August 17th, 2026

Texas public schools saw modest improvement in the state’s latest accountability ratings. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports about 85 percent of Texas public school campuses earned a passing grade this year. Nominations are now being accepted statewide for the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Program. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports educators and their schools can receive awards up to $1 million. Nominations can be made at HEBLovesTeachers.com through Sept. 30. Meanwhile child advocates are pushing back against proposed changes to the federal Head Start program.