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Texas
2nd October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas schools embrace AI despite concerns

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has initiated a pilot program to implement Alpha School's AI tool in public schools, despite concerns raised by the State Board of Education. Mike Morath, the state's education commissioner, has been actively involved in promoting the AI program, even after the board rejected Alpha's charter application due to worries about its effectiveness and student screen time. Morath said: “Our goal is to make sure that children have access to great schools,” highlighting the push for innovative educational tools. However, experts like David DeMatthews from the University of Texas at Austin expressed skepticism, noting the lack of proven success in public schools. The TEA maintains that while it connects districts with Alpha, the decision to adopt the program lies with the districts themselves.

INSTRUCTIONAL COHERENCE

No More Patchwork Literacy: TX Teachers Need Cohesive Resources

How can you spend more time teaching instead of countless hours scouring the internet looking for engaging, authentic texts, supplemental worksheets, foundational skills support, TEKS-aligned activities, or assessments that pinpoint student progress? Piecing together fragmented resources isn’t just exhausting; it creates inconsistent learning experiences for students who need steady, structured growth. When instructional tools lack alignment across grade levels, critical skills fall through the cracks during key transitions. You shouldn't have to act as a curriculum designer on top of everything else you do.

Texas educators deserve a unified, evidence-based instructional approach that meets every learner, from PK through high school, at their precise point of need. Consistent, high-quality materials free teachers to focus on what matters most: delivering impactful, engaging instruction.

Discover how a unified PK-12 literacy strategy empowers teachers and elevates student reading outcomes.

 

LEGISLATION

Texas judge rules on Ten Commandments

In a significant ruling, a Texas state district court judge ordered Galveston ISD to display donated copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms within 10 days. This decision concludes the district's prolonged resistance against a law mandating such displays in Texas public schools. "It's a closed question," said Galveston school board President Anthony Brown, affirming their compliance with the law. The ruling follows a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who argued that the district was violating the law. While the district's attorneys indicated that the legal battle is ongoing, with a potential U.S. Supreme Court review pending, the judge's decision requires immediate action on the Ten Commandments display. The Supreme Court previously struck down a similar law in Kentucky in 1980, citing First Amendment violations, but recent rulings have shifted the legal landscape.

NATIONAL NEWS

New federal scholarship opens doors

Nearly all schoolchildren in over 30 states can apply for the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit starting January 1, which aims to support private schooling, homeschooling, and other educational costs. This initiative, introduced by the Trump administration, allows taxpayers to donate to scholarship organizations and receive a federal tax credit. About 96% of children in participating states are expected to qualify. The program is designed to ease access for low-income families, allowing proof of government assistance as an application substitute. "Scholarship recipients could use their funding to pay for religious or private school tuition, homeschooling costs, tutoring and special education therapies," officials stated. While many states have opted in, some governors express concerns about diverting resources from public schools. The IRS predicts the program could generate nearly $26bn for 2.2m scholarships annually.

GOVERNANCE

Fort Worth ISD's accountability overhaul

The Fort Worth ISD board is drafting new accountability goals and limits for Superintendent Peter Licata, focusing on community feedback regarding scripted lessons. During a recent workshop, board members discussed the need for teacher input on instructional changes, with Manager Tennessee Walker emphasizing the importance of "sustainable results" and teacher trust. Licata defended his approach, stating: "Right now we're getting pretty damn good results." However, the board ultimately decided to require the superintendent to seek teacher feedback on significant changes. The proposed goals include increasing student performance in reading and math by 5 percentage points annually and addressing the representation gap in survey responses. Community member Norma Garcia-Lopez highlighted the need for inclusivity, stating: "I cannot sit quietly when I see communities potentially being left out." The board aims to finalize these goals and limits at their upcoming meeting on November 10.

FINANCE

Funding crisis looms for Houston schools

Nearly half of the 80 school districts in the Houston-Galveston area may lose a total of $68m in funding due to approximately 8,100 students leaving for private or homeschool options through state-funded vouchers. A report from Every Texan and the Texas Center for School Voucher Transparency revealed that the financial impact is part of a larger statewide loss exceeding $220m. Erin Baumgartner, director of the Houston Education Research Consortium, said: “There is a perception that ‘Oh, this money isn't coming out of public school funding.' But we are directly pulling resources from school districts.” The report highlights the uneven effects across districts, with larger districts like Houston and Cy-Fair facing significant losses. As the program continues, the financial implications for public education could deepen, prompting concerns about staffing and resources.

Fuel costs strain school budgets

As fuel prices soar, school districts in Denton County are grappling with budget constraints. Krum ISD Superintendent Jason Cochran said: "We also plan for a potential variance of approximately 10% to 20%," to manage fuel costs. The Texas Education Code does not mandate transportation, yet many districts provide it to support students, especially those from low-income households. Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster over rising fuel costs, which affects all sectors, including education. Ponder ISD Superintendent James Hill noted that rising fuel costs could significantly impact future budgets, stating: "Fuel costs alone could create a substantial increase." Denton ISD's Chief Communications Officer Nick Petito emphasized the need for careful planning, as current fuel prices are already straining their budget.

Killeen ISD scores perfect financial rating

Killeen ISD has achieved the highest financial accountability rating in Texas for the 24th consecutive year, scoring a perfect 100 on the Texas Education Agency's annual review. District spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said KISD received an “A – Superior Achievement” rating through the 2026 School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas). “School FIRST evaluates how well public school districts manage their financial resources,” Rudolph said. KISD earned all 100 points available, with a minimum of 90 points required for the Superior Achievement designation. KISD's Chief Financial Officer Kallen Vaden emphasized the importance of this rating, commenting: “Earning the state's highest rating for 24 consecutive years reflects the responsibility we have to our taxpayers and our community.”

WORKFORCE

Fort Worth ISD faces teaching vacancies

Fort Worth ISD is currently facing a significant number of teaching vacancies, despite initially announcing zero openings before the school year began. As of September 30, the district's recruiting website lists numerous positions across more than 20 campuses. A spokesperson did not respond to inquiries regarding these openings. Superintendent Peter Licata mentioned that over 1,000 teachers resigned after the Texas Education Agency took over the district in March, marking a 58% increase from the previous year. Licata said: “There were over 1,000 separations, and those happened for various reasons.” The district is actively working to fill these vacancies, having held a job fair on September 26 and posted openings on social media. Parents have expressed concerns about frequent teacher changes, indicating the challenges the district faces in maintaining stability for students.

DISTRICTS

Allen ISD sets legislative priorities

Allen ISD has established its legislative priorities ahead of the 2027 Texas legislative session, focusing on teacher recruitment and retention, school funding, local decision-making, and accountability for publicly funded education organizations. During a meeting on Sept. 28, board president Polly Montgomery emphasized the importance of aligning priorities, stating, “We start now in reaching out, which is why it's so important to get these priorities tightened up and we're all on the same page.” The district aims to advocate for better funding for school safety and the Teacher Retirement System, while also preserving local governance. Additionally, they seek to ensure accountability for all schools receiving state funds, including private institutions.

Houston ISD contracts revealed: what’s inside?

The Texas Attorney General's Office has mandated Houston ISD to disclose detailed contracts related to four high-performing campuses that transitioned to independent charters under Senate Bill 1882. The contracts, approved by the HISD Board of Managers on March 26, 2026, lack essential appendices, leaving key details about academic and financial plans undisclosed. HISD initially resisted releasing this information, citing confidentiality concerns. However, after nearly five months, the AG's office ordered the release of 772 pages of documents, which include plans for staffing, funding, and operational autonomy.

Academy faces takeover threat

Texas law mandates state intervention for school districts with campuses receiving five consecutive F ratings. Richardson ISD Academy recently received its fourth F, raising concerns about a potential takeover. However, the school has a Math Innovation Zone designation, which pauses its multi-year F count, keeping it at three. Principal Christine Gibson emphasized the school's commitment to improvement, stating:, "We identified key areas where the campus needs to improve." The district is implementing a turnaround plan with targeted strategies to enhance student performance and prevent further F ratings.

Frisco ISD seeks class size waiver

Frisco ISD is pursuing a state waiver for elementary classes in pre-K through fourth grade that exceed the mandated ratio of 22 students per teacher. The board approved this request during its meeting on Sept. 21. Texas law requires districts to notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) when class sizes exceed this limit and to seek an exception if it causes "undue hardship." FISD must submit the waiver request within 30 days of exceeding the limit and inform parents of affected students in writing. Exceptions granted by the TEA expire at the end of the school year.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New designs approved for Bryan schools

Bryan ISD trustees approved the schematic designs for the new Bryan Collegiate High School and the Merrill Green Field House, allowing both projects to advance in planning. The $49m construction project will be funded through the district's 2025 bond. Meanwhile, the Merrill Green Field House will serve various athletic and community functions, with construction expected to begin in 2027. The field house project is estimated at $35.8m and aims for completion by fall 2028.

CURRICULUM

Micro:bit coding program expands nationwide

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is expanding its coding and computer science program nationwide after a Los Angeles County pilot reported improvements in teacher confidence, instructional capacity, and student engagement. The 2025 pilot, supported by Google.org, reached more than 3,100 students and 154 teachers across 84 schools, with 95% of participating teachers reporting increased confidence in teaching computer science. Google.org is providing an additional $520,000 to expand the initiative to schools across 49 states, Washington, D.C., and two U.S. territories during the 2026-27 school year, bringing its total support to more than $1.1m. The expanded program will use the programmable BBC micro:bit for hands-on coding and will also provide access to micro:bit CreateAI, which allows students as young as eight to explore machine learning through physical AI projects.
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