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Texas
17th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Texas students see mixed results

According to the latest State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results, Texas elementary and middle school students have shown stagnation in reading while making gains in math and social studies. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said: “We are encouraged by continued gains in mathematics,” highlighting the increase in students succeeding in advanced math courses. Reading scores for third graders dropped to 49%, while seventh graders improved slightly to 54%. In contrast, math scores saw improvements across most grades, with social studies also showing a 2-point increase for eighth graders. The results come after new laws aimed at enhancing classroom instruction, including a ban on cellphones in public schools. The education agency plans to release science results later this year, and Texas is set to phase out STAAR in favor of shorter assessments starting in the 2027-28 academic year.

FINANCE

Budget cuts threaten Texas education

The Austin ISD is facing a significant budget crisis, with a projected $181m shortfall for the upcoming year. Superintendent Matias Segura revealed that the current year's deficit has surged from $19m to $95m, forcing the district to consider painful cuts, including staff reductions and diminished transportation options. The Austin-American Statesman editorial board emphasizes that the root of the problem lies with state lawmakers who have consistently underfunded Texas schools. “Lawmakers need to provide meaningful, long-term funding for public education next session,” the board stated. Despite a recent $8.5bn funding increase, the basic student allotment remains insufficient, leading to a $1,844 per-student funding gap. The editorial concludes that without immediate action, districts like Austin ISD will continue to struggle, jeopardizing the education of over 5.5m Texas students.

Liberty Hill ISD tackles rising health costs

The Liberty Hill ISD board of trustees have approved a budget increase of $267,840 to address rising employee health insurance costs. For the first time, employees enrolled in the Teacher Retirement System health insurance plan will contribute to their premiums, with the district covering an additional $20 per month while employees pay $17. The annual cost for employee health care is currently just under $5.9m, but with the new monthly rate rising by $37 to $521, the district's health care spending will increase by $492,720. If the district were to cover the entire increase, costs would exceed $6.9m in the 2026-27 school year. The board considered three options before deciding on the current plan, as health care costs have surged by $4m over the past five years, according to district documents.

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD budget approved

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD trustees approved a balanced budget of $237.7m for fiscal year 2026-27, which includes salary increases for staff and raises the starting pay for certified teachers to $60,000 per year. The budget was passed with a 5-2 vote, with trustees Darrell Brown and Lindsey Sheguit opposing it. Chief Financial Officer Karla Settle noted that 85.46% of expenditures are allocated for payroll, and inflation is affecting costs for fuel and utilities. However, Brown opposed the budget due to staffing cuts that he believes impact student needs. The projected tax rate remains unchanged at $0.8686 per $100 valuation, with plans to present a tax rate for adoption in August.

Frisco ISD's budget hits $751.9m

Frisco ISD has approved a balanced budget of $751.9m for the 2026-27 school year, marking its second consecutive year without a deficit. The budget, adopted during the June 15 meeting, includes $751.9m in both revenue and spending, featuring a $25.3m child nutrition fund and a $197.6m debt service fund.

DISTRICTS

Parents push back on HISD changes

A group of Houston ISD families is urging the state-appointed board of managers to halt the district's Special Education Success Program, which plans to relocate around 5,000 students to new campuses next school year. Parents express concerns about the lack of transparency and community engagement, warning that the changes could disrupt students' education. The Houston Special Education Parent Association stated: “For students with disabilities, a campus is often much more than a building.” The district claims the overhaul will enhance resource consolidation and support, but parents argue it violates board policy requiring community involvement. Since the announcement, parents have initiated a petition against the changes, gathering over 250 signatures.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

School choice: a double-edged sword

In Fort Worth Maria Contreras is eager to enroll her son Ian in a private school but faces challenges due to his learning difficulties. As states, including Texas, introduce taxpayer-funded scholarships for private education, many families remain unaware of these opportunities. An analysis by The Associated Press reveals that students already in private or home schools are most likely to benefit from these programs. Contreras learned about a $10,000 scholarship at church, but without a documented disability for Ian, she fears he may not qualify for financial assistance. “Sometimes a kid would rather be seen as active than not understanding,” said Principal Kindra Johnston of Saint Rita Catholic School, highlighting the complexities of navigating educational options. As the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program launches, it prioritizes students with disabilities, leaving many families like Contreras's in a difficult position.

GOVERNANCE

New interim superintendent for SAISD

Toni Thompson has been appointed as the interim superintendent of the San Antonio ISD, effective July 1. Previously the district's chief of staff, Thompson replaces Jaimie Aquino, who announced his retirement. SAISD Board President Alicia Sebastian expressed enthusiasm, stating: “We are truly excited to have Tony serve in this capacity.” Thompson's appointment comes at a critical time as the district faces a $46m budget deficit and has recently voted to close two schools while transferring three campuses to the charter operator Third Futures.

New leadership dawns for North East ISD

Anthony Jarrett has officially been appointed as the permanent superintendent of North East ISD, following a unanimous vote by district trustees. Jarrett, who has served as interim superintendent since January, emphasized the importance of his teaching background, stating: "You have to be a teacher first before you can be a leader." He is the first Black man to lead the district in its nearly 80-year history. Jarrett's tenure has included addressing a $19m deficit and navigating a dispute with the Texas Education Agency over cellphone policies. His leadership is expected to bring positive changes to the district.

WORKFORCE

Affordable housing for Hays educators

Hays CISD is set to provide affordable housing for its employees through a new community developed in partnership with Upward Communities. Superintendent Eric Wright emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating: "It's more important than ever for school districts to come up with creative ways to attract and retain the most talented teachers and staff in Texas." The 362-home community will feature various amenities, including a pool, playgrounds, and sports fields, with rent prices below market rates to support educators amid rising living costs. Chief Human Resources Officer Christina Courson noted the need for this initiative, as many teachers are leaving the profession for corporate jobs. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for this summer, with homes expected to be ready by 2027 or 2028.

Teachers shine with $1.8m boost

Harmony Public Schools West Texas District has achieved a remarkable milestone, with 154 teachers receiving Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) designations from the Texas Education Agency for the 2025-26 academic year. This accomplishment has resulted in $1,815,462 in funding for the district, with 40.3% of its teachers earning state designations. The TIA initiative aims to recruit, reward, and retain exceptional educators, offering three distinctions: Recognized, Exemplary, or Master. Individual allotments for teachers range from $4,283 to $22,264 annually.

TECHNOLOGY

Edtech benefits come with concerns

A new EdWeek Research Center survey suggests that educators view educational technology as a double-edged sword, with many seeing academic benefits while expressing concerns about its impact on students’ social-emotional development and mental health. More than half of teachers, principals, and district leaders surveyed said technology use in schools has a positive effect on student engagement, learning, and mastery of content and skills. However, more than half also reported that technology has a negative impact on students’ social-emotional growth, overall well-being, and mental health. Respondents offered differing perspectives on the issue, with some arguing that outcomes depend on how thoughtfully technology is integrated into instruction, while others cited distractions and overreliance on online resources as significant drawbacks. The survey, conducted in February and March, included responses from 79 district leaders, 122 principals, and 395 teachers, and found educators largely divided on whether school-related technology ultimately increases or decreases student learning.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Houston schools shine in global rankings

Several Houston-area schools have been recognized in the 2026-27 Best Global Universities list released by U.S. News and World Report. This list evaluates over 2,200 universities worldwide based on 13 indicators, including global research reputation and international collaboration. Notable Texas institutions include the University of Texas at Austin, which has around 55,000 students, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, training nearly 4,000 health professionals annually. The University of Houston, with about 49,000 students, emphasizes its commitment to "where learning meets opportunity." Overall, 275 American universities made the list, showcasing Texas's strong educational presence.

INTERNATIONAL

Teacher praises U.K.'s bold social media ban

Ben Pickles, a teacher from Bingley, West Yorkshire, supports the U.K.'s new social media ban for under-16s, calling it a "brave and bold step." Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the ban will prevent children from accessing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat starting in early 2027. Pickles, who has seen firsthand the negative effects of social media on students, noted that "most of the students seem on board" with the policy, despite some initial confusion. He emphasized the importance of educating children about the potential harms of excessive screen time, stating: "It's pushing algorithmic content to certain demographics." Pickles believes that the ban will help reduce safeguarding issues in schools, particularly among young girls. He also mentioned that tech companies, like Meta, have expressed concerns about the ban, but he remains optimistic about its potential benefits.
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