What's new for Dallas-Fort Worth students

Several North Texas school districts start classes this week, giving parents a break from summer break.

Why it matters: This will be a critical year for public schools, as districts navigate funding shortfalls and teacher vacancies .

Driving the news: Dallas and Frisco ISDs start Monday. Fort Worth and Plano start Tuesday.

State of play: Nearly 1.7 million Dallas-Fort Worth residents are ages 5-19. That's around 21% of the metro's population.

• But, a report earlier this year found 9 out of 10 Texas students attend inadequately funded schools.

What's new: The University Interscholastic League has new heat safety guidelines restricting outdoor practice hours and suspending outdoor activities such as sports, band and cheer when the WetBulb Globe Temperature exceeds 92.1 degrees.

• Dallas ISD is expanding its clear backpack policy to all students this year.
• The Grapevine-Colleyville , Richardson and Keller school districts are imposing stricter rules this year on students' use of cell phones during school hours. Some schools plan to require students to put their phones in special pouches, though that has drawn criticism .

Meanwhile: Republicans will try again to pass a voucher program when state lawmakers convene in January.

• The effort to offer state money to families for private school tuition or homeschooling fell short last year.

Be smart: Dallas ISD has this checklist for parents preparing for the new year.

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