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Texas
28th October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas invests $40m in educators

Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a $40m investment for 411 Texas school systems through the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnerships (PREP) Program Allotment. This funding aims to enhance teacher recruitment, preparation, and mentorship, thereby strengthening the state's educator workforce. "Texas educators shape future generations, and it is critical that they enter the classroom ready to succeed," said Abbott. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath emphasized that "strong teachers are the foundation of student success," highlighting the importance of this investment in building a robust educator pipeline. Established by House Bill 2, which provided a record $8.5bn in new public education funding, the PREP Program Allotment is part of Texas' commitment to improving public education and supporting teachers. For more details, visit the Texas Education Agency's PREP Allotment webpage.

DIGITAL CURRICULUM

Choose the Right Digital Curriculum

How do you determine which digital courses will meet your students’ and teachers’ needs best? Get expert answers to your digital curriculum questions in the free Digital Curriculum Buyer’s Guide from FlexPoint. While you learn how to identify quality digital courses, you’ll complete worksheets that will offer a clear path toward your goals. These insights, tips, and more are vital to making the right purchasing decisions for your school or district.

Download Free Guide

 

NATIONAL NEWS

McMahon names six education leaders to guide national testing policy

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has appointed six education leaders to the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees policies for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card. The appointees include elementary teacher Lauren Archer, high school principal Jacob Dykes, curriculum specialist Melia Franklin, mathematics teacher Mark Miller, Arkansas education secretary Jacob Oliva, and Arizona state representative Michael Way, who will serve as a parent representative. McMahon has also reappointed Tennessee state representative Mark White as board chair for a second one-year term. The appointments come as the board prepares to release national reading and math assessment results in early 2027 and advance its Next Gen NAEP modernization initiative. The 26-member board determines assessment subjects, content, achievement standards, and reporting policies, shaping how student performance is measured and communicated nationwide.

STATE NEWS

Texas voucher program lacks transparency

Texas' school voucher program is costing taxpayers $1bn in its first two years, leading to significant public school funding losses. The state comptroller's office, led by Interim Comptroller Don Huffines, has been criticized for not disclosing where these funds are allocated. Huffines promised to ensure transparency but has withheld information requested by Hearst Newspapers' Lawrence Mower, claiming it was to prevent "doxxing" of students. However, Mower clarified he sought only the names of private schools and vendors receiving funds. As Huffines pushes for increased funding, concerns arise about the program's effectiveness, especially since 70% of voucher recipients were already in private education. The editorial board emphasizes that public money requires public accountability, urging for transparency in the voucher program's spending.

TECHNOLOGY

U.S. schools struggle to contain cyber threats amid budget cuts, staff shortages, and AI risks

More than half of U.S. K-12 schools and districts experienced a cybersecurity incident over the past year, according to a report from the Center for Internet Security, MS-ISAC, and the Consortium for School Networking. Among affected institutions, 34% reported disruptions to daily operations, while 66% had just one or two dedicated cybersecurity staff members. The survey of 426 education technology leaders found that 56% considered their cybersecurity programs underfunded, 70% had delayed security investments because of budget constraints, and nearly 80% needed additional support. Phishing and email compromises were identified as leading threats by 87% of respondents, with artificial intelligence creating additional risks through increasingly sophisticated impersonation attempts. The report recommends stronger authentication, staff training, incident response planning, and formal AI policies to improve cybersecurity resilience and protect essential school services.

ENROLLMENT

Mission CISD faces enrollment crisis

The Mission CISD board has approved a resolution for Superintendent Cris King to conduct a thorough review of the district's programs, services, staffing, and expenditures. This decision comes amid a significant decline in student enrollment, which has dropped from 14,503 in the 2022-2023 school year to 12,868 this year, a decrease of approximately 11%. Board President Natividad ‘Nati’ Sosa emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating: “We’re trying to find solutions to these issues.” The resolution mandates a preliminary report from the superintendent in November, with refined options and recommendations to be presented in December and January, respectively. The district's budget for the 2026-2027 school year shows a revenue of about $187.8m against expenses exceeding $200m, highlighting the urgency of addressing these financial challenges.

DISTRICTS

Eanes ISD considers $20k tuition shock

Eanes ISD recently debated a controversial proposal to charge out-of-district students $20,000 annually for tuition, likening it to high-end designer goods. Jennifer Blackman, a board member, said: "Price signals quality," emphasizing that such a fee could elevate the perceived value of the district's education. Although the proposal was ultimately rejected during the October 20 meeting, discussions highlighted the district's appeal, with 614 non-resident students contributing approximately $4.5m in revenue. Instead, trustees are considering a plan to cap out-of-district transfers at 7% per campus, making it more challenging for families seeking enrollment. While the luxury tuition model is off the table, the future of transfer families remains uncertain.

San Marcos schools unveil bold plans

The principals of San Marcos High School and Mendez Elementary School have presented targeted improvement plans to the San Marcos CISD board of trustees. The plans aim to boost graduation rates at the high school, which improved from 39.2% in 2022 to 83.8% in 2023, with a goal of reaching 90.5% to 95% by spring 2027. Principal Eileen Grose said: “Every student deserves a clear path to graduation and an adult who helps them follow it.” Meanwhile, Mendez Elementary School, which received a 'D' rating from the Texas Education Agency in 2026, aims to achieve a 'C' or higher by 2027.  

Library material challenge rules change

McKinney ISD has amended its library material policy, restricting challenges to only parents and district staff. Jennifer Akins, the district's chief school improvement and federal programs officer, said: “Reviewing a challenge requires staff time and district resources,” emphasizing the need to focus on those with a direct connection to the schools. The new policy will be submitted to the Texas Education Agency for approval and will remain effective until June 30, 2028. While community members cannot challenge materials, they can still participate in the selection process.  

GOVERNANCE

Danbury ISD faces state intervention

The Texas Education Agency has placed Danbury ISD under a corrective action plan due to failures in documenting special education students' academic performance and post-high school plans. The review revealed that Danbury ISD did not meet two legal requirements related to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), which are essential for providing necessary services to students with disabilities. The district has one year to address these issues and comply with state standards.  

Sabine ISD voters face big decision

Residents of Sabine ISD are gearing up to make a significant decision regarding a voter-approved measure. The upcoming vote will determine funding allocations, with the district potentially receiving $850,000 for various educational initiatives. The proposal includes $170,000 for operational costs and $680,000 for infrastructure improvements.

Davis takes the helm at DeSoto ISD

Elna Davis has been named the lone finalist for superintendent of DeSoto ISD, following a unanimous vote by trustees. Davis, who has served as interim superintendent since September, is set to lead a district facing financial instability and leadership turnover. Board president Karen Lacy said, "Davis convinced us that we did not need to" interview other candidates. Previously, Davis was superintendent at Tarkington ISD, where she improved the graduation rate from 93.9% to 98.3% and saved nearly $1m in the budget. DeSoto ISD has struggled with finances, receiving an F in the Texas Education Agency's Financial Integrity Rating System for the 2025-26 school year. The final selection of Davis will occur in three weeks, as mandated by state law. “I look forward to this work,” Davis said during the meeting.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Marshall ISD earns CTE honor

Marshall ISD has been honored as a CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas. This recognition highlights the district's commitment to delivering high-quality career and technical education programs that effectively prepare students for future careers and higher education.  

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Arlington schools evacuated over bomb threat

Three schools in Arlington were evacuated following bomb threats reported on Tuesday morning. The Arlington Fire Department confirmed that Ditto Elementary School, Swift Elementary School, and Oakridge School received the threats around 10 a.m.

PARENTING

Navigating modern schooling as a grandparent

As older adults increasingly find themselves raising school-age children, they face the challenges of modern education, including navigating online portals and apps. Gerontologist Sam Cradduck emphasized that older caregivers are not alone in feeling overwhelmed, stating: “You may be the oldest member in the PTA, but you're not probably the most confused.” He highlighted that many younger parents also struggle with the new educational landscape. Experts like Katherine Ambrose and Amy O'Rourke encourage older caregivers to leverage their past experiences and seek help from resources such as librarians and school staff. Dr. Rhea Rogers noted that consistency is more important than perfection in caregiving, saying: “For a child, they just need consistency.”  

INTERNATIONAL

Alberta teachers warn of ongoing classroom pressures

One year after Alberta’s government forced teachers back to work following a three-week strike, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has warned that overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and inadequate student support remain unresolved. The 2025 Back to School Act imposed a four-year collective agreement and invoked the notwithstanding clause to shield the legislation from legal challenges. ATA president Jason Schilling described relations with the provincial government as “frosty,” calling for sustained education funding and the restoration of teachers’ Charter rights. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defended the government’s actions, highlighting the hiring of 2,100 teachers, 1,000 educational assistants, and plans for 700 classroom complexity teams, of which 81 are operational. 

Spanish language education expands across China

Spanish language education is experiencing rapid growth across China, with nearly 98,000 potential Spanish speakers and university course enrollment increasing 12.6% between 2023 and 2025, according to the Cervantes Institute’s Spanish in the World 2026 yearbook. The report, launched in Beijing to mark the institute’s 20th anniversary in China, highlights the expansion of Spanish programs from just 12 Chinese universities in 2000 to more than 100 today, while approximately 180 secondary schools offered Spanish courses as of 2025. Chinese universities have produced an estimated 55,000 Hispanic studies graduates through the class of 2025, reflecting growing demand for Spanish language skills and cultural exchange. The institute, which opened its Beijing center in 2006 and expanded to Shanghai in 2024, is also emphasizing Spanish’s growing importance in science, technology, and artificial intelligence.
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