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Texas
18th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

SCOTUS to weigh Texas Ten Commandments law

Civil rights advocates have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Texas law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Over two dozen Texas families, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, argue that the law infringes on First Amendment rights regarding the separation of church and state. They stated: "The question of whether a state may impose scripture on impressionable, captive-audience children... implicates the most fundamental guarantees of the First Amendment." The law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, has faced opposition after a split decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld it. Similar laws have emerged in other Southern states, raising concerns about religious expression in educational settings.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:
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  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
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Download the FlexPoint® guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.

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STATE NEWS

Texas schools score big in accountability

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released the latest school accountability scores, revealing that 61% of the state's approximately 9,000 public school campuses received an A or B rating, an increase from 59% last year. The 2026 report highlights the performance of high-poverty campuses, with 396 earning an A rating. Mary Lynn Pruneda, director for education and workforce policy at Texas 2036, emphasized the importance of the accountability system, stating: "Every student in Texas deserves access to a great public education." The report evaluates schools based on student achievement, school progress, and the ability to close achievement gaps. Most Borderland districts received B ratings, with El Paso ISD scoring 82/100 and Ysleta ISD achieving 88/100. The ratings serve as a critical indicator for parents regarding their children's educational performance.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Houston ISD scores a 'B' rating!

Houston ISD achieved a 'B' rating with 85 out of 100 points for the 2025-26 school year, marking three years of improvement in the TEA's accountability ratings. Superintendent Mike Miles said: "That's a huge success for our kids," despite five campuses receiving 'F' ratings this year. The district's performance is based on student achievement, school progress, and closing gaps, with 85% of Texas campuses rated 'C' or higher. HISD's enrollment for 2025-26 was 167,793 students, with 77.2% economically disadvantaged. The district has seen an increase in A- and B-rated campuses, totaling 205 in 2025-26.

Klein ISD earns ‘B’ rating boost

Klein ISD received a ‘B’ accountability rating for the 2025-26 school year from the TEA, reflecting an increase of two points from the previous year, scoring 88 out of 100 possible points. All 48 KISD campuses received a rating of ‘C’ or higher, with 19 campuses rated ‘A’, 26 rated ‘B’, and 3 rated ‘C’.

McKinney ISD earns B rating again

McKinney ISD has received a B rating from the TEA for the 2025-26 school year, marking the fifth consecutive year of this achievement. The district scored 87 out of 100 points, excelling in areas such as student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps among different student demographics. Out of 33 campuses, nine received an A rating, while others varied from B to F.

El Paso Academy faces tough questions

The Texas Accountability scores have revealed a troubling situation for El Paso Leadership Academy (EPLA), which received an overall "F" with a score of 56 out of 100. This marks a significant drop from last year's "C" rating of 77. EPLA founder and CEO Omar Yanar acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating: "We're not running away from our academic rating and we're completely accountable for where we're at." He attributed the low reading scores to a lack of proficient English-speaking students and emphasized the need for a "massive back-to-basics approach" to improve literacy and math skills. Yanar noted that addressing students' screen time is also crucial to remind them of their purpose in school.

New Braunfels ISD holds steady at B

New Braunfels ISD has maintained a 'B' rating in the TEA's annual A-F accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year, scoring 84 out of 100, a three-point increase from the previous year. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath praised Oak Run Middle School for its leap from a 'C' to an 'A' rating, calling the leadership team "extraordinary."

Denton ISD schools show academic gains

Five elementary schools in Denton ISD have improved their academic performance, as indicated by the latest TEA accountability ratings. Although the district's overall rating fell from a B to a C, with a score of 76, schools like Guyer, Ryan, and Braswell high schools maintained B ratings. Notably, Providence Elementary School achieved a B rating, with Principal Melissa Bates attributing this success to a collective effort to enhance student outcomes.  

Richardson ISD earns B rating boost

Richardson ISD has improved its accountability rating to a B for the 2025-26 school year, following three years of C ratings from the TEA. The district's overall score of 83 indicates growth in STAAR results and an increase in College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) rates. Notably, 31 of 49 campuses received A or B ratings, with all four high schools achieving this milestone.

GOVERNANCE

State takeover looms for Austin ISD

Mayor Kirk Watson is in discussions with Austin ISD officials regarding a potential state takeover due to two middle schools, Burnet and Webb, receiving consecutive failing grades. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath is expected to decide on intervention in the coming months. Despite the failing grades, Watson emphasized that "it is undeniable that AISD is making the kind of progress that we all want," noting improvements in overall district ratings. However, leaders must devise a plan for the struggling schools, which have not improved since 2018. The district has until September 11 to appeal the ratings, with final grades due by December 11.

Conroe ISD tackles budget and scores

At the Conroe ISD board meeting today, trustees will discuss key issues including academic scores, the proposed tax rate, and the official budget. The preliminary budget for FY 2026-27 stands at $769.6m, with a projected property tax rate of $0.9496 per $100 valuation. A public hearing will precede the vote on the budget and tax rate. The board will also review scores from the 2026 STAAR exams, where Conroe ISD outperformed the state in several areas but lagged in math. The district plans to discuss updates to the Math Curriculum Implementation Strategy to address these challenges.

DISTRICTS

Katy ISD defies pandemic enrollment trends

Katy ISD and Lamar CISD have maintained stable enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the TEA. Despite Katy ISD's consistent growth since 2016, a decline in 2025 is attributed to lower birth rates and an aging student population. Christ Cottongame, Chief Learning Officer of Lamar CISD, noted that while growth has slowed, the district expects an increase of 1,600-1,900 students annually for the next decade. Both districts are implementing new programs for the 2026-27 school year to attract and retain students. Cottongame emphasized the importance of attendance for funding, stating: “If the kids aren't there, the money doesn't come.”

New Braunfels opens innovative magnet school

New Braunfels ISD celebrated the opening of its first district-wide elementary magnet school, CREATE at County Line, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. Principal April Jones emphasized the school's mission to foster an engaging and innovative learning environment, stating: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we are embracing a bold vision for learning.” The school will incorporate STEM, agriculture, culinary arts, outdoor learning, digital media, and medical exploration into its curriculum.

Moreno returns to lead United High

Gilberto Fidel Moreno has been appointed as the new principal of United High School, marking his return after previously serving as an assistant principal for seven years. With 25 years in public education, Moreno most recently led Trautmann Middle School, achieving consecutive “A” ratings.

CHARTERS

IDEA Henry opens doors to 1,000 students

IDEA Henry Academy and College Preparatory has officially opened, welcoming over 1,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Under the leadership of Amaris Sanchez, Mary Mack, and Jennifer Lovett, the new campus represents a significant milestone for IDEA Public Schools, as it is the first fully scaled school in the network's history. The school aims to provide a consistent educational experience across its campuses, with plans to host the first College Signing Day for its inaugural graduating class this spring. Matamoros emphasized the commitment to preparing students for success in college and beyond, saying: “These milestones reflect the incredible growth of our region and our unwavering commitment to preparing every student for success.”

FINANCE

Pflugerville voters face tax decision

Pflugerville ISD residents may face increased taxes if they choose to annex into the Austin Community College (ACC) taxing district in the upcoming November election. The ACC board accepted a petition with over 5,000 signatures to place the annexation on the ballot. If approved, residents would gain access to in-district tuition rates, which are significantly lower than out-of-district rates. However, some residents oppose the measure, arguing that many benefits are already available to PfISD students. Chris Cervini, ACC vice chancellor, emphasized the importance of community input, stating: “When people ask me about annexation, I often tell them, ‘Just go talk to somebody who has annexed ... and ask them what they think.'” The decision will impact educational opportunities and local taxes, with potential changes effective in January if the annexation passes.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Vaccination rates drop, exemptions rise

U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates have declined for the fourth consecutive year, with exemptions reaching an all-time high of 4.2%, affecting approximately 155,000 children during the 2025-2026 school year. The increase in exemptions, primarily for nonmedical reasons, was noted in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Dr. James Campbell from the American Academy of Pediatrics stated, “The root cause of this is primarily because there's so much chaos and confusion in vaccination recommendation systems in the last year or so.” The CDC reported that only 92.4% of kindergarteners received their required measles-mumps-rubella shots, down from 95% before the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health officials emphasize the importance of vaccinations, especially as the school year begins, to prevent outbreaks in schools.
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