Pearland ISD may serve students at Walden University and Houston Christian University for teaching programs if the board of trustees approves two affiliation agreements at its Dec. 9 meeting.

The overview: The affiliation agreements will allow PISD to serve as an approved field site for Walden University and Houston Christian University students to complete:

• Teacher preparation
• Demonstration teaching
• Principal preparation requirements

Maeville Pediatrics opened in Pearland on Dec. 8, according to a social media post.

The details: Maeville Pediatrics has an original location in Houston, 7900 Fannin St., Ste. 1400, Houston, however the Pearland location features a larger waiting room space. Maeville Pediatrics offers sick care, telemedicine, wellness checkups and prenatal visits, according to the business' website.

• 2813 Smith Ranch Road, Pearland

Germany, Portugal and Saudi Arabia are three of the seven teams that have been flagged to play in Houston for the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament in June.

Breaking it down: Seven total matches will be played in Houston, including five group stages and two knockout-round games between June 14 and July 9. The five group stages include:

• June 14: Germany vs. Curaçao
• June 17: Portugal vs. Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia
• June 20: Netherlands vs. Albania/Poland/Sweden/Ukraine
• June 23: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
• June 26: Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them.

The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4.

Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.

Zooming in: Depending on a family’s income, students with disabilities may receive priority acceptance into the ESA program. Families can submit documentation from a physician or the U.S. Social Security Administration to be prioritized, although a detailed evaluation and individualized education plan are required to receive the additional special education funding.