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Texas
22nd September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Teacher misconduct reports skyrocket

The implementation of a new accountability law in Texas has led to a significant increase in teacher misconduct reports, which have tripled in one year. The Texas Education Agency's Educator Misconduct Reporting Dashboard revealed that 19,766 reports were filed during the 2026 fiscal year, averaging 1,647 monthly. This surge represents about 6% of the state's public school teachers, with the majority of reports coming from school superintendents. Notably, 7,288 investigations were related to violence or injury to children, while over 3,000 involved sexual misconduct allegations. The new law, SB 571, introduced by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in educator misconduct cases. “Educators, school employees, parents, students, service providers, and community members can use this page to understand their legal responsibilities,” the Texas Education Agency stated.

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STATE NEWS

Texas budget tackles property tax relief

Texas' 2026-27 budget allocates $51 bn for property tax relief, with Gov. Greg Abbott promising to eliminate school property taxes if reelected. Texas Republican leaders aim to remove the $8.6bn homeowners pay annually for school taxes, which are crucial for funding local public schools. Tetyana Melnyk, chief revenue estimator, noted that this cost could rise to $12bn by 2032. State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins raised concerns about the impact on schools, asking, "wouldn't that be harmful to our schools?" Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath emphasized the need for diverse revenue sources to fund education. Abbott's campaign press secretary, Eduardo Leal, stated that the governor wants the state to cover the full cost of replacing school tax revenue. However, constitutional changes require significant legislative support and voter approval.

Texas teens miss voting opportunity

An obscure Texas law mandates that high schools provide eligible students with voter registration opportunities, yet many schools fail to comply. According to research from The Civics Center, only 29% of 18-year-old Texans are registered to vote, a significant drop from 2022 and below the national average of 42%. Laura Brill, founder and CEO of The Civics Center, said: "Texas is one of very few states that declined." With the Oct. 5 registration deadline approaching for the Nov. 3 elections, advocacy groups like Youth Do Vote are working to increase registration rates. Heather Eichling, founder of Youth Do Vote, estimates that only 30% of high schools in Bexar County comply with the voter registration law, which she described as an "unenforced and unfunded mandate." Eichling emphasized the importance of early voting, saying: "Research has repeatedly shown that the younger a person is the first time they vote, the more likely they are to be a lifelong voter."

FINANCE

Houston ISD's costly academic reforms

Houston ISD is grappling with significant financial challenges as it implements costly academic reforms. The district has spent millions on new staff, higher salaries, and advanced technology, with an estimated additional cost of $700,000 per school in the first year. However, enrollment has plummeted by 21,000 students since the state takeover, resulting in a loss of approximately $190m in state funding. Superintendent Mike Miles acknowledged the financial stakes, stating: "Budgets are tough and going to remain tough when you have declining enrollment." As HISD prepares to transition back to local control, concerns grow about sustaining academic gains amid financial strain. Parent Heather Golden expressed worries, saying: "It will be almost impossible to even maintain these results because we don't have a financial cushion anymore."

Leander ISD seeks tax rate boost

In August, the Leander ISD board voted to place a tax rate election on the November ballot to raise approximately $6.7m in local funding. With a projected budget shortfall of $9.9m for the 2026-27 school year, district leaders are exploring revenue options while addressing campus needs. The proposed voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) would increase the current tax rate by three cents. If passed, it would generate about $12m, although $5.3m would be subject to state recapture. The district has already cut $26m in the last two budget cycles, and further reductions may include staff layoffs.  

Tax rate approved amid budget woes

College Station ISD approved its tax rate for the 2026-27 school year on Sept. 15, following several delays. The district faces an $8.3m budget shortfall due to “declining enrollment, rising costs and major facility needs.” CFO Heather Wilson noted that the tax rate will effectively increase by 1.33%, raising maintenance and operations taxes on a $100,000 home by about $12.75 annually. Board President Kim Ege clarified that while the tax rate remains unchanged, rising property values may lead to higher individual tax bills.

GOVERNANCE

HISD deputy superintendent resigns

Kristen Hole, the deputy superintendent of Houston ISD, announced her resignation to "reunite with her family" out of state, marking the third high-level departure from Superintendent Mike Miles' cabinet in two months. Hole has been credited with significant initiatives for the 2026-27 school year, including the launch of AI-focused schools and improvements in early literacy and special education services. Superintendent Miles expressed gratitude for her contributions, stating, "Kristen has been an invaluable member of our leadership team." The district has not disclosed a resignation date or a successor for Hole's position, which she held after being appointed chief of academics in February 2026.

DISTRICTS

Montgomery ISD's bold new plan

Montgomery ISD has reviewed its campus improvement plan presented by Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Amy Busby. The district's long-term initiative, Pathway to Premier, aims to establish it as Texas's leading school district by 2029. The updated goals, finalized in June 2024, focus on five key areas: academic achievement, school safety, finance and operations, human capital, and communication. Busby mentioned that various strategies are being implemented across campuses, such as additional staff at Creekside Elementary for reading and math support, enrichment time at Kenan Elementary, and anti-bullying discussions at Lincoln Elementary. Lake Creek High School is forming a coalition to analyze performance data, while Montgomery High School is working to enhance End-of-Course exam scores. These initiatives are designed to support students below grade level and challenge those excelling in their studies.

Boosting growth: Richardson ISD's bold plan

Richardson ISD is set to enhance academic growth, staff retention, and instructional quality in its 2026-27 District Improvement Plan (DIP), which will be presented for board approval on Oct. 15. Assistant Superintendent Jennie Bates emphasized the importance of a data-driven approach, stating: “We're basically putting the culture of the district into a document.” The plan outlines five key priorities: ensuring 100% growth for students and staff, recruiting diverse talent, providing high-quality instruction, strengthening community engagement, and ensuring transparent resource management. Additionally, RISD plans to enhance teacher recruitment and retention through professional development and performance management systems. The DIP aligns with RISD's Strategic Plan 2023-2028 and aims to support individual growth for all students and staff.

TECHNOLOGY

Dallas schools need an AI timeout

As Dallas-Fort Worth is set to become the third-largest U.S. metro area, the local education system must adapt, particularly regarding AI use in classrooms. Abby McCloskey, founder of McCloskey Policy consulting firm, argues that while some districts, like Los Angeles and New York City, have restricted AI, Dallas ISD's guidance suggests treating AI as a reading companion. However, studies indicate that reliance on AI leads to cognitive offloading, with MIT researchers noting that users of ChatGPT exhibited "55% less brain activity." Furthermore, a University of Hong Kong study found that students using AI scored 20% lower on exams. McCloskey emphasizes the need for a pause or ban on AI in schools to prioritize critical thinking and traditional learning methods, suggesting that Dallas could pilot restrictions similar to those in other major cities.

Revolutionizing education with AI

The Alpha School, located in The Woodlands, is pioneering a curriculum that integrates artificial intelligence with traditional academics and essential life skills for students from pre-K to high school. Cofounder MacKenzie Price emphasized the importance of fostering a love for learning, stating: "When kids love school, it allows us to help them do hard challenging things." The school maintains small class sizes, with a maximum of 65 students, and employs an AI learning platform for personalized, mastery-based tutoring. This innovative approach enables students to learn twice as much in just two hours of academic schooling per day compared to the national average. Additionally, the curriculum focuses on life skills such as teamwork, storytelling, and financial literacy. 

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Hazardous sites surround many schools

A nationwide analysis, carried out by researchers from Brown University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found that 44% of U.S. pre-K through grade 12 schools are located within one mile of a known hazardous site. Nearly 10,000 schools, or about 8% of U.S. schools, are within a quarter mile of sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency, including Superfund sites, brownfields, and Toxics Release Inventory facilities. Native, Black, Hispanic, and low-income students are more likely than white students to attend schools near hazardous sites, while proximity levels are similar for public and private schools. Researchers said the findings likely underestimate schools’ overall exposure to environmental hazards because the analysis excludes unlisted hazardous sites and other pollution sources, including highways, wildfire smoke, and lead plumbing inside schools. The study highlights potential health and educational concerns because children are particularly vulnerable to environmental exposures as their bodies and brains develop.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

District leaders drive security purchases

School security purchasing decisions are typically shaped by multiple district officials, with superintendents and school boards playing the biggest roles, according to an EdWeek Research Center survey. Among 237 district and school leaders surveyed, 63% said superintendents have major influence over security purchases, 46% cited school boards, 34% pointed to school leaders, 31% named finance and budgeting officials, 29% cited technology leaders, and 26% identified operations leaders. The purchasing process varies by district, product, cost, and complexity. In Quincy Public Schools in Illinois, a student bringing an unloaded gun to a football game accelerated plans to upgrade screening, leading the school board to approve nearly $297,000 for a weapons-detection system. In other districts, technology directors, security staff, finance officials, and senior administrators may lead product evaluation before larger purchases go to the superintendent and school board for approval. The U.S. educational security market is estimated at up to $4bn, attracting vendors selling cameras, weapons-detection systems, access controls, emergency communications tools, and other products.  

HIGHER EDUCATION

Boris Johnson to speak at FSU

Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to speak at Florida State University (FSU) today, during a lecture titled "Saving the West." The event is part of the Institute of Governance and Civics (IGC) Fall 2026 Speaker Series, which aims to engage students with significant political figures. IGC Director Ryan Owens emphasized the importance of student engagement with historical ideas, stating: "We want students to learn from Johnson's experiences." However, some FSU students have expressed concerns about the lecture's title, fearing it may imply anti-immigrant sentiment. Critics also point to Johnson's controversial past, including the "Partygate" scandal that led to his resignation in 2022. Despite mixed reactions, the lecture has sold out, indicating strong interest from the FSU community. Owens noted: "It is remarkable that we [FSU] are able to attract such an important historical figure."
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