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Texas
5th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Hinojosa vows to reshape Texas education

Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has pledged major education reforms, including removing Education Commissioner Mike Morath, ending the $1bn school voucher program, replacing the A-F accountability system and halting state takeovers of struggling districts. Her victory has renewed optimism in Austin and Fort Worth ISDs, where state intervention has raised concerns about local control. Fort Worth's takeover, triggered by repeated failing ratings, replaced elected trustees with appointed managers and introduced controversial changes, prompting teacher departures and complaints about transparency and instructional materials. Zach Leonard, president of Families Organized and Responding to Takeover, described the election as a “repudiation” of the Texas Education Agency's direction. Education Austin President Ken Zarifis also welcomed the prospect of ending state interventions. However, Hinojosa faces obstacles from the Republican-controlled Legislature, while districts must continue addressing academic performance concerns. The timeline for reversing existing takeovers remains uncertain.

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STATE NEWS

Texas schools face Ten Commandments mandate

Texas public schools have begun displaying Ten Commandments posters in classrooms under a new state law requiring the biblical text to appear prominently in every classroom, despite ongoing constitutional challenges. The legislation has prompted sharply divided reactions, with supporters arguing that the displays promote traditional moral values, while opponents contend that they violate the First Amendment's prohibition on government establishment of religion. A conservative Christian organization has launched a compliance tracker to monitor implementation across approximately 9,000 public schools, while other groups are distributing alternative posters featuring Buddhist teachings, human rights principles, and objections to the mandate. Many school districts have instructed teachers to treat the displays as legal requirements rather than instructional materials. More than a dozen families from different religious backgrounds have challenged the law, which survived an appeals court ruling in April. The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether to hear the case, leaving schools to navigate the mandate amid continuing debate over religious expression, constitutional protections, and public education.

Texas vaccine debate heats up

In Texas, the debate over childhood vaccinations is intensifying as parents advocate for maintaining existing vaccine standards. Jeff Mazzella, president of the Center for Individual Freedom, emphasized the importance of balancing individual liberty with public health, stating: "The question before Texas is not whether individual freedom matters; of course it does." A recent survey revealed that 77% of likely voters support mandatory vaccinations for public school students, while 87% believe insurance should cover vaccines, even those removed from the federal list. The state has a framework that allows for vaccination exemptions, yet the rise in preventable diseases, such as the 2025 measles outbreak with 762 confirmed cases, highlights the need for continued vaccine access. As Texas navigates federal changes to vaccine recommendations, the focus remains on ensuring public safety while respecting parental rights.

NATIONAL NEWS

U.S. teacher pay falls behind global peers

U.S. public school teachers earn significantly less than other college-educated professionals, with a new Brookings Institution analysis ranking the United States last among more than 30 industrialized countries for primary school teacher pay relative to other graduates. The study found that American primary school teachers earn approximately two-thirds of what other college graduates receive annually, while separate research from the Economic Policy Institute revealed a 25% teacher pay gap in 2025. Brookings also highlighted a long-term decline in the proportion of public school spending allocated to teacher salaries, falling from 57% in 1919 to 26% in 2019, partly reflecting increased investment in staffing rather than higher wages. According to the National Education Association, average teacher salaries reached $74,495 during the 2024–25 school year, up 3.5% annually but still 5% below levels from a decade earlier after adjusting for inflation. The findings have prompted renewed discussion about targeted pay increases for teachers in hard-to-staff schools, specialized subjects, and high-performing roles as districts contend with tightening budgets and declining enrollment.

FINANCE

Voters say no to tax hikes

Voters across 11 Central Texas and Houston-area school districts rejected proposed property tax increases intended to fund staff raises, address budget deficits and cover rising operational costs. In Central Texas, Bastrop, Del Valle, Georgetown, Leander and Round Rock ISDs saw proposals defeated by margins ranging from 52% to 66%. Houston-area districts, including Cy-Fair and La Porte, experienced similar opposition, with 63% of La Porte voters rejecting an increase that would have generated over $8m toward a $12m deficit. While some residents supported additional school funding, others cited household financial pressures. La Porte voter Melissa Torres explained: “To them it might be 12 cents, but to us that goes towards our milk, our bread.” University of Houston education professor Virginia Snodgrass Rangel suggested broader property tax debates influenced voter opposition. Meanwhile, Manor ISD voters approved a $400m bond package for campus improvements and technology upgrades, highlighting differing attitudes toward school funding proposals.

Lubbock-Cooper voters reject tax hike

Lubbock-Cooper ISD voters overwhelmingly rejected Proposition A, with 59.9% voting against it. The proposal aimed to increase property taxes by approximately $65 annually for the average home, generating about $3.85m for teacher salaries and school operations. Supporters argued that the district, now in its fourth year of operating at a deficit, would face staffing cuts and larger class sizes without the additional funding. The tax rate would have risen from $1.1669 to $1.1969 per $100 valuation. The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce backed the proposal, but ultimately, 11,322 voters opposed it compared to 7,573 in favor.

Pflugerville voters reject ACC tax measure

Voters in Pflugerville have decisively rejected a proposal for the Pflugerville ISD to join the Austin Community College (ACC) taxing district, with 63% voting against it. This marks the second time in a decade that the measure has failed, with proponents arguing for affordable higher education amid workforce changes due to artificial intelligence. Kevin Pakenham, spokesperson for Pflugerville Residents for Responsible Taxation, said: “This vote was never against higher education. It was against a permanent new property tax as the way to provide it.” In related elections, Nan McRaven retained her position on the ACC board, while Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia defeated incumbent Dana Walker to represent Place 1. Gonzales-Dholakia aims to strengthen ties between ACC and local school districts and improve student support services. The official election results will be certified on November 12.

Klein ISD earns top financial rating

The Klein ISD Board of Trustees will discuss the district's financial rating and bond project updates during their meeting on Nov. 9. Klein ISD has received an “A” rating from the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), indicating “superior achievement” according to the Texas Education Agency.

GOVERNANCE

New faces on Edgewood and Somerset boards

Newcomers are set to join the boards of Edgewood and Somerset ISDs, according to early voting results. In Edgewood ISD, incumbents are trailing challengers in three of four contested races. Dora Maldonado, a parent and mental health peer specialist, leads with 59% of the vote against incumbent James Hernandez. In Somerset ISD, Albert Herrera and Robert Casias appear to have won their respective trustee races, with Herrera stating he aims to help the district achieve an A rating again and "help the children grow." The elections reflect a desire for change and accountability within these districts, particularly as they navigate challenges like declining enrollment and budget deficits.

Argyle ISD board shakes up leadership

The Argyle ISD school board voted unanimously to reorganize its leadership following the resignations of two members, Matt Slaton and Sam Slaton, within five days. Rich McDowell was appointed as board president, with Leona McDade as vice president and Frank Dixon as secretary.  

New faces join Conroe ISD board

Conroe ISD has elected two new trustees following the recent election. Ryan Tsamouris won position 1 with 50.27% of the vote, defeating Aggie Gambino, who was appointed earlier this year. In position 2, Rob Hammer secured 40.79% of the votes against his challengers. Incumbent Misty Odenweller retained her position with 52.21% of the vote. Odenweller expressed gratitude, stating, "I am deeply grateful to the Conroe ISD community for their vote of confidence and look forward to continuing to serve over 70,000 students and families." Tsamouris, an active parent in the district, has developed a monitoring app to assist parents in navigating district information. All three new trustees are set to be sworn in later this month after the official vote canvassing.

DISTRICTS

New school zone sparks community debate

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees has approved new attendance boundaries for General Marshall Middle School and Linder Elementary, impacting hundreds of students for the 2027-2028 school year. Trustee Kevin Foster emphasized the importance of integrating the Mueller neighborhood with East Austin, stating: “Making this move now – you could say finally – I think is right.” However, community concerns arose as the new boundaries split Mueller in half, with some students assigned to Kealing Middle School instead of the closer Marshall. Additionally, the board discussed improvement plans for low-rated campuses, with the Texas Education Agency identifying several schools needing restructuring. Trustee Candace Hunter highlighted the need for parental involvement, saying: “We could do so much good if we actually let parents be our partners.” The board is also set to vote on a policy regarding artificial intelligence in schools on November 12.

Montgomery ISD tackles enrollment growth

At the November 3 special board meeting, Montgomery ISD reviewed an enrollment report presented by Chief of Staff Justin Marino regarding the district's re-boundary process. Marino emphasized the importance of “maximizing the use of our existing facilities before considering the addition of new schools through a future bond.” The district aims to address overcapacity issues at various school levels, particularly at Oak Hills Junior High and nearby elementary schools. The timeline for the boundary process includes key milestones such as presenting an updated demographic report in November 2026 and surveying the community in January 2027. Recommendations for new boundaries are expected to be presented to the board by fall 2027, with changes set to take effect in August 2028. Throughout this period, the MISD board will keep the public informed about the boundary process.

Tomball ISD gears up for legislative session

Tomball ISD is set to review its priorities for the upcoming 90th Texas legislative session during meetings on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10. TISD Deputy Superintendent Amy Schindewolf will present these legislative priorities at the regular board meeting on Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. The board will also confirm contracts for various construction projects funded by 2025 bond funds, including the Tomball Innovation Center and athletic improvements at local high schools.  

TECHNOLOGY

Google backtracks on plan to block school search access

Google has reversed its decision to deny schools access to its search engine if they opted out of its Gemini artificial intelligence products, following widespread criticism from politicians, educators, and technology experts. The company initially announced that both Google Search and Gemini would be disabled for K-12 student accounts unless administrators explicitly enabled them, with executives suggesting schools rejecting AI would also lose search access. However, following objections from former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Google clarified that schools can independently enable Search without adopting Gemini. The apparent reversal came within hours of the initial announcement, with Google confirming that the services have separate administrative controls. Ann Skeet of Santa Clara University said Google’s apparent reversal reflects a growing recognition that educators, rather than technology companies, should control how technology is used in schools.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Hinojosa's chance to reshape Texas education

Gina Hinojosa, the newly elected governor of Texas, is poised to make significant changes in the state's public higher education system. With the terms of 11 voting regents across major university systems set to expire shortly after she takes office in January, Hinojosa has the opportunity to appoint new members to the boards of the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech, and Texas State University. This shift could alter the conservative direction of these boards. Hinojosa's campaign did not respond to requests for comment, but her victory has sparked discussions about potential changes in university leadership.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghanistan’s education system under growing strain

UNESCO and UNICEF have warned that Afghanistan’s education crisis is worsening, with approximately 53% of primary school-age children outside formal education and more than 2.6m girls barred from schooling beyond sixth grade. Their latest report highlights mounting pressure on the education system as the school-age population has increased from 10.4m in 2019 to 11.5m in 2024, compounded by insufficient investment, recurring emergencies, and the arrival of more than 1m returnees this year. Although public primary school enrollment reached approximately 6.6m in 2025, growth has failed to keep pace with demand, while fewer than half of fourth-grade students demonstrated minimum language proficiency. Higher education enrollment remains significantly below pre-Taliban levels, with 208,000 students in 2026 compared with approximately 430,000 in 2020, as women remain excluded from universities. The UN agencies have called for the restoration of educational rights for girls and women, increased investment in teachers and learning resources, and urgent action to prevent long-term damage to Afghanistan’s development.

Alberta proposes political neutrality rules for universities alongside 2% tuition cap

The Alberta government has introduced legislation requiring post-secondary institutions to remain politically neutral and protect freedom of expression, while limiting tuition increases for Canadian students to 2% during the 2027–28 academic year. Bill 38 would prevent institutions from taking official positions on political, social, or ideological issues, although students, faculty, and administrators would retain the right to express personal opinions. The legislation also proposes minimum standards for student conduct codes, while the government has announced plans to remove parental income from student loan eligibility assessments, making approximately C$118m ($84.54m) in additional loans available within the existing budget. The proposals follow recommendations from a 2025 expert panel on higher education. However, opposition lawmakers and student representatives have criticized the measures for failing to address broader funding pressures, rising living costs, and uncertainty over tuition increases beyond 2027–28.
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