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Megan Menchaca

@meganmenchaca.bsky.social
12K followers 703 following 237 posts

houston-based k-12 education reporter @texastribune.org • signal: meganmenchaca.20 • send tips/praise: mmenchaca@texastribune.org

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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 01/10/2026
How Mike Morath’s agency helped get an AI tool in Texas public school classrooms
texastribune.org
How Morath’s agency linked Texas schools to Alpha’s AI tool - The Texas Tribune
The State Board of Education raised concerns about Alpha School's AI tool. Then the Texas Education Agency helped pilot it in public school districts.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Texas public schools lost more than 14,200 immigrant students last school year. The actual number could be far higher.
texastribune.org
Texas lost at least 14,200 immigrant students last year
The actual enrollment loss amid increased deportation efforts is much higher as the federal definition that identifies immigrant students is limited, experts said.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Fort Worth ISD's appointed school board drafted a rule requiring the superintendent to seek teacher feedback on scripted lessons and other changes. The superintendent objected. "Right now we’re getting pretty damn good results." via @fortworthreport.bsky.social fortworthreport.org/2026/09/30/m...
fortworthreport.org
Managers draft FWISD goals, superintendent limits. Here’s what they propose
The draft goals and limits will shape how Fort Worth ISD’s Texas-appointed board holds Superintendent Peter Licata accountable.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
San Antonio Express-News @expressnews.com · 01/10/2026
Large urban-area school districts have seen the most students leave. But the effect could be felt more acutely among smaller school districts, where losing a few students can be big financial hit.
bit.ly
Exclusive: Texas schools could lose $227M from voucher exodus, estimate shows
Large urban-area school districts have seen the most students leave. But the effect could be felt more acutely among smaller school districts, where losing a few students can be big financial hit.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Tracy O’Connell Novick @tracynovick.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"The decline reflects a 7% drop in enrollment for the state’s immigrant students, the first since the pandemic. "
texastribune.org
Texas lost at least 14,200 immigrant students last year
The actual enrollment loss amid increased deportation efforts is much higher as the federal definition that identifies immigrant students is limited, experts said.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Texas schools reported losing more than 14,200 immigrant students last year. The true number is likely even higher, experts say. Latest for @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2026/09/30/i...
texastribune.org
Texas lost at least 14,200 immigrant students last year
The actual enrollment loss amid increased deportation efforts is much higher as the federal definition that identifies immigrant students is limited, experts said.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 28/09/2026
Breaking: The Texas Tribune has identified the ICE agent who witnesses say fired through an open van window and killed 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston nearly three months ago.
texastribune.org
ICE agent who shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston identified
The federal government has withheld his identification, even as major state and local law enforcement agencies across the country typically identify officers involved in shootings on the job soon afte...
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Context Corner has formally issued a correction to its story, which went viral for falsely stating Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles had resigned. He has not resigned. He is still the state-appointed superintendent. context-corner.com/news/houston...
context-corner.com
Houston ISD Financial Trouble CORRECTION | ContextCorner
Context Corner Issues Correction in 9/24 story.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 24/09/2026
In Austin, we’re following the potential state takeover of Austin ISD, explaining what’s at stake for students, families and locally elected school leaders. www.texastribune.org/2026/08/25/t...
texastribune.org
Texas public school takeovers: what you need to know
More districts across Texas are at risk of intervention by the state’s education commissioner. Here’s what that means for public schools.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I went to my first TribFest in 2017, just a week after The Daily Texan rejected my application. As a freshman, my big journalism dreams felt impossible at the time. Nine years and many festivals later, it's surreal to be here now as a @texastribune.org reporter. I am so grateful.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Houston ISD cuts staff and campus budgets after student enrollment drops nearly 10,000 (!!!) from last September. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
HISD cuts staff, campus budgets as enrollment falls nearly 10K from last year
HISD expected to lose 4,000 students this school year. Early enrollment data shows the district has lost 10,000 students, triggering campus budget cuts.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Is Houston ISD’s playbook under the state takeover sustainable? The high price tag, coupled with less state funding from students leaving the district, raises questions about whether other districts can afford to replicate it. More via @texastribune.org: www.texastribune.org/2026/09/21/h...
texastribune.org
Houston ISD’s state takeover playbook is costing a fortune
Other Texas districts are mirroring HISD’s costly efforts to boost academics. Superintendent Mike Miles acknowledges tough cuts are necessary to pay for it.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
A decade ago, Nikole Hannah-Jones made a decision about her daughter’s education that she hoped would challenge NYC’s unequal school system. Now 16, her daughter thinks she made the wrong choice. Fascinating article in @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/m...
nytimes.com
In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?
A decade ago, I made a decision about my daughter’s education that I hoped would challenge New York City’s separate and unequal school system. Now 16, she thinks I made the wrong choice.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Jasmine Aguilera @jas-aguilera.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Are you a Texas educator or know one? Come meet me, @meganmenchaca.bsky.social, Jaden Edison and Lexi Churchill at #TribFest26 and tell us what you think is the most important education story in Texas right now 🍎 cc @texastribune.org @propublica.org
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Evaluating his performance when locally elected trustees fall short, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath concludes, “You have no choice but to give us an A.” Read more in @texastribune.org's profile of the second-longest-serving education chief in Texas history: www.texastribune.org/2026/09/16/m...
texastribune.org
Mike Morath “motivated” after 10 years of leading Texas schools
Appointed a decade ago, the Texas education commissioner insists that when he has direct oversight, academic gains follow.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Heading to TribFest? Don't miss @texastribune.org's Educator Meet-Up in downtown Austin on Sept. 26 from noon to 1:30 p.m. I'll be joining several of the Tribune's education reporters to chat with educators about the stories they feel are important in Texas right now.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman will be the keynote speakers at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24-26. www.texastribune.org/2026/09/09/t...
texastribune.org
John Fetterman, Marjorie Taylor Greene will headline TribFest
Two of American politics’ most unique and least predictable voices bookend our three days of live journalism.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Texas education officials have regraded certain reading STAAR exams, leading to improved scores for thousands of students. The new scores will lead to improved A-F district/campus ratings for 11 public school districts. via @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2026/09/04/s...
texastribune.org
11 Texas districts, campuses to see A-F ratings increase
The score changes are part of an annual process to review the accuracy of STAAR results, state officials said.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Texas’ chief financial officer wants to double the state's school voucher program to $2 billion. The program provides families with public funds for private school or home schooling costs as of the 2026-27 school year. www.texastribune.org/2026/09/03/t...
texastribune.org
Texas’ school voucher program would double under $2 billion request
This is the first year for education savings accounts, which allow Texas families to use taxpayer dollars for private and home schooling.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
𝙹*𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙼𝚊𝚐𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎 🍏 @artmyoldfriend.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Slava Ukraini! 🌻🇺🇦 "Sunflowers. Autumn" by Ukrainian artist Yevheniia Bozhko.
"Sunflowers. Autumn" by Ukrainian artist Yevheniia Bozhko.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Texas State Board of Education members have given preliminarily approval to an anti-Islamic rewrite of what high school students learn in social studies. The final decision is expected Friday. via @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2026/08/31/t...
texastribune.org
SBOE OKs anti-Islamic rewrite of Texas social studies
The preliminary votes occurred after hours of debate Monday and Tuesday, with final decisions expected Friday.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
More than a dozen Texas school districts could trigger a potential state takeover in the 2027 A-F ratings. They all must improve student academic performance to ensure their schools do not earn a fifth failing rating. Latest for @texastribune.org: www.texastribune.org/2026/09/01/m...
texastribune.org
At least 14 Texas districts at risk of school takeovers next year
These school districts had a school fail state academic A-F ratings for a fourth consecutive year in 2026.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered all state agencies to pause funding for Flock cameras. The order came as @texastribune.org was preparing an investigation detailing how a state agency has devoted at least $30M to building the state’s Flock network. www.texastribune.org/2026/08/28/t...
texastribune.org
Abbott blocks state agencies from spending money on Flock cameras
The order came as The Texas Tribune was preparing to publish an investigation detailing how a state agency has devoted at least $30 million to building the state’s Flock surveillance network.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Exclusive: Online courses inflated Houston ISD’s ratings. Without them, some schools would have Fs. www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
houstonchronicle.com
Exclusive: HISD touted gains. Ratings leaned on courses Texas deemed ineffective
HISD's school accountability ratings have soared under the state takeover, but exclusive data show college-prep courses masked Ds and Fs at some schools.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The state takeover of Houston ISD should end “relatively soon,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said Friday. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
HISD's state takeover could end 'relatively soon,' Mike Morath says
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said special education is the main issue left for the district to address.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Austin ISD is the *only* district in Texas to trigger a potential state takeover under the 2026 A-F accountability ratings. The district also has the most F-rated campuses of any district in the state. www.statesman.com/projects/202...
statesman.com
Expolore the data: How Austin ISD schools performed on TEA's accountability ratings
Austin ISD had 20 F-rated campuses, making it the district with the most failing schools in the state.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Houston ISD reports four elementary schools earning an F: - Benavidez ES (earned D in 2025) - Foster ES (earned C in 2025) - Highland Heights ES (earned B in 2025) - Mading ES (earned B in 2025) Community Services, an alternative HISD program, also earned an F.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I’m excited to join @texastribune.org as its new K-12 reporter as it invests in coverage of education and the Houston area. If you’re a student, parent, teacher, lawmaker or state employee and have thoughts about K-12 education, I’d love to chat with you. www.texastribune.org/2026/08/12/t...
texastribune.org
The Texas Tribune is investing in coverage of education and Houston
One of the state’s most important topics and one of its most important regions will get more attention.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
After three years, I’ve had my last day at @houstonchronicle.com, I'm beyond excited to be starting as @texastribune.org’s Houston-based K-12 education reporter next week. I’ll be reporting on news affecting millions of Texas students, including state takeovers, #txlege and more.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Nusaiba Mizan @nusaiba.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Texas' largest school district will launch a pilot program in two schools using "personalized" Alpha School learning modules for students who earn high scores on reading and math assessments. Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
HISD will use 'AI-powered education' Alpha platform at 2 elementary schools
Houston ISD will use Alpha School's AI platform at two elementary schools.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
NEW: A Texas Education Agency investigation found Houston ISD violated federal requirements for students with disabilities. The agency has ordered HISD to review IEPs for affected students before it overhauls special education. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
TEA threatens state action if HISD does not amend new special education plans
In a response to a parent complaint, the TEA said HISD cannot "unilaterally" change a student's individualized education program and ordered the district to make systemwide corrections.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles wrote a book titled "By Design: How to Transform School Systems" advising other leaders on how to reform their school districts. The paperback is available on Amazon for $28.99. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
Mike Miles publishes book advising leaders how to reform their school districts
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles has published "By Design: How to Transform School Systems," a 200-page book advising other leaders on how to reform their school districts.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Houston ISD expects to spend: - $8,459 per student at NES schools - $6,265 per student at non-NES schools The board expects to vote on the $2 billion budget on June 25. via @nusaiba.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
5 things to know as HISD delays $2B budget vote for 2026-27
Houston ISD projected a 4,000-student enrollment for the upcoming school year while planning its $2 billion budget.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
HoustonISD high school STAAR takeaways: - YOY improvement in every exam except history - HISD exceeds state passing averages in biology - Some NES schools see double-digit gains in passing rates - HISD English I results see largest YOY gains, but still trail statewide averages
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa vows to end state takeovers of Texas school districts if elected. “It is never the right answer to struggling schools to take power away from parents and communities.” www.statesman.com/news/educati...
statesman.com
Governor candidate Hinojosa vows to end Texas takeovers of school districts
In her bid for the governor's seat, Rep. Gina Hinojosa is advocating against school closures and school district takeovers.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Superintendent Mike Miles has drastically reshaped Houston ISD's classrooms with his comprehensive reform model. Now, that approach is extending far beyond Houston, influencing how struggling schools are run across the state. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
Mike Miles' HISD reforms are spreading through Texas schools. Here's how.
The expansion comes three years after the state installed Miles to lead HISD, the state’s largest school district.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Houston ISD student Geremy Arteaga Cruz was on the verge of a successful asylum claim. Then, in January, he was detained by ICE agents. "I’ve missed a lot of school days, a lot of lessons and tests." www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
An HISD student nearly completed his U.S. asylum process. Then ICE detained him
A Lamar High School student nearing completion of his asylum claim was detained by ICE and has been in custody since January.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
another successful texas journalist meetup !!! can’t believe this is year four of our unofficial caucus at the @edwriters.bsky.social conference.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
From Yates to Heights, 11 Houston ISD schools are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Here's a look at the campuses that have persisted through segregation, school closures and a century of upheaval. www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
houstonchronicle.com
11 HISD schools reflect Houston’s history as they celebrate 100 years
At least 11 HISD schools have persisted through segregation, school closures, and a century of upheaval to celebrate their 100th anniversary this school year.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Texas' new $1 billion school voucher program triggered a surge in special education evaluations at public schools as thousands of new families sought to show their children had disabilities. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
Texas voucher program fuels special education testing surge
Hundreds more private school families across the Houston-area requested special education testing to apply for school vouchers, sending public schools scrambling to complete them before the...
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
In tears, Houston ISD parents pleaded with the district not to proceed with special education changes in the 2026-27 year. Despite a federal investigation, HISD's top leaders defended the plans at Thursday's board meeting. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
HISD leaders defend special education changes despite federal investigation
Despite a federal investigation, HISD leaders defended plans at May's board meeting to move thousands of special education students to different campuses in the 2026-27 school year.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Houston ISD's comment: "Any review will show that all special education updates for the 2026–27 school year focus on increasing access to services in the least restrictive environment, strengthening systems to improve the quality of instruction, and improving student outcomes."
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Breaking: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has opened an investigation into Houston ISD’s special education plans. “The allegations described here are alarming. The Trump Administration will fully investigate this situation.” www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
HISD under federal investigation over plans for special education services
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is opening an investigation into Houston ISD after it overhauled its special education department.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
NEW: The TEA did not find any district-level wrongdoing in an investigation ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott into whether Houston ISD employees at Bellaire High School violated parents’ rights, records show www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
TEA releases findings in Bellaire High School pronoun controversy
The investigation’s closure comes nearly a year after Texas lawmakers banned teachers from using students’ preferred names and pronouns at school if they don’t conform with a student’s sex at...
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
What exactly does Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles do with his time leading the state’s largest district? We published his yearly calendar to give readers more insight into who he meets with & his priorities for the year. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
See HISD Superintendent Mike Miles entire calendar for the 2024-25 school year
Here's a look at Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles' calendar, which shows how he spent his time during the 2024-25 school year.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
A Houston ISD appointed board member questions Superintendent Miles' vision for school autonomy with SB 1882. "I don't see how that's setting us up for success. ... Where does it stop? And have we now then created a monster that a board cannot manage?" www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
'A monster': HISD board member questions Mike Miles' vision for school autonomy
Mike Miles said that HISD schools can apply to leave his New Education System after receiving three consecutive 'A' ratings.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
NEW: Houston ISD's Superintendent wants to convert 100 of the district's NES schools to AI-focused "Future 2" schools by July 2031. The schools will train students for a future where artificial intelligence "will be ubiquitous." www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
HISD's Mike Miles pushes for more AI-focused schools, with goal for 100 by 2031
State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles has said that these "Future 2" schools are meant to train students for a future where artificial intelligence "will be ubiquitous."
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
NEW: Houston ISD quietly closed an alternative disciplinary campus serving about 120 students in late 2025. The district did not announce the closure publicly. It only has done so now after @partainclaire.bsky.social's questions. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
HISD quietly closes alternative disciplinary campus for high school students
The district closed the campus in November, moving all of its students and some staff to its secondary disciplinary alternative campus near Houston's Fifth Ward.
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Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Nusaiba Mizan @nusaiba.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Texas public school teacher pay recently dropped. Here's how much a Texas teacher earned on average. Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
Here's how much a Texas teacher earns on average, according to UH report
The University of Houston found that the average pay of a Texas public school teacher dropped about $5,000 in the last decade to nearly $63,000.
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Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
NEW: Houston ISD is considering expanding Superintendent Mike Miles’ New Education System model to more schools. HISD says today that at least nine school leaders have “voluntarily expressed interest” in opting into the controversial reform model. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
9 more HISD schools may opt into Mike Miles' NES model, district says
Schools in the New Education System have standardized curriculum, higher pay for educators, additional support staff for teachers, and significantly less autonomy compared to other HISD schools.
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