, like Garland and Cedar Hill ISDs. Garland made consistent progress in algebra in the last few years, and Cedar Hill showed an above-average performance in reading and math in the latest STAAR scores.
All of this is good news for our local schools. But the administrators of these schools know that change is coming, and in many cases has already arrived.
The children just aren’t here the way they were. And there may be no changing that.
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
It’s that time of year again – prom season. For many students, it’s a night to remember, but between dresses and other expenses, the costs can add up quickly. Every year, St. Andrew’s Methodist Church steps up to help ease the financial burden for families, offering free prom dresses and accessories to young women.
“I’m feeling very excited, very happy, you know it’s all like coming to me at once,” said Gabrielle Bennett, a high school junior.
Prom season is a moment many young girls look forward to, and finding the perfect dress.
Boutique experience for every shopper
“It was a lot of searching through a lot of dresses.. and seeing what fits, what doesn’t, what looks nice, and then you finally find one, and it fits perfect,” said Ally Atkins, a high school senior.
For 17 years, St. Andrew’s Methodist Church has opened its prom closet to girls across North Texas, helping those who may not be able to afford the high cost of prom. This year, organizers hope to serve 1,400 shoppers. There are more than 5,000 dresses to choose from in different colors, styles, and sizes.
“Every young lady should feel special at prom. Every young lady deserves to be beautiful, and in some cases, some of these young ladies, this would not be possible,” said Kathy Moore, a Prom Closet chairman.
Community donations make it possible
The experience is designed to feel like a real boutique – from trying on dresses to grabbing the perfect shoes, bag, and accessories. Everything is donated.
“I had one yesterday that walked into our dress area, and she stopped and just said, ‘wow,’ and so right there, that moment, that’s why we do it,” Moore said.
Organizers said the event is made possible by community donations and dozens of volunteers, but they’re always looking for more help. Next year, they hope to serve even more girls, continuing their mission to make more prom dreams come true.
“I want to thank this whole organization, I’m very grateful,” Bennett said.
How to participate
If you know someone who may need a prom dress this season, the Prom Closet is open until March 7. It is by appointment only. For more information, visit: https://standrewmethodist.org/prom-closet/
EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A major change is coming to how vehicles are titled and registered in Texas, with local officials and border-area dealerships bracing for questions, delays and the possibility that some buyers could take their business out of state.
Beginning March 5, 2026, Texans applying for an original vehicle title and registration will need proof of identity and proof of legal status in the United States.
The Texas Motor Vehicle Board approved a new rule requiring county tax offices to verify that documentation before processing those transactions.
“If the person doesn’t have valid ID, we cannot register their vehicle,” said Ruben Gonzalez, the El Paso County tax assessor-collector.
Gonzalez said the rule is mandatory statewide and is not a local policy, but a state mandate he is required to follow as an agent of the DMV.
Under the rule, buyers must present a REAL ID-compliant Texas ID or other federally recognized documents, including a passport or permanent resident card.
Gonzalez said the rule takes effect March 5 for new titles and registrations, but proof of legal status for registration renewals will not be required until Jan. 1, 2027.
“We’re going to give a year’s time for those people to qualify, but more so to allow the entities, businesses like lean holders and dealers and the county offices to be trained on what’s an acceptable form of documentation to accept from people that are renewing online or in our offices,” Gonzalez said.
Destiny Venecia reports on Texas to require proof of identity and legal status for vehicle titles, registrations (Credit: KFOX14)
RECOMMENDED: El Paso residents report natural gas bills nearly doubling, citing surprising fees
Local dealerships said they are working to adapt, but some employees and customers are uneasy about the change.
Luis Fierro, president of the El Paso Hispanic Independent Automobile Dealer Association, said, “My personnel is a little bit scared to make a mistake. Within the dinner community, they’re all scared, they’re all lost in the system. They’re trying to figure out, as we all believe, an ID was a real ID. Now we find out that what we knew that was good to be used is no longer good.”
Border-area dealerships also worry customers could buy and register vehicles in New Mexico, taking taxes and fees out of Texas.
“Customers are scared of the new implementation, that they’re going to take their business to New Mexico, pay their taxes in New Mexico, and handle the registration and renewals in the state of New Mexico and avoid Texas,” Fierro said.
County leaders said the concern extends beyond lost sales to lost revenue for Texas counties.
“It’s going to be a loss of revenue because if they go to New Mexico, we can’t collect our fees that are due because they’re all they’re running using our highways,” Gonzalez said.
County officials said they expect an increase in questions and possible delays in the first few months after the rule takes effect March 5, 2026.
RECOMMENDED: Texas bans temporary paper license plates to curb fraud
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.
Prep talk: Football student-athletes to be honored at annual banquets
At least nine killed after Iranian strike on Israel’s Beit Shemesh
Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say
Newsom’s ‘disgraceful’ call for Dems to be ‘culturally normal’ is ‘dangerous,’ far-left podcaster says
Judge orders Ilhan Omar attack suspect to remain in custody pending trial
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
At least nine killed after Iranian strike on Israel’s Beit Shemesh
Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say
Mamdani’s response to Trump’s Iran strike sparks conservative backlash: ‘Rooting for the ayatollah’
Activists hail ‘historic’ EU’s decision on accessible abortion
A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR
-
World3 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Denver, CO4 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana6 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT