Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
Texas
1st September 2026
Together with

THE HOT STORY

Texas schools face state takeover turmoil

Texas officials highlight academic improvements in Houston and Shepherd ISDs, but researchers caution that state takeovers yield mixed results. Lily McClure, a parent advocate, expressed concern over potential state intervention in Austin ISD, stating: “We asked for help, and they're giving us a takeover.” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath supports takeovers, claiming they enhance school quality. However, Melissa Arnold Lyon, an assistant professor at the University at Albany, noted that while some takeovers succeed: “On average, state takeover has not increased academic performance and has exacerbated educational inequality.” The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has intervened in several districts, with varying outcomes. For instance, Houston ISD saw improvements but also faced challenges like teacher turnover and enrollment loss.

DIGITAL CURRICULUM

Choose the Right Digital Curriculum

How do you determine which digital courses will meet your students’ and teachers’ needs best? Get expert answers to your digital curriculum questions in the free Digital Curriculum Buyer’s Guide from FlexPoint®. While you learn how to identify quality digital courses, you’ll complete worksheets that will offer a clear path toward your goals. These insights, tips, and more are vital to making the right purchasing decisions for your school or district.

Download Free Guide

 

STATE NEWS

Students ditch phones for cards

In Texas, the implementation of House Bill 1481 has transformed classroom dynamics by prohibiting personal communication devices during school hours. Rachel Bailey, a U.S. history teacher, observed that students are now engaging more with each other, saying: “They want to learn more, do more and they’re willing to have fun.” Initially, the ban caused anxiety among students, but it has since led to improved social interactions and reduced cognitive load. School psychologist Israel Arevalo noted that the ban encourages face-to-face communication, which is essential for social development. The positive effects extend to mental health and academic performance, with Bailey reporting better test scores across her teaching team. However, Arevalo cautioned that parental support is crucial, as excessive screen time at home could undermine the benefits gained during school. As the first year of the cellphone ban concludes, it highlights the importance of reclaiming students' attention and fostering healthier interactions.

Texas students face controversial curriculum

Texas high school students may soon be required to explain the Prophet Mohammed's “brutal military campaigns” and the teachings of Jesus under a proposed social studies curriculum. The Republican-controlled Board of Education is set to vote on this rewrite, which includes controversial portrayals of Islam and Christianity. Bahia Amawi, a school speech pathologist, said: “It is clear the (standards) were written intentionally to portray one faith in a positive light, while deliberately casting another in a negative one.” The curriculum has faced criticism from advocacy groups like the Council on Islamic-American Relations, which argues for a balanced representation of all faiths. Proponents, including board member Julie Pickren, emphasize the importance of teaching Christianity's influence on American history.

DISTRICTS

Empowering students through leadership skills

Hallsville ISD is implementing the Leader in Me program, which teaches students essential life skills based on Stephen Covey's “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Jennifer Hoskins, the district's director of academic leadership, emphasized the program's importance, stating: “It's life skills that I wish I would have had as a kid.” Students like Elle Cobble and Brady Flores are actively participating, with Elle even organizing pet toy donations for an animal shelter. The program, which has been in place for four years, aims to instill leadership qualities in all students, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning.

FINANCE

CCISD trustees to consider property tax rise

The Board of Trustees at Copperas Cove ISD votes this week on the district's proposed budget for the 2026/27 fiscal year - including retaining the current $0.7575 Maintenance & Operations rate and adding a $0.2974 Interest and Sinking rate, for a total rate of $1.0549 per $100 valuation. If the changes are approved, school district taxes for a home valued at $200,000 will rise from around $1,515 to $2,110.

Voters face tough tax decision

Calhoun County ISD voters will decide on November 3 whether to approve a tax increase to address a projected $4.69m budget deficit. The Board of Trustees unanimously called for a voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) during their August 17 meeting. If approved, the VATRE would add three pennies to the maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate, increasing it from $0.6822 to $0.7054 per $100 of taxable value. This change is expected to generate approximately $1.68m in additional revenue, potentially reducing the deficit to about $3.01m. CCISD has already made personnel-related reductions totaling $2.31m to manage the shortfall.

Lubbock ISD tax rate set low

Lubbock ISD has established its property tax rate for the current school year, which is set at approximately 86 cents per hundred dollars valuation. Although this rate is lower than last year's, it is still above the district's "no new revenue" rate, leading to a classification as a "tax rate increase." Dewayne Wilkins, Lubbock ISD's chief financial officer, explained: "This happens because of large homestead exemption increases." The district faces a $22m shortfall and reports that the homestead exemption has cost it $1bn in taxable property value this year.

Tax rate slashed for schools

The Plainview ISD school board has unanimously approved a new property tax rate of $1.26370 per $100 of taxable value for the 2026-27 school year, marking a decrease from the previous year. Superintendent H.T. Sanchez stated: “This tax rate will be the lowest tax rate that we will recommend for the board to adopt in the last five years.” The new rate includes 76.37 cents for maintenance and operations and 50 cents for debt service, with the maintenance rate decreasing by 0.68 cents. The district plans to pay off bonds from a 2020 package nearly seven years early, which Sanchez noted would save on long-term interest costs, allowing more funds to be directed toward the principal.

GOVERNANCE

New superintendent search kicks off

Texarkana ISD has enlisted Arrow Educational Services to lead the search for a new superintendent following Doug Brubaker's resignation. The search committee, chaired by Jim Dunlap, will gather input from employees, families, students, and community members to identify the ideal candidate. Board President Amy Bowers described this process as "an exciting and important time" for the district, emphasizing the need for a leader who can build on the district's current momentum.

WORKFORCE

Boosting teacher retention with incentives

Richardson ISD is expanding the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), a program designed to reward high-performing teachers with stipends. Last year, 186 TIA-designated teachers received approximately $2.5m, with the state distributing $750m through TIA and expecting to allocate $2bn over the next three years. Frank Patranella, RISD's director of TIA, emphasized that “the number one factor in the classroom for student outcomes is having a high quality, strong teacher.” The program, initiated by the Texas Legislature in 2019, aims to retain top teachers and enhance student growth. Teachers can earn between $3,000 and $32,000 based on their TIA designation and campus demographics.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Tomball and Magnolia schools on the rise

In Tomball and Magnolia, significant educational projects are underway, including the construction of new schools. Tomball ISD approved a $494.46m bond in 2021, while Magnolia ISD passed a $228m bond in 2022. Notable projects include Elementary School No. 10, set to open in August 2028, and High School No. 3, projected for August 2030. "The new elementary school located in the Kresston development will have a capacity for 900 students," officials stated. Other developments include renovations at Magnolia High School and upgrades to athletic facilities. The new Tomball Intermediate School is also in the final design stages, with an estimated completion in August 2028.

Credit recovery centers open at Beaumont high schools

Beaumont ISD has held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new Paul A. Brown Learning Center sites at West Brook High School and Beaumont United High School. The opening of the new sites follows the closure of the previous center, operated at a separate location, and they are intended to provide extra support for struggling students while still having access to school activities and remaining in proximity to their peers and teachers.

STEM

All-girl leadership school opens in Alief ISD

Alief ISD has opened its new Young Women's Leadership School, with 120 sixth- and seventh-grade students set to focus on STEM subjects, leadership and college preparation. Principal Tamara Albury said students "have been hungry for this opportunity", adding: "They want to do everything. They want to start everything. They really want to be leaders, and it's as if this program, this school has sort of answered the desire in their hearts to be heard."

HEALTH & WELLBEING

District reopens after COVID-19 closure

Students have returned to school campuses in the San Perlita ISD after a two-day closure to halt the "rapid spread of COVID-19". District Superintendent Annette Arredondo said closures in the rural district had been implemented "out of an abundance of caution", and said schools "will continue to emphasize proper cleaning and disinfecting practices, and the importance of staying home when experiencing symptoms of illness".

TECHNOLOGY

OpenAI's education strategy heats up

In January 1983, Apple initiated a program called Kids Can't Wait, providing free Apple IIe computers to California schools, aiming to secure future customers. Fast forward, OpenAI is adopting a similar strategy with its ChatGPT for Teachers program, which is now expanding to 55 school systems across 20 states, reaching over 300,000 educators. Leah Belsky, OpenAI's vice president of education, emphasized that the offering focuses on control rather than access, allowing districts to implement AI within legal frameworks. OpenAI is also introducing a National Data Privacy Agreement to streamline the evaluation process for schools. While ChatGPT leads in teacher engagement, it faces competition from Google and Microsoft, who have integrated AI into their existing platforms. OpenAI's free service is set to continue until June 2028, but the challenge will be maintaining user loyalty once fees are introduced. "The real test comes when the free period ends," the article notes.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe