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Texas
27th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas Education Agency's management salaries soar

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has come under fire after a state audit revealed a staggering 64% increase in management salaries, totaling $44.7m. The audit, conducted by the Texas State Auditor's Office, highlighted a concerning ratio of one manager for every 3.5 staff members, exceeding legal limits. State Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez, who initiated the audit, remarked: “It turns out, it was much worse than we imagined.” The report also pointed out that while management positions grew by 38%, non-management roles only increased by 12%. The TEA's media office defended the agency, stating that it sends out $40bn to support public education and that no unallowable expenses were found. However, the audit called for improvements in contract management and oversight of state-funded grants.

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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NATIONAL NEWS

Preparing teachers for the AI era

Teacher-education programs are being urged to move beyond tool-specific AI training and develop a broader approach covering ethics, pedagogy, professional judgment and classroom practice. A new AACTE framework calls for explicit preparation on AI literacy, equitable access, evaluating AI-generated student work, bias, hallucinations, critical thinking and teacher-student relationships. Anne Tapp Jaksa said: “AI forces us to reconsider what counts as evidence of learning,” particularly when candidates can use AI to produce polished academic work. The framework also argues that aspiring teachers with legitimate ethical, privacy, accessibility, cultural or pedagogical objections should be able to decline AI use without losing access to licensure. However, that principle could become difficult to implement as federal teacher-training funding increasingly prioritizes AI preparation.

DISTRICTS

Houston ISD faces school closures crisis

Houston ISD has closed 12 schools due to low enrollment and poor facilities, but over 100 schools are still operating below 60% capacity. Superintendent Mike Miles warned that the district could lose $50 to $60m in state funding annually unless significant changes occur. Bill King, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, noted that HISD is experiencing a "perfect storm" of challenges, including charter school growth and declining birth rates. He predicted more closures are likely as the district continues to lose students. King emphasized the need for transparency and community engagement in future decisions, stating, “One thing they could do is engage the community.” The district's financial struggles are compounded by a projected $25m deficit in its budget.

Education gap widens in North Texas

North Texas students from low-income families are facing significant challenges in accessing quality education, as highlighted by a recent analysis of school ratings data from the Texas Education Agency. In the North Texas counties of Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant, only 8% of schools graded A serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, compared to 18% statewide. Robert Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk, emphasized the need to address these disparities, stating: “We should really be asking why two-thirds of our economically disadvantaged kids are in bad schools.” The report indicates that while some progress has been made, the region still struggles with deep inequities, particularly in schools with high poverty rates.

Frustration mounts at Bonnie Brae

Parents and teachers at Fort Worth ISD's Bonnie Brae Elementary School are expressing frustration over the lack of communication regarding the implementation of the Applied Learning Program following a merger with Riverside Applied Learning Center. Jessica Negrete, a former teacher, said: “We were told we would get the training during the summer... but we aren't offering those services.” Parents were left in the dark about the program's status until back-to-school meetings, leading to confusion as former Riverside students received applied learning instruction while Bonnie Brae students did not. The district stated that the program remains a priority and that specific classrooms would be designated for applied learning, but many are questioning the transparency and communication from the district.

WORKFORCE

El Paso schools get creative with substitutes

The El Paso ISD has introduced a new policy allowing any salaried employee, including the superintendent, to serve as a substitute teacher. This initiative, proposed by Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk, aims to save an estimated $4m while providing highly qualified substitutes. "The policy is really a brainchild of Dr. Lusk and Assistant Superintendent David Bates," said EPISD Board of Trustees President Leah Hanany. The policy requires all non-campus-based central office employees to participate, ensuring they gain firsthand experience of classroom dynamics. Employees will serve a minimum of four days per semester without additional pay. The initiative reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility and enhancing understanding of teachers' challenges, as noted by Board Vice President Jack Loveridge, who emphasized the need for central office staff to reconnect with classroom realities.

Hernandez named state finalist for award

Roland Hernandez, the top leader of Corpus Christi ISD, has been named a state finalist for the 2026 Superintendent of the Year award by the Texas Association of School Boards. Previously recognized as one of 16 regional nominees, Hernandez was selected after interviews conducted by a committee of Texas school board members. The committee highlighted "Hernandez's strong advocacy for public education and his ability to lead through complex challenges with a clear sense of shared responsibility and purpose on behalf of students," according to a Corpus Christi ISD news release. The final winner will be announced on Oct. 10.

FINANCE

Conroe ISD tax rate cut

Conroe ISD has approved a slight tax rate cut for 2027, reducing it to 94.71 cents per $100 property valuation from 94.96 cents. However, district officials warn that this relief may be short-lived due to a $6.2m shortfall in the debt service fund, which could necessitate a tax increase in 2028. The budget of $769m includes a state-required pay increase for some teachers but a salary freeze for other employees. The district has faced financial challenges due to lower-than-expected growth in property values and student enrollment, with property value growth at just 0.58% in 2026, a significant drop from the historical average of 8%.

Grapevine-Colleyville keeps tax rate steady

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has decided to keep the property tax rate for the fiscal year 2026-27 at $0.8686 per $100 valuation, unchanged from the previous year. The maintenance and operations component decreased to $0.7054, while the interest and sinking component increased to $0.1632. This decision will result in a reduction of approximately $286 for the tax bill of a median-valued residence, bringing it down from $3,522.05 to $3,235.24.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment surge despite water crisis

After a water crisis disrupted the start of the school year, Copperas Cove ISD reported a significant increase in student enrollment. Spokesman Kurtis Quillen stated that enrollment reached 7,986 on Monday, up by 466 from last year's fourth day of school. “We were at 7,520 on our fourth day of school last year,” Quillen said. The district faced challenges due to a water main break, leading to early releases and closures, but resumed operations last Thursday. The rise in enrollment is attributed to the launch of the virtual campus, Central Texas Innovation Academy (CTIA), and the district's strong academic reputation. In contrast, Killeen ISD reported a decline in enrollment, with 38,095 students, down by 2,041 from last year. KISD spokeswoman Karen Rudolph noted that the district often sees late enrollments due to its military community.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Fort Bend ISD earns a ‘B’ rating

Fort Bend ISD received a ‘B’ accountability rating for the 2025-26 school year from the TEA, reflecting an increase from 80 to 82 out of 100. This rating is part of the TEA's A-F accountability system, which evaluates student achievement, school progress, and closing performance gaps among student groups. According to TEA data, 85% of campuses statewide achieved a rating of ‘C’ or higher, indicating acceptable academic performance. Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Marc Smith said, “Our improvement over the past two years is a testament to the intentional implementation of the systems and accountability our district and campus leaders put into place.” Notably, 70 of 81 campuses in the district received a rating of ‘C’ or higher, with 23 campuses earning an ‘A’. The district had no ‘F’ rated campuses, down from three the previous year.

El Paso schools rise to the challenge

The El Paso ISD has achieved a "B" rating in the latest accountability scores from the TEA, marking a notable improvement. Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk emphasized that while the rating is commendable, there is still "room for improvement." The report revealed that 61% of Texas public school campuses received an A or B rating, a slight increase from the previous year.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Transforming Frenship ISD

Frenship ISD in Lubbock is undergoing significant renovations aimed at enhancing the learning environment for students. Joel Thompson, the director of facilities, highlighted that the investment began in 2024 after voters approved a $189.5m bond, with 28% allocated for campus renovations. 

NUTRITION

Don’t skip breakfast, it’s egg-cellent!

Skipping breakfast can significantly affect children's mood and energy levels during school hours. According to Nemours KidsHealth, children who miss breakfast often feel tired and irritable, which can hinder their performance. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that regular breakfast consumption is linked to improved brain function, memory, and attention. Elizabeth Zmuda, DO, FACOP, FAAP, noted that "school breakfasts, lunches and snacks support learning, growth and health." Alarmingly, 13% of school-age children skip breakfast, with the rate rising to over 27% among adolescents. Reasons for skipping include selective eating and rushed mornings. To combat this, families can prepare quick breakfast options like yogurt or smoothies the night before, ensuring kids start their day fueled and ready to learn.

AND FINALLY...

Professoring beyond his years

Nathan Thomas, at just 20 years old, has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's youngest male professor, surpassing a 306-year-old record. He began his academic journey at Miami Dade College, where he excelled in his studies and later taught at the same institution. “I tried to emphasize that like my age is not important... [to] what we're doing here,” he said, reflecting on his teaching experience. Nathan's mother, Merlyn Rani Thomas, played a crucial role in his education, opting for homeschooling after realizing traditional schooling wasn't suitable for him. He accumulated 60 college credits by age 14 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at 16. Now in law school at the University of Miami, Nathan continues to inspire others while taking a break from teaching. His mother advocates for the opportunities community colleges provide, emphasizing their value in education.
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