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Texas
2nd November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

AFT sues Trump Administration over student loan forgiveness delays

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), representing approximately 1.8m members, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the U.S. Department of Education unlawfully delayed or denied student loan forgiveness for tens of thousands of eligible public service workers. The lawsuit accuses Education Secretary Linda McMahon of miscalculating qualifying payments, reducing borrowers' previously credited payment counts, and failing to process applications under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback program. The program allows eligible government and nonprofit employees to receive federal student loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments, generally over 10 years. According to a court filing, approximately 88,000 borrowers were awaiting buyback decisions as of spring 2026. AFT President Randi Weingarten argues that the delays have forced teachers, nurses, and first responders to continue making payments despite meeting forgiveness requirements.  

STAAR PREPARATION

STAAR Gains Are Built Before Spring

92% of Texas schools using Lumos with fidelity see a 10–15% lift on STAAR scores. The campuses that gain the most don’t cram in spring. They use the winter months.

With fall benchmarks in, November is when your PLCs can turn that data into targeted practice inside existing intervention blocks, so students are ready well before the testing window.

What Lumos gives your campus:
  • Two full-length, tech-enhanced practice tests that mirror the STAAR format
  • Aligned to the TEKS and the STAAR blueprint
  • AI-powered intervention that targets each student’s gaps
  • Blended print + online: the same practice in class or at home
See the print and online samples for yourself.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Federal education civil rights protections face uncertainty

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) received a record 22,687 discrimination complaints in fiscal year 2024, raising concerns about the federal government's ability to protect students from racial harassment, sexual discrimination, and disability-related violations. In June 2026, the Trump administration announced an agreement to transfer most of OCR's enforcement responsibilities to the Department of Justice (DOJ), whose Educational Opportunities Section employed approximately 40 lawyers in January 2025 and subsequently lost most of its staff. The transition comes amid significant staffing reductions, the closure of seven of OCR's 12 regional offices, and a decline in complaint resolution agreements from 5% of pending cases in 2024 to less than 1% in 2025. Unlike OCR, which is required to review every complaint, the DOJ typically pursues a limited number of cases, often through lengthy federal court proceedings. Former Education Department officials warn that the restructuring could leave thousands of discrimination complaints uninvestigated, delay resolutions, and weaken federal civil rights protections for students.

STATE NEWS

Texas schools face grade penalties

Texas's educational accountability system is under scrutiny as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes legislation to lower a school district's A-F performance rating by one letter grade for having a banned book. This move highlights a disconnect between the current grading system and actual student learning. Dr. Brandon Enos, superintendent of Gunter ISD, emphasized that the A-F framework reduces schools to standardized test results, ignoring vital achievements in extracurricular activities, civic engagement, and workforce pathways. He stated: "If Texas leadership wants an accountability system that genuinely reflects educational excellence, it must move past punitive metrics." Enos advocates for a broader evaluation of student growth that includes character education and community support, which are essential for preparing students for life after graduation.

TECHNOLOGY

School leaders face AI adoption barriers

Nearly one-third of school and district leaders are not using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for operational tasks, according to a nationally representative EdWeek Research Center survey conducted between August 26 and October 6, 2026. The survey, which included 262 school and district leaders among 852 educators, found that administrators who use AI primarily apply it to communications, foreign-language translation, strategic planning, employee evaluations, and class scheduling. Education leaders identified student privacy concerns, limited staff expertise, insufficient professional development, and the absence of national guidelines as significant barriers to broader adoption. While many districts remain focused on AI's instructional implications, some are exploring its potential to improve administrative efficiency. Washington state's Peninsula School District, for example, uses AI to optimize transportation routes, enrollment reporting, and substitute teacher data analysis. Education leaders emphasized the importance of providing staff training, establishing clear safeguards, and developing consistent national guidance to help schools use AI effectively while protecting sensitive student information.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

School lockdowns expose socioeconomic inequalities

U.S. public school students face significant disparities in exposure to school lockdowns triggered by actual or nearby threats of violence, according to a study published in Educational Researcher. Drawing on data from more than 10,000 children, primarily ages 12 and 13, researchers found that approximately 20% had experienced a lockdown, including 8% in the previous year and just over 12% before that period. Students attending schools in lower-income districts and living in disadvantaged neighborhoods were more likely to experience recent lockdowns, highlighting inequalities in exposure to potentially traumatic events. Researchers warned that lockdowns can disrupt instructional time and affect students' emotional well-being, particularly in communities already facing limited resources. The study recommends standardized national tracking of lockdown incidents, stronger post-incident mental health support, and greater investment in preventing school violence, while acknowledging that its sample was not fully representative of the national student population.

Where do school shooters get guns?

The tragic cycle of school shootings continues, with a recent incident at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, where a 16-year-old shooter killed three children and an educator. The shooter used a gun purchased by his mother, highlighting a disturbing trend: in over 70% of school shootings since 1999, the assailant was under 18 and often accessed firearms from their home. Nina Vinik, founder of Project Unloaded, emphasized the need for a shift in beliefs about gun safety, stating: "If we want safer schools and communities, we have to start with understanding the beliefs that drive Americans' decisions with guns." Despite campaigns promoting secure gun storage, many gun owners still do not store their firearms safely, contributing to the ongoing crisis of gun violence in schools.

Northeast PD fires sergeants over shooting threat

Northeast ISD Police Department has terminated two sergeants and suspended three officers due to their inadequate response to a mass shooting threat at Serna Elementary School. Sgt. Moses Suarez and Sgt. Rey Bermea were fired, while Sgt. George Teniente, Det. Leticia Sanchez, and Officer Michael Luna received three-day suspensions. The district stated that the officers were "disciplined for their roles in how they handled a threat" but did not provide further details. Nathaniel Michael Carrasco, 22, has been charged with making a terroristic threat after allegedly using an AnthropicAI chatbot to express intentions to harm the school.

WORKFORCE

Train teachers, boost reading skills

The University of Houston (UH) is addressing the shortage of special education teachers through its Project BRIDGE, which stands for Building Reading Instruction and Dyslexia Guidance Expertise. Funded by a $1.25m grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, the initiative will cover the full tuition for a Master of Education in Special Education and a BRIDGE Certificate in inclusive education and dyslexia support. Kristi Santi, the principal investigator, emphasized that the program allows participants to complete their degrees while working. Applications are open until November 15, with the first cohort starting in January 2027. Desiree Carver-Thomas, a senior researcher at the Learning Policy Institute, highlighted the importance of training, stating, “Training is really crucial because teaching is such a hard job, and there's so many facets of it.” The program aims to improve literacy skills among Texas students, many of whom are not reading at grade level by third grade.

GOVERNANCE

Leadership shakeup at Argyle ISD

Argyle ISD is experiencing significant leadership changes following recent resignations from board members Matt Slaton and Sam Slaton. Matt Slaton resigned during a meeting on October 19, expressing dissatisfaction with the board's leadership and stating: “Unfortunately, the recent focus on personal agendas rather than the collective interest of the district...have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue serving with a clear conscience.” Sam Slaton also stepped down, praising the district's educational efforts. The board has appointed Sam Slaton as president and Leigh Ann Artho as vice president. These changes come amid criticism regarding the district's handling of a new high school and projected growth issues. Former board member Josh Westrom noted the need for “generous, thoughtful people” in leadership roles as the district navigates these challenges.

Northside ISD seeks new leader

Northside ISD trustees are eager to appoint a new superintendent by Christmas, with the goal of having the new leader start in January. The board has partnered with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for a national search following the retirement announcement of Superintendent John Craft. Jessica Palomares, the interim superintendent since August, has been leading the district in the meantime.  

ENROLLMENT

Killeen ISD faces enrollment crisis

Killeen ISD (KISD) is grappling with a significant decline in student enrollment, losing nearly 5,100 students over the past three years, including 2,700 in the last year alone. This drop has pushed total enrollment below 40,000, prompting the district to consider restructuring its resources. District spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said: "A 1% decrease in ADA results in approximately $2.8m in lost revenue," with projections indicating a potential reduction in state funding of $10m-$15m for the 2026-27 school year. Factors contributing to this decline include decreasing birth rates and the rise of alternative educational options. KISD is exploring various scenarios for school closures and consolidations, including the potential closure of several elementary schools and Ellison High School. Public hearings on these proposals will begin on November 9, urging community involvement in shaping the district's future.

DISTRICTS

Celebrating Pease Elementary's bright future

Austin leaders gathered at Pease Elementary School to celebrate its 150th anniversary and discuss its future as a childcare center. The United Way for Greater Austin plans to reopen the site in 2028, following its closure in 2020, with a focus on affordable childcare for Travis County families. “This vision for the reimagined campus is unlike anything else in Central Texas,” said Matias Segura, Austin ISD Superintendent. The renovation, costing $18.8m, will serve 120 children aged 0-6, prioritizing those from low-income families.

Texas school honors beloved custodian

In a recent ceremony, Aubrey ISD named a new elementary school after Marilyn Hampton, a custodian who dedicated 39 years to the district. Despite retiring in 2022, Hampton continued to support students as a substitute teacher. "Her legacy cannot be measured by a job title or a list of responsibilities, but by the countless students who knew her," said Superintendent Shannon Saylor during the announcement. The emotional moment was captured in a video that has gained significant attention online. Hampton expressed her gratitude, stating, "Oh my goodness," upon learning the school would bear her name. The new Marilyn Hampton Elementary School is set to open in August.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Celebrating diversity at Hallsville

Hallsville ISD is set to host a multicultural event today, celebrating the diverse cultures within its student body. The event will feature informational tables, folklorico performances, and various activities for attendees. Amy Whittle, the district's director of special and federal programs, said: “We were like, ‘How neat would it be if we did one district event to just kind of celebrate all the different traditions that are unique to our families in Hallsville?'” This year, the event will take place at Hallsville North Elementary from 5 to 7 p.m. to accommodate food truck vendors. Students from Hallsville West Elementary have been practicing folklorico dances, with emergent bilingual coordinator Eva Orduña emphasizing the importance of cultural connection.

INTERNATIONAL

Alberta announces education property tax cuts

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced reductions to education property taxes beginning in 2027, with homeowners and farmland owners expected to save nearly 7%, and commercial and industrial property owners receiving reductions of almost 5%. The province will introduce a standardized tax rate across municipalities and freeze it for three years, generating an estimated C$100m ($71.54m) in taxpayer savings during the first year. The announcement follows criticism of previous tax increases, particularly in Calgary, and comes amid declining political support for Smith’s government. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack welcomed the changes, while opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi argued that the reductions would provide limited relief after earlier increases. The government has also promised a one-time transition tax credit for affected property owners and confirmed that education funding will not be reduced.
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