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Texas
3rd November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Hinojosa rallies educators against Abbott

Ahead of Election Day Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, rallied with educators in San Antonio, emphasizing her commitment to public education and opposition to Gov. Greg Abbott's voucher plan. "We know that schools are essential to the American dream," Hinojosa said, highlighting her personal connection to education as she grew up in Brownsville, Texas. The rally, attended by union members and local leaders, aimed to boost support for Proposition A, which seeks to allocate $45m to Northside ISD for operational costs and teacher salaries. Northside AFT President Melina Espiritu-Asocar stressed the importance of supporting Hinojosa to secure better wages for teachers amid funding challenges. Hinojosa currently trails Abbott by 2.5 points in polls.

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.

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  • 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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VIRTUAL SCHOOLS

Texas virtual schools face funding scrutiny

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that Stride, a major U.S. virtual school operator, has received more than $1bn in Texas taxpayer funding despite concerns over academic performance and attendance. At Texas Virtual Academy, just 26% of tested students met reading expectations and 5% met mathematics standards in 2024-25, while roughly 14,000 pupils were flagged for truancy. Texas funding rules allow virtual schools to receive payments based on enrollment rather than actual student attendance. Stride maintains that many pupils enter significantly behind academically and that its programmes provide essential educational alternatives. Meanwhile, school district partnerships generate substantial revenue, even as struggling virtual campuses close and students transfer into newly established programmes. Texas regulators are developing stricter accountability measures, potentially closing consistently underperforming schools from 2027-28, raising questions about taxpayer spending, educational outcomes and oversight.

Montgomery ISD considers virtual learning

Montgomery ISD is contemplating a virtual learning pilot program to retain students and boost funding. Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin mentioned: "We're really trying to measure up how virtual learning may look at Montgomery ISD." The district has lost approximately 170 students to virtual options over the past two years, resulting in significant funding losses. With the introduction of school vouchers, which allow families to use public funds for education outside traditional schools, the district is actively seeking strategies to keep students enrolled. Ruffin emphasized the need for the board to continuously evaluate how to meet student needs in this evolving educational landscape. Montgomery ISD receives $6,215 per student in state funding, according to the Texas Education Agency.

GOVERNANCE

Austin schools seek charter lifeline

In an effort to avert state intervention, the Austin ISD is considering partnering with a charter or nonprofit to manage three campuses facing multiple failing ratings. Linder and Pecan Springs elementaries, along with Dobie Middle School, are at risk of triggering a state law that could lead to closures or a district takeover if they receive five consecutive failing grades. Joshua Jeon, Austin ISD's senior executive director of governance, accountability and strategy, said: "An 1882 partnership is essentially a backup plan if the turnaround efforts don't boost student learning." The district aims to secure a partner that meets Texas Education Agency requirements, with proposals accepted from Nov. 2-13. Linder and Pecan Springs both received their fourth consecutive F rating this year, while Dobie achieved a D rating, allowing it a pause year to improve. The board is expected to vote on the partnership proposal on March 25.

Election day excitement in Killeen

Voters in the Killeen-Fort Hood area are set to cast their ballots on today, facing a range of competitive races from federal to local levels. Key issues include public school funding, property tax relief, and infrastructure growth. Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are in a tight race for the U.S. Senate, with Paxton emphasizing his legal battles against Big Tech and Talarico focusing on economic populism. In Congressional District 31, incumbent John Carter faces Justin Early, who highlights rising living costs.

DISTRICTS

Dallas schools face potential closures

Six campuses within the Dallas ISD are at risk of closure due to a projected $104m budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. Community members, including parents and grandparents, gathered at J.J. Rhoads Learning Center to voice their concerns about the potential loss of the school, which they describe as “a pillar in the Sunny South Dallas community,” according to Ed Turner, a trustee representing the area. Parents like Taylor Estelle have initiated petitions to keep the school open, emphasizing its importance in providing educational resources and support. The district's board is set to discuss a consolidation proposal that includes J.J. Rhoads and other struggling campuses. Turner noted that while consolidation may be necessary: “We just want smart consolidation.”

Davis Middle School's surprising leap

San Antonio's Davis Middle School has made a notable improvement in the Texas Education Agency's 2026 A-F ratings, jumping from a score of 69 to 88. However, this high B grade reflects only the performance of 150 eighth graders, while the newly opened Davis College Prep, serving 264 sixth and seventh graders, received an F. Principal Juaquín Soliz has emphasized the need for substantial changes, stating: "You can't just wear a different hat and assume scores are going to improve." The TEA allows districts to restart schools with new academic models, providing a fresh start in accountability ratings. While some campuses have shown promise, the long-term success of these changes remains uncertain, as noted by Marisa Cannata from Vanderbilt University, who said: "Sustainable school improvement is really hard."

Hightower High gets major makeover

Fort Bend ISD has approved a turnaround plan for Hightower High School, aiming to enhance academic performance through targeted support and improved instruction. The Texas Education Agency mandates such plans for schools receiving unacceptable ratings for two consecutive years. Hightower has received a D rating for four years, while the district maintains a B rating. Chief Academic Officer Matt Warford emphasized the plan's focus on quality instruction, after-hours tutorials, and addressing performance gaps among Hispanic students. Goals include strengthening core instruction, improving End-of-Course exam results, and increasing college and career readiness. The plan must be submitted to the state by Nov. 20, and if Hightower does not achieve a C rating or higher in the next two years, it will remain under state monitoring, Warford said.

FINANCE

Cy-Fair ISD board tackles budget amendments

The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees will discuss budget amendments and improvement plans for the 2026-27 school year during meetings on Nov. 5 and 9. Currently, five propositions are on the Nov. 3 ballot, including a $1.63bn bond referendum. Proposition A proposes a 12-cent increase in the maintenance and operations tax rate, while Proposition B seeks $1.3bn for infrastructure and safety. If the voter-approval tax rate election fails, the board will need to adopt a lower tax rate of $1.0369 per $100 valuation for the 2026 tax year. The board will also review the annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025-26 and consider revisions to district policies. "The DEIC is accepting feedback regarding two calendar versions until Nov. 4," the district stated.

WORKFORCE

Teachers dominate Abilene ISD payroll spending

An analysis of Abilene ISD's salary data reveals that teachers constitute 41.36% of the workforce but receive over 50% of the total payroll spending, amounting to more than $52.2m. The average teacher salary stands at approximately $58,595. In contrast, professional and administrative staff, making up 17.08% of employees, earn nearly $27.6m, averaging $75,125. Paraprofessionals and support staff account for 19.36% and 19.22% of the workforce, respectively, with average salaries of about $25,110 and $25,930. The report highlights that "teachers make up just over 41% of district employees," underscoring their significant role in AISD's payroll structure.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Alvin ISD's $380m bond boosts schools

Alvin ISD is progressing with construction and renovation projects funded by its $380m voter-approved 2024 bond program. Nearly $225m is earmarked for new campus construction, which includes two elementary schools, a new junior high, and a replacement for Walt Disney Elementary. Earl Humbird Elementary will replace Walt Disney and Stevenson Elementary schools, with construction starting in summer 2026 and an expected opening in the 2028-29 school year. Additionally, Alvin High School is undergoing demolition and utility work for new construction, while Manvel High School's expansion will feature a dance gym and culinary lab. The bond program also includes security improvements at 23 campuses, with the final phase set for summer 2027. "The district's construction schedule and enrollment growth will guide future planning," documents state.

LEGAL

Principal faces misconduct allegations

Leonard High School principal Jansen Dru Trotter has been placed on administrative leave amid allegations of employee misconduct. Trotter was arrested on a state jail felony charge for failing to report misconduct with intent to conceal. Leonard police lead investigator Billy Ivy said authorities learned of a recorded message alleging inappropriate behavior on October 15, which Trotter was aware of but did not report to the district superintendent or law enforcement. The investigation continues, particularly concerning the original allegations against another educator. Trotter, who became principal in May 2026, is also under review by the Texas Education Agency's Educator Investigations Division.

TECHNOLOGY

SETDA report highlights EdTech funding gaps

U.S. state education leaders are increasingly prioritizing accountability, evidence-based purchasing, and teacher training over expanding educational technology, according to the 2026 State EdTech Trends Report from SETDA. Artificial intelligence (AI) remains the leading priority, cited by 79% of respondents, up from 68% in 2025, while 23% of states now have laws requiring AI guidance. However, funding and effectiveness remain major challenges, with 74% of respondents reporting insufficient dedicated ed-tech budgets and 52% collecting no data on technology usage or effectiveness. Meanwhile, 62% identify professional development as a major unmet need, up from 47% last year. States are also strengthening oversight, with 57% of respondents reporting statewide cellphone bans and 53% indicating that their states have issued purchasing guidance for AI-enabled tools. SETDA has emphasized stronger leadership, improved procurement standards, and sustained educator training to ensure technology investments deliver measurable educational benefits.

INTERNATIONAL

China strengthens child safety standards

China has introduced four new or revised mandatory national standards aimed at strengthening children's health and safety across education, sports training, and consumer products. The regulations establish stricter classroom lighting requirements to help prevent childhood myopia, addressing blue-light exposure, flicker, and lighting uniformity. Youth sports training providers must meet enhanced standards for instructor qualifications, class sizes, facilities, and emergency preparedness, with additional safeguards for high-risk activities. New product safety requirements cover goods intended for children under 14, introducing stronger protections against choking hazards, sharp edges, strangulation risks, and harmful chemicals. Revised toy safety standards also tighten restrictions on substances including formaldehyde, plasticizers, and boron, particularly in popular products such as slime and squishy toys. The measures are designed to close existing regulatory gaps, improve safety oversight, and establish more consistent standards across China's expanding children's products and services markets.
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