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Texas
15th October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Eckhardt calls for voucher program oversight

Texas state Senator Sarah Eckhardt, the Democratic nominee for comptroller, is advocating for a thorough investigation into the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program, which allocated $1bn for school vouchers. Eckhardt emphasized the need for oversight, stating: "I would follow the law, but I would also follow the money vigorously." She expressed concerns about the program's impact on public education funding and the potential for increased costs, which could reach $4.4bn by 2028-29. Eckhardt aims to gather data on how voucher funds are spent and investigate the financial practices of private schools involved in the program. She noted that many families, particularly those with children with disabilities, are struggling to find suitable educational options. "The voucher program was sold as a way to create a choice for lower income families," she said, questioning its effectiveness. Meanwhile, her opponent, acting Comptroller Don Huffines, supports expanding the program.

MATHEMATICAL THINKING

Watch Mathematical Thinking Come to Life in Texas Classrooms

Great math classrooms are filled with curiosity, conversation, and discovery. Built specifically for Texas students and educators, Texas Math for Grades 6–12 promotes deep conceptual understanding, meaningful collaboration, and personalized learning that help every student succeed. Fully IMRA-approved and built for the rigor of Texas, the program pairs TEKS-aligned lessons and structured discourse with real-time data and adaptive practice through ALEKS — meeting each student exactly where they are. See it in action: take a look inside Texas Math to watch mathematical thinking come to life — students reasoning, collaborating, and growing into capable mathematicians. Watch how Texas Math inspires confident learners and supports lasting achievement.

Watch the video

 

STATE NEWS

Texas schools face funding crisis

Funding for public schools in Texas is significantly impacted by student attendance, with about 30% of students now utilizing the TEFA for private schooling or homeschooling. This shift is projected to cost public schools nearly $300m in revenue this year, according to Dee Carney, director of the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency at Our Schools Our Democracy. Carney said: “Out of the 184 school districts that were listed explicitly by the comptroller…almost a quarter of them came from the North Texas region.” The loss in funding raises concerns about potential cuts to teaching positions and student services, particularly in smaller districts where losing just a few students can lead to significant staffing changes.

Parents question school library councils

Parent-led panels established by Senate Bill 13 in 2025 aimed to enhance parental oversight of school library catalogs in Texas. However, many councils in North Texas report low community engagement and minimal book challenges. “What was the point of creating this?” questioned Bridget Melton, a member of the McKinney ISD library council. Despite the intention to involve parents, attendance at meetings has been sparse, with some councils meeting without any community members present. Mary Woodard, a retired librarian, noted that comments on acquisition lists are rare, indicating a lack of public interest. As the 2027 legislative session approaches, state leaders are considering stricter regulations on library materials, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatening penalties for districts that do not comply.  

GOVERNANCE

Guardrails aim to stabilize Fort Worth ISD

Fort Worth ISD is implementing new goals and guardrails to address teacher retention issues following a controversial state takeover. Nearly 800 teachers resigned within the first three months of the takeover, prompting the Board of Managers to revise expectations for Superintendent Peter Licata. A.J. Crabill, a former Texas Education Agency commissioner, emphasized that “the goals and guardrails are how you evaluate really every major decision that comes before you.” The new measures aim to ensure teachers have input on decisions affecting their classrooms and to prevent an increase in ineffective teachers. Licata described the goals as “aggressive and lofty,” with targets for student performance set to rise significantly over the next five years. The board plans to finalize these goals and guardrails in November.

DISTRICTS

Parents demand better for special needs

Parents of special education students in Fort Worth are accusing Fort Worth ISD of violating state and federal laws by not providing timely services. Caroline James, executive director of Literacy Fort Worth, said: “We are failing students and families at scale,” highlighting the widespread issues across Tarrant County. Parents shared their struggles with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) not being followed and delays in accommodations. Kim Medford, a parent, described her three-and-a-half-year battle to secure necessary testing for her son, who is currently reading at a first-grade level despite being in sixth grade. Ashish Talwar emphasized that parents should not have to monitor IEP compliance, stating: “It's not the job of the parents to act as daily auditors.” The press conference aimed to raise awareness and demand accountability from the district.

Boerne ISD earns top honor

The Boerne ISD has been named the 2026 Outstanding School Board by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), marking a significant achievement for the district. This honor recognizes the board's commitment to education and community, with the committee praising their “one team mentality” and dedication to shared leadership. Boerne ISD Superintendent Kristin Craft highlighted the board's strong advocacy for the district, stating: “Our trustees are thoughtful, engaged and deeply committed to the future of this district.” The board's initiatives, including the Citizen Leadership Academy, aim to cultivate future leaders. The award reflects the board's efforts to support all students, as noted by committee Chairman Larry Polk, who emphasized that “students are truly seen.” Boerne ISD serves over 11,200 students across 14 campuses.

Trustees greenlight school improvement plans

The Temple ISD board of trustees has approved improvement plans for six schools and established a framework for retention payments for principals during a regular meeting on Tuesday. State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, and State Rep. Hillary Hickland, R-Belton, presented congratulatory resolutions to board members and school principals for their academic performance on October 13. The initiatives aim to enhance educational quality and support leadership within the district.

Katy ISD rolls out cleaning robots

Katy ISD in Texas has introduced cleaning robots in 17 schools due to a shortage of 100 custodians. Chris Elliot, the district's media relations manager, said: "There are always new companies opening up. There are lots of choices for people." The district invested $1m in robots, each costing about $30,000, to assist with cleaning tasks after school hours. Elliot emphasized that the initiative is not intended to replace human workers, stating, "We're people oriented first. This is not about taking jobs." Currently, 70 schools in the district have yet to receive the robots, and the success of this rollout may influence future expansions.

FINANCE

Rising health costs challenge Ector County ISD

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees discussed rising health care costs during their October Workshop. The ECISD Medical Plan Committee reported a 9% increase in expenses for 2025, leading to a projected $9m deficit by 2027. To address this, the district plans to implement changes including increased premiums and deductibles, while focusing on keeping employee coverage costs low. "The changes are projected to offset most of the $9m deficit in the 2027 plan," the board recap stated. Additionally, the district's health clinic will expand hours, and telehealth services will remain free for employees. The board also reviewed updates on the Bilingual program and the WICOR instructional framework, highlighting improvements in English language development for students.

Moody Foundation commits $100m Locally

The Moody Foundation has pledged $100m over 10 years to support Galveston County schools, nonprofits, and community services. Applications are expected to open in January 2027, with funding decisions beginning later that year. Eligible organizations across education, healthcare, arts, and social services can apply, with no fixed limits on individual grants or recipients.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

West Rusk gets welding grant boost

West Rusk CCISD has received a $193,398 state grant to enhance welding training in collaboration with Kilgore College, benefiting 16 students. This funding is part of over $20m in Jobs and Education for Texans grants announced by Gov. Greg Abbott, aimed at improving career and technical education programs. West Rusk is one of three districts involved with Kilgore or Panola College, collectively securing $616,694 to support training for 146 students. Garrison ISD received $342,190 for 64 welding students, while Waskom ISD was awarded $81,106 for 66 medical assistant students. The JET grants will cover equipment purchases and installation, addressing start-up costs for these programs. The initiative is expected to train over 7,400 students across Texas in its first year.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Upgraded science labs coming soon

Friendswood ISD students at Windsong Elementary School and Bales Intermediate School will benefit from upgraded science labs starting in the 2027-28 school year, following the board's approval of preliminary designs on Oct. 12. Funded by the 2026 bond program, the renovations will transform existing classrooms into dedicated science spaces, featuring laboratory sinks and writable wall surfaces. The project budget is nearly $810,000, significantly lower than the initial $1m estimate.  

HIGHER EDUCATION

IP Education gaps in top schools

The 2026 Business School IP Education Report reveals that despite the increasing importance of intellectual property (IP) knowledge, none of the top 20 U.S. business schools require an IP course for graduation. The report, conducted by the Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU), highlights that while some programs have made progress, a quarter of the surveyed schools offer no IP courses at all. “Dedicated strategy courses, instruction embedded in growth and innovation electives, and interdisciplinary commercialization programs connect IP with the decisions business students are preparing to make,” the report states. The findings indicate a need for a layered approach to IP education, integrating it into existing business subjects to better prepare future managers for the challenges of intangible assets and AI.

AND FINALLY...

Teacher blasts off to zero gravity

Jessica Schilder, an Astronomy and Earth Science teacher at Tomball High School, has been accepted into the Space for Teachers Embedded Teacher Program. This opportunity allows her to travel to Bordeaux, France, for a zero-gravity research flight experiment starting on November 20. Schilder, who has been passionate about space since childhood, will conduct experiments on the effects of zero gravity on heat conduction. She expressed her excitement, saying, “Whenever you ask them that, you can see the wheels turning and that's my favorite part.” In preparation, she and 12 other teachers collaborated with industry experts at the Center for Space Research in Austin.  
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