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Texas
11th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Huffines escalates Austin ISD investigation

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced he will continue his investigation into Austin ISD despite the district's refusal to cooperate. The investigation, initiated after Gov. Greg Abbott's request, aims to assess whether education funding is being allocated to classroom instruction rather than administrative costs. Huffines accused the district of trying to evade scrutiny, stating: "Our review will continue, and a full report will be published with or without your cooperation." Austin ISD has raised concerns about the legality of the investigation and the relevance of the requested records, including library catalogs and student identification policies. With the recent election of Democratic state Senator Sarah Eckhardt, who plans to limit such investigations, the future of the inquiry remains uncertain.

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

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Anthropic adopts enforceable AI safety and data privacy protections for teachers

Anthropic has agreed to introduce contractually enforceable safety and data privacy protections for school districts using its Claude for Teachers platform, strengthening safeguards around artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education. The agreement adopts standards developed through the National Academy for AI Instruction, a five-year, $23m partnership involving the American Federation of Teachers, Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Key provisions restrict the use of student and educator data for AI model training, require ongoing breach notification and mitigation, and establish additional oversight for higher-risk technologies, including biometric data collection, profiling, and tracking. School districts must also implement policies and staff training to ensure human oversight of AI-assisted grading, disciplinary decisions, and student placement. While the agreement builds on similar protections adopted by Microsoft, its scope is limited to Claude for Teachers and does not automatically extend to third-party applications using Anthropic’s models. Teachers’ union representatives welcomed the move but emphasized the need for stronger federal regulation, while negotiations with OpenAI remain ongoing.

FINANCE

Local control over school funding returns

Education experts believe that recent changes in Austin may enable local school districts to regain control over their funding. In the Houston area, several districts sought voter approval for funding through bonds and propositions, but all were rejected. Crosby ISD's $208m bond, intended for new school construction, was among those denied. The district is now considering purchasing 39 acres for future development. "As our community continues to grow, we must remain proactive in evaluating our long-term facility needs and available resources," Crosby ISD stated. University of Houston education expert Duncan Klussmann noted that districts have limited options when voters deny additional funding, relying heavily on local property taxes, state funding, and federal dollars, which are often earmarked for specific programs.

Klein ISD Board approves major bond measures

During its November 9 meeting, the Klein ISD Board of Trustees approved several bond-related measures, including the 2026 Districtwide Safety and Security Enhancements Package No. 2 and the initiation of the district's 2026 roofing project. The board also authorized the potential sale or lease of approximately 5.9 acres of district property. Doug Massey, Klein ISD chief of operations, emphasized the importance of infrastructure upgrades, stating: “Some of the most important work happens behind the scenes.” The board's decisions follow the approval of an $895.35m bond package by voters in May 2022, aimed at enhancing campus safety and core facilities. Additionally, the board reviewed its legislative priorities for the upcoming session, focusing on funding, accountability, compensation, and safety actions. 

Cy-Fair ISD adopts new tax rate

The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees approved a property tax rate of $1.0369 per $100 of home valuation during a meeting on Nov. 9, following a failed 12-cent voter-approval tax rate election on Nov. 3. The new rate is $0.03 lower than the previous year's rate due to a decrease in debt service. Chief financial officer Karen Smith noted that the district has lost $7.1m in state funding due to lower enrollment, leading to a projected shortfall of $88m for fiscal year 2026-27. Board president Julie Hinaman said: “We will spend much time at each board meeting working on budgetary priorities,” as the district seeks solutions to address the deficit. Superintendent Doug Killian mentioned that the Long-Range Planning Committee will explore boundary changes and that the district will advocate for necessary funding during the legislative session.

GOVERNANCE

Blue wave shakes Beaumont elections

Local leaders in Beaumont are reflecting on the recent midterm elections, which saw a significant "blue wave" impact statewide and local races. Ward 2 Council Member Joey Hilliard expressed disappointment in the election outcomes, particularly in the governor's race, stating, "It was blue wave time." He emphasized the need for collaboration among officials regardless of party affiliation to improve the community. School Board President Jeff Wheeler noted that elections provide a voice for residents but will not alter the board's commitment to serving children and families. He stated: "At the end of the day, we all have a shared interest in seeing our children succeed." Ward 1 Council Member Cory Crenshaw remarked on the surprising results, indicating a need for Republicans to reassess their strategies to better connect with voters.   

DISTRICTS

Northwest ISD approves new high school boundaries

Northwest ISD's board of trustees unanimously approved new high school attendance boundaries during a meeting on Nov. 9, ahead of the opening of Davis High School for the 2027-28 school year. The changes, recommended by the District Attendance Boundary Committee, aim to accommodate the district's growth. Some students from Byron Nelson, Eaton, and Northwest High Schools will now attend Davis High. Board member Steve Sprowls emphasized the importance of community input, stating: “When you take that group of people and they come up with a decision, we as a board have to respect that.” The adjustments follow community feedback and discussions with Zonda Demographics. Funding for Davis High comes from a nearly $2bn bond approved in 2023.

Clear Creek ISD delays math curriculum vote

The Clear Creek ISD (CCISD) board of trustees has decided to postpone the vote on the 2026-27 Bluebonnet Learning Math OER until the next meeting for further review. During the November 9 workshop, the board unanimously agreed to delay the approval due to the late publication of the transition plan, which left insufficient time for review. Angela Stallings, CCISD assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said the district did not meet the Texas Education Agency's guidance for adopting the plan before the school year began. Despite missing the deadline, Michael Houston, CCISD's deputy superintendent of academic advancement & innovation, confirmed that the district has not lost state funding yet. The board is set to vote on the plan at its Nov. 16 meeting.

Empowering students through leadership skills

The Leader In Me program, initiated at Falcon Pass Elementary in 2018, has expanded to 22 campuses within Clear Creek ISD, aiming to reach all elementary schools by 2030. This initiative focuses on teaching essential 21st-century leadership and life skills based on Stephen Covey's “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Monica Giuffre, CCISD's executive director of elementary education, emphasized: “We want every child to leave elementary school confident about who they are.” The program is funded by community partners and has an annual membership fee of $9.35 per student. CCISD plans to add two or three campuses each year to ensure comprehensive implementation by 2030.

Conroe ISD pauses book policy review

Conroe ISD is reevaluating a policy that has led to the removal of numerous books from classroom shelves, causing frustration among teachers. The district paused its material review process following backlash over a new state law requiring public review and board approval of library materials. Candace Colson, a second-grade teacher, expressed concern, stating: “Your policy places a huge workload on teachers.” The district's policy mandated that all books be cataloged by December 31, but Superintendent David Vinson announced a pause in the process to address teachers' concerns. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the policy and stated: “We heard your concerns and we are going to make some immediate adjustments.”  

Tomball ISD unveils new courses

Michael Webb, chief academic officer at Tomball ISD, presented a report to the board of trustees detailing 15 new courses for junior high and high school students for the upcoming academic year. The courses include seven for the Tomball Academy of Future Educators and eight for the Tomball Virtual Academy of Cybersecurity. The new offerings aim to enhance students' educational experiences and prepare them for future careers, with a focus on dual credit courses and practical skills in cybersecurity.

WORKFORCE

Irving ISD's bold pay reform

Irving ISD is implementing a pay-for-performance policy for teachers starting in the 2026-27 school year, linking salaries to student performance metrics. This shift aims to replace the traditional tenure-based pay system, which has been criticized for promoting stagnation and not rewarding talent. While the transition has faced challenges, with some teachers experiencing pay cuts and feeling blindsided, the long-term benefits of performance-based pay are evident. Dallas ISD's experience since adopting this model in 2014 shows a significant decrease in teacher turnover, particularly among high-performing educators.  

EXAMS

Midland ISD students ace PSAT scores

Midland ISD students have shown significant improvement in their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) scores, with an average increase of 18 points from 2025. Nearly 80% of students met the reading and writing benchmarks, while 56% achieved the math benchmark. The percentage of students meeting both college readiness benchmarks rose by 10%, increasing from 43% in 2025. “The PSAT gives us more than a measure of student performance,” said Kathleen Cook, the district's director of teaching and learning. To further enhance student preparedness, the district plans to integrate PSAT-level questions into the curriculum and will offer a PSAT 10 intensive course for high-performing sophomores in the spring, aimed at introducing them to the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Plano ISD's big renovation plans

Plano ISD is set to renovate Andrews Elementary School, which will include new flooring, restroom renovations, and fire alarm replacements, as part of the district's 2022 bond program. The project is estimated to cost $2m and is scheduled from May 21, 2027, to August 10, 2027.  

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Thanksgiving fun at Muleshoe schools

Muleshoe ISD is gearing up for Thanksgiving with various activities aimed at fostering community and literacy. Dillman Elementary and Mary DeShazo Elementary schools will host Thanksgiving luncheons, book fairs, and other events to engage families and students.  

HIGHER EDUCATION

U.S. Senate passes bipartisan RISE Act to simplify college disability accommodations

The U.S. Senate has passed the bipartisan Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act, legislation designed to make it easier for students with disabilities to access accommodations when transitioning from K-12 education to college. The bill would allow students who previously received disability-related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to use existing documentation, including individualized education programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans, as proof of disability when requesting accommodations in higher education. This would eliminate the need for additional testing or evaluations, reducing administrative barriers for students seeking continued support. The legislation was introduced by Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), alongside Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH). It now advances to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) has previously introduced equivalent legislation. The House must approve the bill before the end of 2026, or lawmakers will need to restart the legislative process in 2027.

Harris seeks last-minute repeal of career college funding rule

Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) is seeking to pass the PARITY Act before Congress adjourns, aiming to eliminate the federal 90/10 rule governing for-profit colleges and career schools. The regulation requires these institutions to obtain at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than federal education aid, a restriction that does not apply to public or nonprofit colleges. Harris argues that newer federal student aid accountability measures make the rule redundant and is considering attaching the repeal to broader legislation, potentially the annual defense authorization bill. However, the Department of Education estimates that eliminating the requirement would cost approximately $1.5bn over 10 years because of increased federal student lending. Supporters contend that the rule creates unnecessary compliance costs, while veterans’ advocacy groups warn that repeal could weaken protections against poorly performing institutions receiving federal funds. With approximately 20 legislative days remaining and Democrats set to control both chambers in January, Harris faces a limited window to secure passage before the legislation would need to be reintroduced.

INTERNATIONAL

French students blockade dozens of high schools

French students have blockaded dozens of high schools as nationwide demonstrations over education funding, learning conditions, and rising living costs continue to escalate. On November 10, authorities reported that 49 of France’s 3,700 high schools were affected, with thousands of students expected to demonstrate in Paris. The protests, which began in September, have expanded into a broader movement against economic pressures, drawing approximately 575,000 demonstrators nationwide last Thursday, according to government estimates, while unions claimed 1.5m participants. Student and teacher unions have called for intensified action, arguing that government concessions, including additional resources for disadvantaged schools and changes to university admissions, remain insufficient. Meanwhile, labor unions have criticized the government’s proposed 0.6% minimum wage increase above inflation adjustments and announced further strikes for November 17.

China’s education system faces major restructuring as student numbers plunge

China’s kindergarten, primary school, and junior high school enrollment has declined by nearly 17m pupils between 2021 and 2025, reflecting the country’s falling birth rate and shrinking population. The government has announced plans to introduce smaller classes, repurpose underused educational facilities, and improve access to public schools for migrant workers’ children. The demographic decline is also increasing pressure on elderly care services, with China’s population aged 65 and over exceeding 223m. To address these challenges, Beijing plans to expand affordable childcare and elderly care under its five-year plan through 2030, including increasing specialized nursing home capacity and encouraging employer-supported daycare. The government has allocated 14bn yuan ($2.1bn) this year to support more than 100,000 nursing beds and 30,000 childcare places. Officials also outlined plans to expand subsidies, encourage private investment in care services, and develop the country’s growing elderly-focused economy, as demographic pressures threaten long-term consumption, investment, and economic growth.
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