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Texas
24th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas funds Bluebonnet corrections

Texas will spend up to $8.4m correcting more than 4,200 errors in its Bible-infused Bluebonnet curriculum, including factual mistakes, missing punctuation and incorrect answer keys. The Texas Education Agency’s May contract covers replacing and disposing of books, worksheets, teacher guides and other materials, with nearly one million copies expected to be printed and shipped before August. Roughly $3.6m is allocated for destroying existing materials, likely tied to image licensing concerns and possible copyright exposure. Some State Board of Education members objected to taxpayers covering the cost. Houston Republican Will Hickman said: “I’m very concerned about our review process.” TEA called the errors “minimal,” while publishing official Nicholas Keith said teacher feedback drove many revisions.

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STATE NEWS

Texas schools to mandate reading list

Texas education officials have provisionally approved the state's first mandatory reading list, set to be implemented in the 2030-31 school year. The list includes nearly 200 literary works, featuring biblical stories such as David and Goliath for second graders and direct biblical excerpts starting in fourth grade. The State Board of Education voted 9-5 to finalize the list, which has sparked significant public debate. Many speakers urged for a more diverse selection, with state Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-Euless, stating: "If we don't see Hispanic or African American authors... those kids would not be able to see themselves represented." Concerns were also raised about potential antisemitism due to the inclusion of certain religious texts. The board is also revising the social studies curriculum, with final votes scheduled for Friday.

NATIONAL NEWS

Schools respond to immigration fears

School districts across the United States are expanding family support services and revising safety protocols in response to heightened immigration enforcement activity and growing concerns among immigrant communities. Educators report increased demand for food assistance, transportation support, legal information, and emergency planning, as some families have avoided public spaces or kept children home from school out of fear of encounters with immigration authorities. Districts including St. Paul, Minnesota, and Montgomery County, Maryland, have partnered with community organizations, trained staff on responding to immigration-related incidents, and developed contingency plans for families facing detention or deportation proceedings, while school leaders warn that responding to these challenges is diverting time and resources away from teaching and learning.

GOVERNANCE

TEA approves retroactive waiver

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) retroactively approved Mike Miles' superintendent certification waiver on June 4, the last day of the 2025-26 school year. Houston ISD delayed applying for the waiver, allowing Miles to lead without certification for 11 months. TEA stated that the waiver covers the entire school year and emphasized its "broad discretion" under Texas Education Code to grant such waivers. However, concerns were raised by Texas Tech University professor Jacob Kirksey, who said: "Approving a waiver for a school year on the last day of that school year inverts the logic of this rule." HISD Board President Ric Campo defended Miles, asserting confidence in his leadership and ability to deliver results. The waiver raises questions about accountability and the path to certification, as Miles has not detailed plans to obtain the necessary credentials.

WORKFORCE

Huntsville ISD boosts teacher pay, celebrates growth

The Huntsville ISD Board of Trustees recently approved a compensation package for the 2026-2027 school year, which includes over $213,000 in additional pay for high-performing teachers. Starting teacher salaries will increase from $52,500 to $56,000, positioning HISD among the highest-paying districts in the area. The board also recognized 18 teachers for their designations under the Texas Education Agency's Teacher Incentive Allotment program, generating significant additional funding. Furthermore, the district plans to adopt the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum by August 2026, ensuring consistency across campuses. The Hornet Success Academy continues to support at-risk students with alternative pathways to graduation, having graduated 402 students since 2019.

Katy ISD employees to get raises

Katy ISD employees will receive pay increases for the fiscal year 2026-27, despite a projected shortfall of $15.7m. At a board meeting on Monday, trustees approved a compensation plan that includes a 1% general pay increase and two separate 1% lump-sum payments scheduled for August and December. Chief human resources oficer Brian Schuss said Katy ISD is “market competitive” and aims to maintain this status. The district recently received a one-time payment of $34m from a property value audit, with $8m allocated for each of the lump-sum payments. Additionally, the board approved a teacher retention allotment, providing $2,500 for teachers with one to two years of experience and $5,000 for those with five or more years. Schuss also mentioned plans for a comprehensive market study on the district's compensation plan, expected to be completed by summer 2027.

FINANCE

Cy-Fair ISD faces budget crisis

The Cy-Fair ISD board has approved a $1.25bn budget for the 2026-27 school year, which includes an $80m deficit, exceeding previous projections. This deficit will reduce the district's fund balance to about four months of operating reserves, raising concerns about financial stability. Superintendent Douglas Killian emphasized the need for a tax rate increase to address the deficit, stating: “Even if we did go for 12 pennies, we would still be quite a bit behind several of the districts around us.” The budget also proposes staff stipends contingent on voter approval of a tax increase. The district anticipates losing $27m due to declining enrollment, which could lead to cuts in staff and programs.

Clear Creek weighs tax election

By the fiscal year 2027-28, Clear Creek ISD could exhaust its capital and contingency funds, leaving the district with a “two-year runway” to tackle a projected shortfall exceeding $24.1m. Currently, the district anticipates a shortfall of over $20.1m for FY 2026-27. During a board meeting on June 22, CCISD discussed budget priorities and strategies to manage the financial gap, including utilizing its fund balance and capital funds. The district has faced challenges such as rising fuel and insurance costs and difficulties in staff recruitment and retention.

Allen ISD faces budget shortfall

The Allen ISD Board of Trustees has approved a $226m budget for the 2026-27 school year, anticipating approximately $220m in revenue. However, the budget reveals a projected shortfall of $5,314,470 in the district's general fund. This financial challenge comes as enrollment continues to decline, raising concerns about the district's fiscal health. 

CURRICULUM

Schools rethink math pathways

A growing number of school districts and states are replacing the traditional sequence of Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II with integrated math, which blends concepts from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry across multiple years. Supporters argue the approach helps students retain key concepts, creates greater flexibility for advanced courses such as data science and statistics, and better aligns with modern workforce and college demands. States including Maryland are adopting integrated math as part of broader efforts to expand postsecondary pathways beyond calculus, while educators in districts such as Chapman, Kansas, report improved student performance. Critics, however, warn that the model may leave some students less prepared for calculus-intensive STEM fields and can create challenges for students transferring between schools with different math sequences. While research suggests integrated math may modestly improve achievement, evidence of large-scale benefits remains limited, and debate continues over whether the approach best serves all students.

TEACHING

Bilingual program boosts student success

Pasadena ISD's new bilingual education initiative is yielding positive results in reading and math for non-native English speakers. Implemented in 2022, the one-way dual language program aims to enhance proficiency in both English and Spanish. Stephanee Saavedra, the district's director of multilingual programs, emphasized the program's goal: "The point of one-way dual language is so that (students) could ultimately be fluent in both their home language and English." Research from Rice University indicates that students in this program are outperforming their peers in English-only instruction, with second-grade assessments showing a four percentile point increase. The district plans to expand this initiative to include all grade levels, ensuring students maintain proficiency in both languages for future opportunities.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario unveils new grading rules

Ontario will introduce mandatory grading standards and a new province-wide digital learning platform this fall, as the government seeks to increase consistency across schools and give teachers greater control over classroom assessment. Secondary school students will see attendance, participation, and final evaluations formally incorporated into their final grades, while written exams will become mandatory in subjects including English, math, and science. Students in Grades 9 and 10 will receive 15% of their final mark from attendance and participation, compared with 10% for Grades 11 and 12. The province is also investing C$60m ($42.3m) in Edwin, a digital learning platform developed by Nelson Education, which will be made available to all school boards beginning in September. The platform is designed to help teachers monitor student progress, identify learning gaps, and personalize assignments, although its use will not be mandatory during the upcoming school year.
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