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Texas
8th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Public confidence in U.S. schools hits 27-year low

Americans’ satisfaction with K-12 education has fallen to its lowest level since Gallup began tracking the issue 27 years ago, with just 32% of adults saying they are completely or somewhat satisfied, down 11 percentage points in two years, while 67% are dissatisfied. The decline has been particularly pronounced among Democrats, whose satisfaction has fallen about 19 points since President Donald Trump began his second term in 2025, although Independents and Republicans have also become less satisfied. Concerns extend beyond politics, with falling national test scores, pandemic-related learning disruption, technology use, and questions about schools’ ability to prepare students for college and employment contributing to declining confidence. Parents remain considerably more positive about their own children’s education, with roughly two-thirds satisfied, while a separate survey found only about 20% of Americans believe schools are doing a good or excellent job teaching critical thinking or preparing students for today’s workforce.

SPECIAL EDUCATION AS AN INTERVENTION

A Powerful Lens for Supporting Students with Learning Differences

Every school year, meetings take place across the state as Texas educators collaborate to support student learning through multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). These meetings represent a significant investment of time and effort aimed at improving outcomes for all learners, especially those with learning differences who face the greatest challenges in progress and achievement.

To make the most of this time, school teams must focus on identifying effective interventions. But what exactly is intervention in the context of special education? How does it differ from specially designed instruction (SDI)? And how can tools like MTSS and response to intervention (RTI) guide our decisions?

Read this article to explore special education as an intervention

 

STATE NEWS

Gina Hinojosa aims for history

Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative, is making history as she runs for governor of Texas, potentially becoming the first Latina to hold the position. Polls indicate she is within striking distance of incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, with a recent Texas Pulse poll showing her trailing by just 1%. "I don't see a lot of signs of Democratic strength, but I see a lot of signs of Democratic potential," said Kirby Goidel, a political science professor at Texas A&M. Hinojosa's campaign focuses on addressing the cost-of-living crisis and reforming education, including reducing standardized testing. She has a strong background in civil rights law and has been active in local education issues. With the election approaching on Nov. 3, Hinojosa aims to unite Texans around her agenda and challenge the long-standing Republican dominance in the state.

Texas education board sparks controversy

The State Board of Education in Texas has approved a new social studies curriculum for public high school students, igniting controversy, particularly regarding lessons on Islam and Christianity. Hundreds of Texans have voiced their opinions during lengthy meetings. Board member Brandon Hall said: "Texas is a majority Christian state, and Christians do not recognize Mohammed as a prophet," highlighting the contentious nature of the changes. The curriculum will now describe early Islamic campaigns as "brutal," a term that board member Will Hickman argued is inconsistent with how other historical events are described. Additionally, the board approved teaching that the September 11 attacks were motivated by "Radical Islam," a point that Sameeha Rizvi from the Council on American-Islamic Relations cautioned could mislead students about the complexities of the issue.

NATIONAL NEWS

American students lose ground in reading and math

U.S. students have recorded a sharp decline in reading performance since 2022, with scores for 15-year-olds approaching their lowest level in 25 years, while math results remain among the weakest since Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) testing began in 2000. Although the U.S. continues to perform above the OECD average in reading and science, and around the middle of the pack in math, it remains well behind leading education systems, including Singapore, Japan, Korea, and the Chinese regions included in the assessment. Only 8% of American teenagers reached the highest proficiency levels in math, compared with 37% in Singapore, 23% in Korea, and 22% in Japan, while the share of U.S. students failing to reach basic proficiency in reading and math has risen over the past decade. The deterioration forms part of a broader global decline, with reading scores falling across many industrialized countries and math performance weakening internationally, as experts point to growing technology use, reduced recreational reading, and lingering pandemic disruption as contributing factors. Researchers cautioned that U.S. participation rates fell below PISA targets, but said the overall results still provide strong evidence that American students have lost academic ground.

WORKFORCE

Uncertified teachers a growing trend in Texas

Round Rock ISD (RRISD) is utilizing a policy exemption to hire uncertified teachers as long-term educators. This approach is part of a broader trend among Texas districts, but new legislation mandates that exemptions for core subject certification must be phased out by the 2027-28 school year. Currently, 14 uncertified teachers are pursuing credentials through an alternative certification program, with three enrolled in the RRock Teach program. Eddie Curran, RRISD chief of human resources, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: “We have some of the best people in our classrooms who are not teachers as well.” The RRock Teach program, in partnership with iTeach, covers up to 95% of certification costs, requiring participants to commit to two years of service in the district post-certification. This initiative aims to address high-need areas like math and science while also providing pathways for non-teaching employees.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment crisis hits San Antonio schools

Gilbert Cavazos, a truancy officer in South San Antonio ISD, is dedicated to ensuring students attend school. Despite his efforts, enrollment has dropped significantly, with 6,322 students attending this fall, a decline of about 700 from last year and 25% from pre-pandemic levels. Factors contributing to this trend include a shift to private and charter schools, lower birth rates, and immigration issues. Renzo Soto, deputy director of education and workforce at Texas 2036, said: "We're seeing fewer and fewer students enter our public school system right from the get-go." As districts adapt to these changes, they are focusing on retaining current students and improving educational offerings to remain competitive.

FINANCE

Robinson ISD reworks bond proposal

Robinson ISD voters will consider an $81.2m bond on November 3, with 95.3% of the funding dedicated to building a new junior high. The proposal follows the May 2025 rejection of a broader $95.5m package and reflects community feedback favoring a more focused plan. The bond would also relocate the high school weight room, convert the current junior high into administrative offices, add elementary playground equipment, and support campus grade realignment to ease overcrowding. Approval would raise the tax rate by 14.47 cents per $100 of property value, costing the owner of an average-value homestead about $281.88 annually. Superintendent Michael Hope said residents “wanted a totally brand new school and specifically a junior high.” Trustee Jason Hahn supports replacing the junior high but voted against putting the proposal on the ballot, saying, “I think we could do it more frugally.”

LEGAL

Lawmakers question Barbers Hill foundation

Texas lawmakers scrutinized Barbers Hill ISD’s education foundation over its finances, investments, transparency, and potential conflicts involving Superintendent Dr. Greg Poole’s daughter. A Texas Public Policy Foundation review said about $97.1m moved to the foundation between 2012 and 2025, while Poole defended the transactions as legal, audited, and beneficial to taxpayers. “The chief financial officer of the state of Texas approved every single agreement,” Poole told lawmakers. Commerce Street Holdings said Hillary Poole was hired after its investment contract was approved and had no role in managing the foundation portfolio.

GOVERNANCE

Strategic planning helps school boards navigate community tensions

U.S. school boards are increasing efforts to strengthen relationships with families and communities as they contend with misinformation, political divisions, financial pressures, academic performance concerns, staffing issues, special education, and school facilities. An EdWeek Research Center survey of 494 school board members found that boards using continuous strategic planning generally reported lower levels of conflict, with more than three-quarters of those routinely engaged in strategic planning saying community conflict had decreased or remained stable over the past year. Boards are also emphasizing empathy, public forums, parent surveys, translation services, and meetings held within local communities to improve communication and ensure residents feel heard. Larger districts face particular challenges, with 39% of respondents from districts serving more than 10,000 students identifying school openings and closures as a major source of conflict, compared with 17% in districts serving fewer than 1,000 students.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

South Texas kids cafe program serves up free meals

The South Texas Food Bank's Kids Cafe Program provides free after-school meals and snacks to children aged 18 and younger across eight counties, including Webb and Zapata. “We provide free nutritious meals and snacks in several convenient locations throughout our service area after-school,” the South Texas Food Bank said. The program, part of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, serves an average of 700 children daily, ensuring no child goes hungry after school. Launched in 2004, the Kids Cafe Program also offers enrichment opportunities at various sites, allowing children to engage in educational activities and receive tutoring. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

Texas A&M narrows core curriculum

Texas A&M System regents approved removing more than 350 courses from the core curriculum, including 103 at College Station, following a state-required review under Senate Bill 37. Courses addressing LGBTQ literature, cultural studies, and climate change are among those affected, though they remain available as electives or within degree programs. Vice Chancellor Dr. James Hallmark said: “They are not removed from the curriculum,” and denied political criteria guided the review. Faculty critics argue the changes disproportionately affect subjects involving race, gender, multiculturalism, and climate change and could limit students’ exposure to important issues.

INTERNATIONAL

Austria's headscarf ban faces backlash

Austrian schools are set to implement a controversial ban on headscarves for children under 14, which has drawn criticism from various groups, including the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGO). The ruling coalition, which includes the far-right Freedom Party, argues the ban protects girls' freedom. However, IGGO has labeled the legislation as discriminatory and plans to challenge it in the Constitutional Court. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr acknowledged uncertainty about the court's response, stating, "You can never be completely certain." The new school year begins in three Austrian states, with protests anticipated from left-wing student organizations against the ban. Schools are required to discuss the ban with students who defy it, with fines ranging from €150-€800 ($174-$929) for non-compliance.

South Korea shifts international student strategy from recruitment growth to quality

South Korea is shifting its international education strategy from increasing student numbers to improving educational quality, student protections, employment outcomes, and long-term settlement after the number of international students reached 307,464 in 2026, nearly 70% above 2023 levels and exceeding the government’s 300,000 target a year early. The Education Ministry plans tighter oversight of universities and recruitment agencies, including standardized recruitment agreements, clearer tuition refund requirements, stronger monitoring of advertising practices, and potential amendments to the Higher Education Act. From 2029, its university certification system will place greater emphasis on education and student-support quality, while the required share of international students meeting recognized Korean- or English-language standards will rise from 40% in 2026 to 60% by 2030. The government will also expand employment and settlement support after only 33.4% of eligible international graduates found jobs in Korea in 2024.
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