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Texas
30th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Texas schools face unprecedented closures

Since late 2023, at least 135 public schools in Texas have closed or been approved for closure due to budget crises stemming from state funding shortfalls, according to Our Schools Our Democracy. Carrie Griffith, the executive director of the organization, stated: “It’s not specific to urban or rural areas... It’s a statewide trend.” The number of closures has more than doubled from 2024 to 2025, with 50 schools facing closure. The North Texas region has seen the highest number of closures, with 45 schools affected. Griffith noted that declining student attendance, charter school expansions, and the new private school voucher program are contributing factors. Despite a recent $8.5bn funding package, many districts still face deficits, as most of the funds were earmarked for specific items rather than addressing local needs. Kelly Rasti from the Texas Association of School Boards emphasized that the funding did not meet the diverse needs of districts, leading to continued closures.

DISTRICTS

Houston ISD struggles post-state takeover

Houston ISD is grappling with significant challenges following its state takeover in 2023 due to systemic failures, fraud, and corruption. The district has lost over 13,000 students and closed 12 schools, marking the largest mass closure in two decades. HISD's board cited declining enrollment and financial factors for these closures. The U.S. Department of Education has also initiated an investigation into HISD's special education plan, which may violate federal law by segregating students with disabilities. Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said: "Schools cannot exclude students with disabilities simply because of their disability status." Despite these issues, HISD has seen academic improvements under Superintendent Mike Miles, with no campuses receiving an F rating for the first time since state ratings began. Miles has also introduced a new pilot program, Future 2 Artificial Intelligence, aimed at enhancing educational outcomes.

FINANCE

Northeast ISD budget boosts class sizes

Northeast ISD has approved a preliminary balanced budget for the 2026-27 school year, ensuring smaller class sizes despite previous budget cuts. The budget, adopted with a 6-0 vote, projects nearly $377.56m in revenue and expenses, resulting in a $9 surplus. NISD Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Pastusek said: “With the passing of the VATRE and the public support, we were able to actually take [the class size] back down to 22 to 1 [for elementary school].” The budget reflects a decrease in the maintenance and operation tax rate, which will now be $0.6492 per $100 valuation. However, state revenue per student has decreased significantly due to rising property values. The final tax rate will be approved on August 2 after receiving certified property values.

Hutto ISD achieves balanced budget milestone

Hutto ISD trustees approved a balanced operating budget of $134.5m for the 2026-2027 financial year, marking the first such budget in six years. The budget aligns planned expenditures with expected revenues, primarily sourced from local property taxes and state and federal funding. The proposed tax rate remains at $1.2052 per $100 of valuation, which may decrease if property values rise. "The balanced budget passed June 25... is the first in six years," the district noted. A separate meeting will be held later this summer to ratify the tax rate.

Keller ISD budget approved with surplus

Keller ISD (KISD) is set to enter the fiscal year 2026-27 with a 1% raise for staff and a surplus of over $321,000, following the board of trustees' budget approval on June 25. The district anticipates nearly $346.41m in revenue against $346.08m in expenditures, resulting in a surplus of $321,485. KISD chief financial officer Pamela Stranathan noted that the district saved approximately $7.4m from unfilled staffing positions, contributing to a total payroll reduction of about $3.08m for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget also reflects a $6m decrease in general fund expenditures compared to FY 2025-26. Assistant Superintendent John Allison mentioned that the Texas Education Agency could still impact KISD's revenue, stating: “There are still aspects of funding from the last legislative session that TEA doesn't have answers for.” The final revenue calculations will be available in July, with the tax rate to be adopted in August.

EXAMS

Richardson ISD students show progress

Richardson ISD students have shown improvement in most high school and math STAAR end-of-course exams, although many grades still fall short of statewide performance. According to scores released by the Texas Education Agency, RISD students improved on 10 exams since 2025, achieving performance at or above the state level on five of them. While high school students saw better passing rates in biology and English assessments, U.S. History scores remained steady at a 93% passing rate, matching the state average. The Algebra for All initiative has placed most middle school students on an advanced math track, resulting in only 12 seventh graders taking the exam, with just one passing. "The STAAR is administered to students in grades 3-12 each spring to measure student progress and teacher performance," highlighting its significance in educational accountability.

Tomball ISD shines in STAAR results

Tomball ISD has shown impressive results in the spring 2026 STAAR, surpassing or matching most of its previous scores and outperforming the state overall. The district achieved remarkable scores, including 98% in both Biology and U.S. History end-of-course exams. However, seventh-grade math saw a slight decline to 62%, down from 63% in spring 2025.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Plano ISD backs new TIRZ funding

Plano ISD has approved its participation in the new Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) to help fund the construction of a Dallas Stars arena. Deputy Superintendent Johnny Hill explained that TIRZ 6, covering nearly 900 acres along the Dallas North Tollway, will allocate up to $700m for the project. PISD will contribute 50% of its captured appraised value for up to 25 years, without imposing new taxes on residents. PISD board President Lauren Tyra emphasized the potential benefits, stating: “If I have the opportunity to reinvest this money in our community... I think that's a massive win for the district and a massive win for students.” The district anticipates enhanced Career and Technology Education opportunities, increased property values, and future partnerships as a result of this initiative.

Katy ISD plans big changes

Changes are on the horizon for Katy ISD's Complex of Innovation, which includes the Miller Career & Technology Center. At a board meeting on June 22, Katy ISD trustees approved a $102,500 design contract with Stantec Architecture Inc. to develop a site plan for potential renovations and expansions. This initiative responds to the increasing demand for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Lisa Kassman, executive director of the facilities, planning and construction department, said: "The potential upgrades could include new construction if Stantec Architecture Inc. deemed it necessary." The timeline for the site plan submission remains undetermined.

SPORTS

Texas coaches honored nationally

Three members of the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) will be honored at the 2026 National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame Banquet in Coralville, Iowa, today. Drew Sanders, a Hall of Fame inductee, has built a premier football program at Vandegrift High School, winning eight district championships and a state title in 2024. Misty Fletcher-Remmers, also an inductee, led Wimberley to a state championship and has received multiple coaching awards. Brenda Marshall will receive the Kathy Holloway Women of Inspiration Award for her pioneering work in athletic administration.

HIGHER EDUCATION

New federal rule ties college loan eligibility to graduate income

The Trump administration has finalized new federal student loan rules that will require colleges and universities to demonstrate that graduates earn more than comparable workers without those degrees in order to remain eligible for federal lending programs. Under the new Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule, undergraduate programs must show graduates earn more than the typical high school diploma holder, while graduate programs must exceed the earnings of the typical bachelor's degree holder. Programs that fail to meet the earnings benchmark in two of three consecutive years will lose access to the federal Direct Loan program beginning in 2027. Institutions with low-performing programs that continue to miss the threshold for three years could also lose eligibility for broader federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, for those programs. The new rule is the latest step in the Trump administration's broader campaign to increase scrutiny of higher education.

Ivy League's gender gap exposed

Ivy League colleges are promoting fewer women to the rank of professor compared to state schools, according to data from Gender Fair. Despite their combined endowment exceeding $200bn, these elite institutions have a lower percentage of female tenured professors than the national average of 32%. For instance, only 29.6% of full professors at Harvard are women, with Yale and Princeton at 30.3% and 27.5%, respectively. "Personally, I was shocked by the data," said Amy Willard-Cross, chief executive of Gender Fair. She highlighted that community colleges, like the City University of New York, have significantly higher rates of women professors, with 55.6% at Hostos Community College. CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez emphasized the importance of commitment to achieving gender balance, stating, "At CUNY, diversity isn't just a goal; it's our reality." Willard-Cross hopes the ratings will encourage prospective students to demand better from these institutions.

Tenaska awards $16,000 in scholarships

Tenaska Gateway Partners, Ltd. has awarded $16,000 in scholarships to eight graduating seniors in Rusk County, with each student receiving $2,000 through the Tenaska Scholarship Program. This initiative, now in its 25th year, aims to support local students in their pursuit of higher education. "Watching students from this community go on to pursue their education is something we take real pride in," said Gary Skidmore, Plant Manager at Tenaska Gateway. The program has distributed over $252,000 in scholarships to 237 students since its inception.

INTERNATIONAL

China expands AI education

China has unveiled a five-year plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) education across every stage of its school system, reinforcing President Xi Jinping's strategy to strengthen the country's leadership in advanced technologies. Under the new blueprint, AI will become a core competency for students, with schools expected to improve AI literacy and equip learners with the skills to identify and solve problems using the technology. Regional governments have been instructed to implement the policy nationwide. The initiative forms part of Beijing's broader effort to develop domestic technology champions and reduce reliance on foreign technology amid tighter Western export controls. At the same time, policymakers are seeking to balance greater AI adoption with employment stability, particularly as youth unemployment remains elevated. 
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