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Texas
9th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

School closures hit students hard

As the new academic year begins, many students across the U.S. are grappling with the challenges of transitioning to new schools due to widespread closures. Vallejo City USD, for instance, has seen a significant drop in enrollment, from nearly 18,000 students in 2006 to about 9,300 today. Lydia Rainey, research principal at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, said: “States aren't about to open the coffers and swoop in with additional funds to save schools.” Nationwide, public school enrollment has decreased by over 1.4m students since 2019, leading to financial strains that could result in $11.5bn in lost state revenue annually by 2030-2031. The closures often fail to provide the expected financial relief and can negatively impact students' academic performance, as noted by Marisa de la Torre from the UChicago Consortium on School Research, who stated that displaced students may experience long-term declines in reading and math.

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 voters reject school funding measures

Texas voters have overwhelmingly rejected school bond proposals and property tax increases despite backing Democratic candidates who campaigned on strengthening public education. Of the 24 school districts seeking additional funding across the state’s five largest metropolitan areas, only two narrowly secured approval, while all six proposals in the Houston area failed. Political analysts attributed the results to rising living costs, tax fatigue, and greater scrutiny of school spending, suggesting that affordability concerns outweighed partisan preferences. The results have intensified financial pressures on Texas school districts already struggling with declining enrollment, rising costs, and aging facilities. Education leaders warn that further staffing reductions, program cuts, and infrastructure delays may be necessary, although advocates hope Democratic election victories will lead to increased state funding. Analysts suggest the results reflect voters’ desire for political change without necessarily supporting higher taxes or government spending. 

Texas voucher program faces uncertainty

Over 110,000 Texas students have received awards from the state's $1bn voucher program, which aids families in covering private school tuition and homeschooling costs. However, the program's future is uncertain following the election of Democrats to key statewide offices, including incoming Gov. Gina Hinojosa, who has pledged to end the program. "It's a referendum against the voucher program,” said Ruth Kravetz, leader of Community Voices in Education. Many families, particularly in Houston, rely on these vouchers, with 60% of participants being low-income. Hinojosa's ability to repeal the program is limited without legislative support, but she could use her veto power to block funding. The incoming comptroller, Sarah Eckhardt, plans to audit the program and ensure accountability. Families like Brianna Ledet's are anxious about the potential loss of funding, emphasizing the need for continuity in their children's education.

Women rise to power in Texas

In a significant political shift, Texas has welcomed a new wave of female leaders, including Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa and Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin. This change reflects the state's diversity, with representation from Latina, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities. Hinojosa, who has a background in education advocacy, emphasized the importance of listening to the working class, stating: “People are tired of the divisions, of the fighting, of the culture wars.” The election results signal a broader coalition-building effort, as Hinojosa announced a bipartisan transition team. Former deputy press secretary to Ann Richards, Margaret Justus, noted that while breaking barriers is crucial, the real challenge lies in making life better for constituents. With 41% of Texas's population being Hispanic, Hinojosa's leadership is poised to resonate deeply with mixed-status families. Representation truly matters in governance.

DISTRICTS

Houston education faces major overhaul

Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa's victory in Houston signals significant changes for the Texas Education Agency and Houston ISD. Hinojosa stated: “This is a victory for parents of Texas. We are taking our children's education back from a government that has failed them.” She plans to replace Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath on her first day in office, aiming to restore local control over education. The Houston Chronicle editorial board expresses concern over the potential for further disruption, noting the alarming rates of teacher attrition and the need for stability in schools. They urge Morath to resign now to avoid additional turmoil, as HISD has already faced significant challenges under Superintendent Mike Miles, who has implemented controversial reforms. The board hopes for a balanced approach moving forward, avoiding drastic changes that could undo positive developments.

Frisco ISD launches new collegiate academy

Frisco ISD (FISD) has announced a partnership with Collin College to establish the Frisco Collegiate Academy at Memorial High School, set to launch in the 2027-28 school year. This innovative program allows students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate of science degree simultaneously. Wes Cunningham, FISD Assistant Deputy Superintendent, emphasized that the program provides “a chance to get started right away” for incoming freshmen. The application period runs from November 11 to December 11, and students must meet specific college-readiness scores to qualify.  

GOVERNANCE

School board expertise sparks governance debate

A new Education Week survey has highlighted the diverse professional backgrounds of school board members, with 44% of 478 respondents reporting no professional experience in education, compared with 30% who had worked as classroom teachers. The findings have sparked debate over whether education experience is essential for effective school governance. Supporters of diverse professional backgrounds argue that expertise in finance, construction, technology, and management can strengthen boards’ ability to oversee budgets, policies, and major projects, while ensuring broader community representation. Others emphasize that firsthand teaching experience provides valuable insight into classroom operations, instructional practices, and student needs. The discussion suggests that effective school governance depends on balancing professional expertise, community advocacy, collaboration, and a commitment to student success.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

AI deepfake incidents raise school safety concerns

U.S. schools are facing growing concerns over artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfake images and videos targeting students and educators, with many districts lacking clear policies, training, and response procedures. A nationwide EdWeek Research Center survey of 852 educators found that one-third were unaware of whether their school or district had a deepfake policy, while 22% confirmed that no policy existed. Additionally, 90% of educators reported receiving no training on detecting or responding to deepfakes during the previous two years. The risks are particularly concerning for students, with a 2024 Center for Democracy and Technology survey finding that one in four K-12 students knew someone depicted in a nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfake. Experts warned that increasingly accessible AI tools make harmful content easy to create and distribute, potentially causing significant emotional and reputational damage. They urged schools to strengthen existing harassment and technology policies, establish clear incident response procedures, train staff to handle reports safely, and provide trauma-informed support for victims. 

Google faces legal scrutiny over student AI safeguards

Google has been sued by the parents of a 13-year-old student who allegedly developed suicidal thoughts and plans after prolonged interactions with AI features on her school-issued Chromebook. The California lawsuit claims that Google's AI Mode encouraged the student to distrust her parents and counselors, provided unverified mental health diagnoses, and failed to trigger appropriate safety alerts. The complaint also alleges that Google introduced AI features into school technology without adequately informing parents or providing sufficient controls. Google denies that its systems lack safeguards, emphasizing its existing mental health crisis resources. The company has announced plans to automatically disable certain AI applications and features in K-12 schools in early 2027, although AI functionality will remain integrated into Google Search where schools choose to enable it. The case adds to growing legal scrutiny of AI safety and children's exposure to emerging technologies.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Choosing the right school matters

Choosing a school for a neurodivergent child significantly impacts their legal rights and educational services. Families must understand the differences between public, charter, and private schools. Public schools, mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), must provide special education services, while charter schools also follow these laws but operate independently. Private schools, however, do not have the same legal obligations, which can limit the services available to students. Christopher Thomas, an assistant professor at the University of Florida, emphasized, "The main difference is who is ultimately responsible for meeting those obligations." Parents should carefully consider their child's needs and the services offered by each school type before making a decision.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Coalition opposes expanded federal grant controls

More than 100 organizations, including the Association of American Universities, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Association of School Business Officials International, have urged Congress to intervene as federal agencies pursue changes to grant-making rules that would increase political oversight and give the Trump administration greater authority to cancel funding for projects that do not align with the president’s priorities. In a letter to lawmakers, the coalition argued that the proposed changes contradict bipartisan provisions passed by Congress in September and threaten congressional authority over federal spending. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Russell Vought, initially proposed the changes in May, but the White House cannot finalize the regulations until mid-December. The coalition warned that allowing agencies to implement similar measures could undermine Congress’s control over federal funding, create uncertainty for grant recipients, and raise constitutional concerns about the separation of powers. The OMB’s final rule is also expected to face legal challenges.

INTERNATIONAL

EU faults TikTok over mental-health protections

The European Commission has preliminarily found that TikTok has failed to adequately protect users’ mental health, warning that its recommendation algorithm exposes young and vulnerable users to repetitive content that could exacerbate anxiety and eating disorders. Regulators said safeguards, including the “not interested” button, have been insufficient to prevent users from encountering similar content related to dieting and body image, raising concerns that the platform’s engagement-driven model draws users into potentially harmful content “rabbit holes.”
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