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Texas
26th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas schools face state intervention

Texas public schools are increasingly at risk of intervention by Education Commissioner Mike Morath due to chronic academic underperformance. Morath must decide whether to close struggling schools or replace local trustees and superintendents with appointed leaders. This intervention, seen as a last resort, has been used more frequently in recent years, with seven districts, including Fort Worth and Houston, experiencing leadership changes since 2023. "Five consecutive Fs at a single campus triggers state action," highlighting the severity of the situation. The Texas Education Agency can intervene for various reasons, including academic struggles and financial mismanagement. While some districts have successfully avoided takeovers by adopting state-produced materials or partnering with charter schools, the effectiveness of such interventions remains debated, with mixed results reported in various studies.

STAAR CAMPUS REPORTS

2026 STAAR: 54% Reading, 43% Math - Your Campus?

The 2026 STAAR results are out (G3–G8), but the Texas average won't tell you where your campus stands, reading held at 54% and math at 43% (up a point, still 5 below 2019), with Grades 7–8 reading up while Grade 3 slipped.

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GOVERNANCE

Houston ISD takeover may soon end

Mike Miles, the Houston ISD Superintendent, indicated on Hello Houston that the state takeover of HISD could conclude after the 2026-27 school year. “I think the official end may be the end of this school year,” Miles said, noting that TEA Commissioner Mike Morath will oversee the transition. The plan involves a gradual return to an elected board, with three members reinstated each year until the board is fully elected. Miles, who has four years left on his contract, believes the new board will likely seek a new superintendent. He highlighted improvements in HISD, stating that there are no longer schools with multiple years of D- and F-ratings, and emphasized the importance of “bridge” courses for student preparation. Miles acknowledged ongoing challenges in special education but defended recent consolidation plans.

STATE NEWS

Back-to-school battle heats up

As Texas enters the back-to-school season, education has become a focal point in the governor's race between Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa. Hinojosa advocates for increased teacher pay and reduced high-stakes testing, while Abbott emphasizes classroom spending and teacher recruitment. Abbott's recent proposal mandates that at least 70% of school district spending goes directly into classrooms, raising questions about its effectiveness across diverse districts. Despite Abbott's claims of significant funding increases, the basic allotment for school funding has barely kept pace with inflation. Suzanne Bellsnyder of the Hansford County Reporter-Statesman argues for greater local flexibility in education funding, suggesting that rural schools need the autonomy to address their specific needs rather than conforming to a one-size-fits-all approach. Bellsnyder underscores the importance of local decision-making in education.

LEGAL

Judge dismisses Texas teachers' lawsuit

In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Texas American Federation of Teachers against Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. The lawsuit claimed Morath's directive to report inappropriate social media remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk led to retaliation against teachers. Albright stated: "The Court does not see any ‘mandate’ in the letter," emphasizing that it did not impose new obligations on school districts. The Texas Education Agency has investigated over 350 complaints related to educators' comments about Kirk, who was criticized for his views on various social issues. Randi Weingarten, president of the national AFT, expressed concern, saying, "I’ve never seen anything in modernity be something like this." The agency maintains that Morath's letter was merely a reminder of existing policies.

Grapevine-Colleyville board drops lawsuits

The Grapevine-Colleyville School Board voted to dismiss three lawsuits against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which sought to block the release of public records requested by parents. The lawsuits were related to legal fees paid to attorney Tim Davis, who previously served as the board's counsel. Rachel Wall, a parent, had requested unredacted invoices under the Texas Public Information Act, arguing that taxpayers deserve transparency regarding district spending. Wall stated that the district paid Davis and his firms over $600,000 in four years. The board's decision to dismiss the lawsuits was passed with a 6-1 vote, with Trustee Shannon Braun dissenting. Board president Dalia Begin did not respond to requests for comment on the decision.

DISTRICTS

Fort Worth ISD faces enrollment crisis

Fort Worth ISD is facing a significant enrollment decline, with approximately 2,500 fewer students than projected for the 2026-27 school year. Superintendent Peter Licata announced that the district will begin staff leveling and reassigning teachers to address this issue. "We're excited that we will finally have a process in place," Licata said, emphasizing the need for equitable resource distribution. The district has seen classrooms with over 35 students while others have fewer than 10. The adjustments aim to create more appropriate class sizes and ensure fiscal responsibility. Deputy Superintendent Daniel Soliz stated that all affected staff will be notified by Labor Day. Chelsea Baldwin from the United Educators Association noted that staff leveling is common at the start of the school year, but this year’s process lacks clear criteria due to a suspended policy. The district has lost over 20,000 students in the last decade, prompting these necessary changes.

FINANCE

Texas schools face funding crisis

Public school districts in Texas are grappling with stagnant state funding, rising costs, and declining enrollment. In the Lake Travis and Westlake areas, districts are exploring various strategies to maintain financial health, including tax rate elections and land sales. Eanes ISD's Chief Financial Officer Pete Pape said: “We want to maintain a healthy fund balance, and every decision that we make affects years out.” Eanes ISD has adopted a budget with a surplus of about $80,000, while Leander ISD faces a projected shortfall of $9.9m. Both districts are considering bond packages for future capital projects. Lake Travis ISD is also dealing with declining enrollment, which has impacted funding, leading to budget shortfalls. The district is prioritizing staff raises and exploring revenue-generating opportunities to address these challenges.

Katy ISD faces $25.7m budget shortfall

Katy ISD's fiscal year 2026-27 budget reveals a significant $25.7m shortfall, a notable increase from the previously estimated $15.7m. The board of trustees unanimously approved the budget on August 24, which emphasizes a competitive compensation plan and improvements in health care, while prioritizing student and staff safety. Chief Financial Officer Chris Smith noted that this marks the fifth consecutive year the district has faced an unbalanced budget, although he anticipates the deficit may decrease through strategic cost savings. "Eighty-three percent of the budget is being spent on instruction, classroom operations, and student support," Smith said. The total budget stands at $1.48bn, with general fund revenues at $1.14bn and expenditures at $1.17bn. The district plans to maintain its tax rate of $1.1171 per $100 valuation, with a meeting scheduled for Sept. 21 to adopt the tax rate.

Plainview ISD budget meeting set

The Plainview ISD Board of Trustees is set to meet tomorrow to discuss a nearly $50m budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. A special meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. to gather public input on the proposed budget and property tax rate. Following this, a regular meeting at 6 p.m. will address the adoption of the budget and tax rates for maintenance and operations, as well as debt payments. Preliminary figures from a July 30 budget workshop indicated a projected deficit of about $2.8m, with $47m in general fund revenue against $49.8m in expenditures. The proposed maintenance and operations tax rate is set at 76.37 cents per $100 of taxable value.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Beaumont schools face accountability decline

The TEA's accountability ratings for 2026 reveal a decline in scores across most Beaumont ISD campuses. The district's overall score increased slightly to 69, but individual campus ratings generally fell. Notably, Dr. Mae E. Jones-Clark Elementary School experienced the largest drop, plummeting 33 points to a score of 41. Superintendent Sandi Massey acknowledged the challenges, stating: "Too many absences build a culture of not taking education seriously enough." The report highlighted that 11 campuses received an F rating, with many serving economically disadvantaged students. To address these issues, BISD is implementing various strategies, including teacher training and an accelerated instructional model for core subjects.

Los Fresnos earns top marks!

Los Fresnos CISD has achieved an A accountability rating from the TEA for the 2025-2026 school year, along with the Post-secondary Readiness Distinction. Holly Maldonado, chief academic officer, said: "These results reflect the collective work taking place across our district and our continued focus on academic excellence." The district's performance showed improvement at all campus levels, and the Post-secondary Readiness Distinction highlights their commitment to preparing students for success after high school. Justin Stumbaugh, principal of Los Fresnos High School, noted: "The Post-secondary Readiness Distinction reflects our commitment to preparing students for success beyond high school." The TEA's A-F accountability system evaluates public school performance across various domains, including student achievement and graduation rates.

NUTRITION

Trump's $100m school lunch boost

The Trump administration is set to invest over $100m in school lunch initiatives, as announced by the White House. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will fund research, equipment upgrades, and local farm grants to enhance school lunch programs. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said: “We are connecting schools with the farmers and ranchers in their own communities.” The USDA will allocate $50m for cafeteria infrastructure and $25m for locally sourced foods. HHS will contribute over $30m for research to implement new dietary guidelines, which aim to improve the nutritional quality of meals served in schools. Rollins emphasized the importance of healthier cooking methods and whole food options, stating, “This will be a significant and transformative action.” National Nutrition Advisor Ben Carson praised the initiative, highlighting its potential for long-term brain development in children. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called for private sector involvement to ensure the success of these initiatives.
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