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Texas
5th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Governors’ education agendas diverge

FutureEd reviewed 2026 State-of-the-State speeches from 39 governors and found school choice, higher ed affordability, early learning, and student well-being dominated education proposals. School choice drove partisan splits, with many Republican governors promoting public funding for private options, while Arizona’s Katie Hobbs called for tighter oversight. Across parties, governors emphasized literacy, public-school funding, and teacher pay, with nutrition emerging as a shared theme. GHSA-style rhetoric appeared in school safety debates too: “Illegal and deadly school bus passings are 100% preventable,” Jonathan Adkins said.

BOOST ENROLLMENT

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ENROLLMENT

Cy-Fair enrollment drop shocks leaders

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is losing students far faster than projected, with 2025-26 enrollment falling by 3,230 in a single year to 114,697, nearly matching demographers’ decade-long loss estimate. The district expected gradual declines due to school choice competition, limited growth land, and lower birthrates, but the pace undercut prior forecasts that it would remain near 116,000 by 2029. The drop reduced expected state funding tied to attendance by $13m. CFO Karen Smith said the district will use reserves to cover a $33.7m operating deficit.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Districts confront Lifetouch rumor storm

School districts are responding to a fast-spreading social media claim alleging a tie between school photo company Lifetouch and Jeffrey Epstein, which Lifetouch says is false. CEO Ken Murphy said Lifetouch is not named in DOJ-released Epstein files and that student images are protected: “When Lifetouch photographers take your student's picture, that image is safeguarded for families and schools, only, with no exceptions.” Districts have canceled, paused, or reviewed contracts, while PR experts urge clear, trust-building communication and proactive misinformation strategies.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Uncovering concussion underreporting in schools

Recent research analyzing over 6,000 sports-related concussion cases in Texas highlights significant underreporting in certain school districts. Dr. Mathew Stokes, an assistant professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, noted: "I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that overall, those bigger sports do seem to be consistently reporting and identifying concussion." The study found that lower-income districts, particularly in urban areas, reported fewer concussions, potentially due to limited access to athletic trainers. Roy Rudewick, director of Sports Medicine at UT Arlington, emphasized the challenges in identifying concussions, noting: "There's a lot of information that you're relying on what the athlete is reporting to you." The findings suggest that socioeconomic factors may influence concussion reporting, with a need for better protocols and resources in schools to ensure student athletes receive proper evaluations.

GOVERNANCE

TEA replaces Fort Worth leader

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced the appointment of a new superintendent for Fort Worth ISD, replacing Karen Molinar, who has served for about a year. Morath praised Molinar's integrity and dedication, saying: "Dr. Karen Molinar is a student-centered leader of integrity," but emphasized the need for specialized leadership to address the district's challenges. The state took over Fort Worth ISD after a campus received five consecutive failure ratings in accountability scores. Alongside the new superintendent, Morath will appoint a board of managers to replace the elected board of trustees, with announcements expected soon.

Charlotte ISD names new interim superintendent

The Charlotte ISD Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Toni Wood as the new interim superintendent. Wood, who has been consulting with Charlotte ISD, will officially begin her role after completing her current commitments. The board plans to announce her start date soon, following the finalization of meeting minutes. This leadership change comes after the resignation of former superintendent Roger Solis, which was accepted by the board in November 2025.

McKinney ISD extends Pratt's contract

Shawn Pratt, the superintendent of McKinney ISD, has had his contract extended through June 30, 2029, following a vote by the district's board of trustees on February 16. Pratt has been serving in this role since March 2023, with an initial salary of $305,000.

WORKFORCE

Elgin ISD celebrates teacher funding boost

Elgin ISD recently achieved its first Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) validation, with 35 teachers receiving designations that will provide over $1m in funding over the next five years. The district expects to receive approximately $230,437 this year and $1,152,185 over five years, with 92% of the funds going directly to teachers.

Celebrating the best teachers in town

The Corpus Christi ISD has announced its Teachers of the Year, recognizing Denise Caldera, a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Galvan Elementary School, and Martha Buendia, a math teacher at King High School.

LITERACY

Literacy Now mobilizes Houston schools

Literacy Now spotlighted what it calls a deep literacy crisis, citing that 68% of U.S. third graders and 73% in Houston are not reading at grade level. The group warns students behind by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, threatening long-term opportunity. To build momentum, Literacy Now held Houston Reads Day, with 450 volunteers reading to 17,000 children across 44 campuses. CEO Jacklyn Minimah-Wilson said: “I want young scholars to realize that reading is important. Reading can be fun.” Founded in 2006, the organization now serves over 28,000 families and expanded interventions K–12.

DISTRICTS

New tuition-free virtual schooling option

Families in Texas can now access a new tuition-free virtual education option with the launch of the Clear Tech Virtual Program, a collaboration between Clear Creek ISD and Texas Tech University, set for the 2026-27 school year. Applications are open until May 15. The program will serve elementary through ninth-grade students, with plans to expand to high school grades in 2027-28. The initiative aims to provide flexible learning options for students with demanding schedules, including those involved in sports or homeschooling. The program aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum standards and is part of a broader effort following the passage of Senate Bill 569, which enhances virtual and hybrid schooling frameworks in Texas.

Poteet High Silver Dancers shine

Members of the Poteet High School Silver Dancers Team were recognized at the Poteet ISD school board meeting for their outstanding performance at the Regional Dance Competition, where they secured first place in Jazz, Prop, Pom, and Overall Team categories.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Midland students shine at TAFE

Eleven students from Midland ISD have qualified for the National Educators Rising Conference in Portland, Oregon, this summer. They represented their schools at the 2026 Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) Teach Tomorrow Summit, where 44 MISD students joined over 3,700 aspiring educators. Lilia Romero, a teacher at Coleman High School, said: “Opportunities like the Teach Tomorrow Summit allow our students to develop confidence, professionalism and real-world skills while exploring one of the most important professions: teaching.” The students from Legacy High School, Midland High School, and Legacy Freshman High School will compete at the national level, with Janean Moya from Coleman High School serving as an Area 8 State Delegate.

Students thrive in Hallsville CTE

Hallsville ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is making a significant impact on students' futures. During a recent CTE Advisory Luncheon, students shared their experiences and successes, highlighting the program's role in preparing them for careers.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New La Marque High School opens

La Marque High School is set to welcome students back from spring break to a newly constructed $80m academic building aimed at enhancing career training and modern classroom experiences. This facility replaces much of the original school built in the 1970s and is part of a larger initiative funded by Texas City ISD's $158.6m bond referendum approved in 2022. The new campus can accommodate around 800 students and features specialized areas for various career and technical education programs, including culinary arts and robotics.

Bryan ISD board greenlights major athletics project

The Bryan ISD board of trustees unanimously approved a contract with PBK Sports on March 2 for design and construction administration services related to athletics projects in the district's 2025 bond package. The contract, totaling $89.24m, will fund projects like the rebuild of the Merrill Green fieldhouse.
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