Waco Independent School District’s failing campuses reported mixed results on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exam. The Texas Education Agency released preliminary STAAR data on Tuesday for Grades 3-8. The Waco Bridge took a deep dive into the local campuses that had turnaround plans or struggled with failing accountability, as well as Waco’s performance districtwide view article

Patillo Higgins is not a household name. Neither is Henry O. Flipper or William P. Hobby.  But Texas first graders will have to learn about these Texas historical figures, and dozens more as the state overhauls its social studies standards.  The State Board of Education is expected to take a final vote in June on the state’s revised Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for social studies. The standards dictate what skills and concepts students are expected to learn at each grade leveIn 2025, the board approved a framework that placed greater emphasis on Texas and U.S. history and downplays world history and geography. The standards include biblical figures such as Abraham and Moses alongside figures from American and Texas history such as George Washington and Sam Houston.  Right now, first grade lessons focus on general social studies skills, such as creating timelines and learning how to tell north, south, east and west. view article

Three Austin school district middle schools at the center of the district’s fight to avoid a state takeover posted modest gains on this year’s state exams, but passing rates remained critically low, signaling the campuses could be headed toward a fifth consecutive failing state accountability rating. view article

An Austin private school made national headlines last year for its fully artificial intelligence-powered learning model. Officials with the Alpha School have said the school uses AI to condense a day’s learning into two hours and boasted “personalized learning, done by lunch.”  The Houston Independent School District announced it will launch nine AI-focused schools next year. Superintendent Mike Miles said he envisions 100 HISD campuses with AI-focused programming in the future.  With a vast tech industry and a $500 billion investment in Abilene data centers, the state has become a global leader in AI. Even the Texas Education Agency uses AI to grade standardized tests. TEA began releasing spring scores from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams last week. view article

Two and a half months into his new job, Frisco ISD Superintendent Todd Fouche got a pep rally welcome from an audience of business and civic leaders who stood and shook the gold and white pom-poms at each banquet table. At the second-ever “State of Education” luncheon hosted by the Frisco Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Fouche laid out his vision for the district that includes 77 schools and around 62,000 students.  view article

This year’s STAAR scores show San Antonio students performing a little better than last year. Scores for the 2025-26 school year mark a pivotal point for several San Antonio-area schools who’ve been struggling with academic achievement for years, especially since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic when learning was moved online.   While standardized testing has gone by different names over the years, moved online and undergone big refreshes, the purpose of STAAR is to measure “mastery” of the education standards set by the state of Texas.  view article

Elementary and middle school students attending Texas public schools showed small gains on state math exams but remained relatively flat in reading.  Texas elementary and middle school students mostly stagnated in reading this school year while their performance on math and social studies exams improved, according to STAAR results released Tuesday.  The Texas Education Agency published results from the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, for grades 3–8, which aim to measure whether students learn material in core subjects at levels appropriate for their grade. High school results released last week showed gains in all areas. view article

Elementary and middle school students attending Texas public schools showed small gains on state math exams but remained relatively flat in reading.  Texas elementary and middle school students mostly stagnated in reading this school year while their performance on math and social studies exams improved, according to STAAR results released Tuesday.  The Texas Education Agency published results from the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, for grades 3–8, which aim to measure whether students learn material in core subjects at levels appropriate for their grade. High school results released last week showed gains in all areas. view article

The Austin school district is entering a pivotal stretch that could determine whether the district remains under local control or becomes the next Texas school system taken over by the state. Three middle schools — Burnet, Webb and Dobie — are awaiting accountability results that could trigger a state-mandated intervention and set in motion a process that has already played out in Houston, Fort Worth and other districts across Texas. view article

The Austin school district is entering a pivotal stretch that could determine whether the district remains under local control or becomes the next Texas school system taken over by the state. Three middle schools — Burnet, Webb and Dobie — are awaiting accountability results that could trigger a state-mandated intervention and set in motion a process that has already played out in Houston, Fort Worth and other districts across Texas. view article

The Texas Education Agency today released results from the Spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. The results include assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and U.S. History. The Spring 2026 results reflect continued academic progress for Texas students. Statewide, the percentage of students meeting grade level increased across all EOC subject areas and student groups. Biology, English I and English II continued their upward trajectory, with student performance now surpassing pre-pandemic levels. U.S. History also posted gains, with 70% of students meeting grade level. In Algebra I, 54% of students met grade level, representing a seven-percentage-point increase from last year. view article

With more STAAR results set to be released Tuesday for grades three through eight, education experts are watching closely to see whether the state's recent gains at the high school level carry over to younger students — especially in math. view article

When Houston ISD closed 12 campuses this school year, it marked the district’s largest mass school closure in at least two decades, records show.  In total, the state’s largest school district has closed at least 60 campuses since 2005, including at least 15 HISD-affiliated charter campuses.   Since the 2016-17 school year, HISD’s enrollment has hemorrhaged more than 47,000 students. But the board didn’t vote to close any traditional campuses en masse — until this year. HISD did not respond to a request for comment for this story.   Like HISD, many Texas school districts, including Aldine, Spring and Fort Bend ISDs, approved major school closures this year amid budget challenges and declining enrollment. Texas reported its first statewide student enrollment decline in nearly four decades this school year, outside of the pandemic, according to analysis by Texas 2036. view article

Thank you to Baylee Bates and KCEN for highlighting the academic progress happening across Killeen ISD. Our Spring 2026 EOC results show encouraging gains, including narrowing performance gaps with the state in Algebra I and English language arts and strong achievement in U.S. History, Biology and Algebra I. view article

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD confirmed this week that it is reorganizing special education programs for the next school year due to a shortage of specialized personnel and an enrollment decline. The decision was a data-driven “programmatic realignment” and did not require approval from the school board, Assistant Superintendent Joel Weckerly told the Houston Press in an email. Cy-Fair ISD Board President Julie Hinaman deferred questions about the realignment to Weckerly. view article

Dallas ISD is launching a new Pre-Primer initiative for the 2026–2027 school year, creating a specialized bridge year for young learners who may benefit from additional support before entering first grade. Angie Gaylord, chief academic officer, said Dallas ISD is expanding creative choice by bringing a successful local private school model to public school families. view article

Fort Worth ISD has named new leaders at dozens of its campuses in recent weeks after a string of principals announced their plans to leave their jobs following the uncertainty of the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of the district, with several other principal positions still open. view article

Some students may be recommended to enroll based on their performance, while parents can also opt in if their child meets certain criteria. view article

High school students in Dallas ISD and across Texas posted gains on state standardized tests compared with last year, according to STAAR results released Wednesday. view article

Results for Texas' end-of-year standardized test, STAAR, were released Wednesday, and Houston ISD's high school students saw their biggest boosts in Algebra I and English I, with modest gains in biology and English II. In Algebra I, the district raised its passing rate by five points to 82%, and by eight points in English I to 69%. In biology and English II, students raised their scores three points to 94% and 71%, respectively. Districtwide scores slipped slightly by just one percentage point in U.S. history, though they have remained consistently high for the past four years. view article

AUSTIN, Texas – June 10, 2026 – The Texas Education Agency today released results from the Spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. The results include assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and U.S. History.  The Spring 2026 results reflect continued academic progress for Texas students. Statewide, the percentage of students meeting grade level increased across all EOC subject areas and student groups. Biology, English I and English II continued their upward trajectory, with student performance now surpassing pre-pandemic levels. U.S. History also posted gains, with 70% of students meeting grade level. In Algebra I, 54% of students met grade level, representing a seven-percentage-point increase from last yea view article

Texas’ charters continued growing this school year, but the pace slowed. Experts warn that the enrollment drop facing traditional school districts could also affect charters.  Texas charter schools recently saw their smallest enrollment bump in state history, signaling that similar forces crushing traditional public districts may soon hit them as well.  Students have enrolled in charters at significant rates since they launched in the state three decades ago — even as traditional public school enrollment started to fall. But with birth rates going down, new schooling options popping up and fears regarding immigration enforcement spreading, experts say that growth may soon reverse.“They’re headed to a cliff, for sure,” said Bob Templeton, a senior consultant with an Austin-based public policy firm called STRIVE. He has studied Texas school demographics since the 1990s. “And I don’t know if it’s going to be next year, but it could definitely be within five years.” view article

s a separate school the best way to serve newly-arrived immigrants and refugees? Superintendent says it’s segregation — but supporters call it social belonging. view article

The district says the results show gains across nearly every subject and grade level, including reading growth in every tested grade, strong mathematics performance, and significant improvement on high school End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. view article

The Houston Independent School District (HISD), the largest school system in Texas, has seen dramatic improvements in student grades and test scores across its more than 270 campuses in the years since a state takeover. The sweeping intervention followed years of academic underperformance and drew ongoing accusations of racism and unfairness. view article

In 2023, the Texas Education Agency took over Houston ISD and appointed Mike Miles as superintendent. Since then, the district implemented several controversial reforms in the name of improving student outcomes. The changes include prescribed lesson plans, strict classroom management and frequent assessments. view article

The honor recognizes school districts that have built a culture of character and leadership and model exceptional sportsmanship, integrity, and community involvement across athletics programs. The award is spearheaded by The Texas Way initiative, an intentional, year-long initiative launched in partnership by four major organizations, including the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA), Texas High School Athletic Directors Association (THSADA), and 2Words Character Development. view article

Some Houston ISD students could be taking a different path to first grade next year. The district said it's launching a new Kinder Bridge program aimed at helping struggling readers catch up. HISD said this will be treated as a separate grade level. view article

This fall, "Kinder Bridge" will combine kindergarten and first-grade standards to strengthen academic and social skills. view article

It’s the question shaping every Texas classroom, and the question educators rarely get to answer together: What makes a great school? Join The Texas Tribune on Wednesday, July 1 at The Holdsworth Center in Austin and online when we convene public school teachers, administrators and school leaders from around the state for a day built around that question and the realities shaping Texas schools today.   Recent legislative sessions have rewritten who teaches, what they teach, and how their work is measured. Schools are absorbing roles built for mental health, housing, and family services. Phones are out of classrooms, but technology’s harder questions are just beginning. And the decisions shaping Texas classrooms travel a long chain — one this symposium will help educators understand and shape.  View our panels and times below: view article

Fort Worth ISD families say sweeping restructuring could weaken the tailored support their students — from English learners to college-bound seniors and kids in speech therapy — depend on.  International Newcomer Academy teacher Whitney Peters is worried her students — and English learners across FWISD — won’t receive the support they need if specialized instruction is replaced with a one-size-fits-all approach in traditional classrooms.  Shannon Jones is worried her two sons, who attend Young Men’s Leadership Academy, will see a lack of individualized college guidance if a career readiness specialist position is eliminated.  view article

Fort Worth ISD mother Mary Reynolds is worried about the future of her first grader’s teachers.  Her son attends George C. Clarke Elementary, one of 13 persistently underperforming campuses that FWISD is restructuring for an academic boost. Reynolds’ concerns stem from the school’s inclusion in a reduction in force that the FWISD board of managers approved Tuesday evening. The reduction impacts 25 schools, according to district officials. The vote was 8-0, with manager Jay Stegall absent. view article

After coming to the United States in search of a new home, teacher Larisa Turner found one at Fort Worth ISD’s International Newcomer Academy.  Come June, the school where she has taught for the past 17 years will close.  In two separate decisions early Wednesday morning, the state-appointed board of managers unanimously voted to shutter the campus serving sixth through ninth graders as well as move up the closure of De Zavala Elementary. Seven schools will now close in June.   “The students came to the country for the same reason as I came,” Turner said, explaining the difficulty of adjusting to a new place without support. “We are helping them not only academically to succeed, but to elevate their spirits to introduce them to American culture.” view article

Josh Barro has heard it all.  The screech of 40 recorders. Dozens of third graders strumming ukuleles. The first notes out of a trumpet or clarinet.  And, usually months later, the chatter of success and tears of joy when students make music.  “From the first squeaks to actually being able to play songs, it was rewarding,” Barro said.  Barro, 33, is the band director at Mountain View High School in Meridian, where he has nearly doubled marching band participation since he took over five years ago. His ensembles routinely win competitions, and Barro is gaining recognition.   Last month, the West Ada district named him teacher of the year. National music publication SBO+ recently recognized him as a music teacher who makes a difference.  Barro attributes the program’s success to students’ buy-in and creating a welcoming community.  view article

Northside Independent School District is launching a sports medicine magnet program at Stinson Middle School.  The magnet is starting with an inaugural sixth grade class of about 100 students on Aug. 10 and is designed to give students an early look at sports medicine jobs such as physical therapists and athletic trainers. Hosting the magnet at Stinson was intentional, said Jeannette Rainey, the school’s magnet coordinator. The schools is less than a mile away from the Northside Sports Gym, the Dub Farris Athletic Complex and the NISD Natatorium. view article