Education Newsfeed

Texas schools are beginning the first year of a major change in how special education is funded. Under House Bill (HB) 2, passed by the Legislature in 2025, districts have to document the intensity of services each student receives rather than relying primarily on the classroom setting where those services are provided. Special education is one of the most underfunded portions of the school finance system; schools were short $1.8 billion in 2025-2026.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) was slated to meet next week but moved their quarterly meeting from Oct. 21 to Nov. 16, after the midterm elections. It’s no coincidence that highly anticipated reports on the SB 37-mandated General Education Curriculum (GEC) changes and the SB 17 implementation impact study were set to be published and presented during the now-postponed meeting. SB 37 charged the THECB with creating the General Education Advisory Commit

Governor Abbott requested a report detailing a financial audit of four representative Texas school districts, including some big and small names.

A budget serves as a statement of our values: what are we willing to put genuine money behind? TEA's answer: more to TIA and Bluebonnet.

The U.S. Department of Education is rolling out new degree requirements for student loan funding while rolling back Title IX protections.

AI is the defining issue of our culture in 2026, and AFT is taking steps towards accountability and responsibility - but more remains to be done.

Renewed attention on vouchers and public schools as a result of funding shortfalls combined with recent about-faces on policy begs the question: is Greg Abbott in greater danger than expected as he seeks an unprecedented 4th term as Texas Governor?

The State Board of Education's agenda next week will include considerations over social studies material, but the lack of public transparency has led to confusion and unresolved questions.

SB 571 and its long tail of regulatory and accountability changes have caused some confusion about what educator misconduct means and concerns over due process.

A legislature-mandated audit of TEA from the Texas State Auditor's office reveals management bloat and dodgy oversight of charter schools.

A primer on TEA's accountability ratings: their history, why they're used, why they're not the best barometer for a school's performance and what that all means for Austin ISD.

The first annual demographic report on Texas voucher accounts (TEFAs) reveals a complicated portrait of who's actually benefitting from these taxpayer-funded handouts.

This week, we at Texas AFT launched our Open Letter to Our Elected Officials campaign, which will serve as our focus for the 2026 back to school season, November elections, and the 90th legislative session to come in 2027. The Open Letter covers a range of issues including school funding, wages, paperwork, freedom to teach, gun safety, behavioral support, mental health counseling, and more.

July's SBEC meeting focused on several policy decisions from the future of National Board Certification to the rejection of an educator preparation program in the RGV.

Midland ISD is taking aim at recapture and Austin ISD is fighting shake off a potential TEA takeover. While their goals are different, both these challenges signal broader disgruntlement over local control and state intrusion.

The announcement of Abbott's TX Classroom Commission might be an opportunity for educators to have a seat at the table, but many ask whether policymakers will listen.

Texas AFT's response to the creation of the Texas Classroom Commission.

A high-profile virtual school closure has parents, employees, and students scrambling, raising questions about standards and stability.

25 years after No Child Left Behind, some education thinkers are second-guessing testing as an indicator of public school outcomes.

Polling shows growing concern about data center construction in the Lone Star State. Data centers can be a drain on local resources - including school funding.