Summer 2026

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What's in this issue

Featured Articles

• Passion & Purpose: TCTA State President Cristal Isaacks strives to make education better for students, staff
• Changes are on the Horizon: From new literary lists and social studies TEKS revisions to a new TEA strategy to provide reading intervention for third graders who failed to meet expectations on the spring 2026 STAAR test, changes are on the horizon in Texas schools. The agency is also implementing revisions to the funding formula for special education, switching to an intensity-based model. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are seeking recommendations from educators ahead of the 2027 legislative session on classroom instruction, teacher support and educational outcomes. We take a look at what’s ahead:
  • SBOE approves literary list, social studies TEKS revisions
  • View the full K-12 Literary List
  • Teacher-driven commission to improve Texas public education
  • Texas switches to intensity-based formula to fund special education
  • PASS grants to give students extra support with reading

In the Classroom

• Tami Bhadai is helping students grow
• Angie Redwine is answering the call
• Richard Embrick is driven by purpose

Executive Director's Message

• You’re making a difference

Legal Notes

• TEA works on rules for parent notification

Planning Ahead

• Set yourself up for success

Washington Watch

• House panel OKs bills to transfer Education Department duties to other federal agencies

News & Notes

• TRS pension study underway; recommendations could include structural changes
• SBEC debates NBCT's inclusion in TIA
• Interim hearings begin, TCTA testifies on cellphone ban in schools
• House Public Education Committee discusses special education, teacher recruitment and retention
• Member Accolades: TCTA congratulates four members who earned recognition in their districts during the 2025-26 school year:
  • Melanie Hoyt was named Elementary Teacher of the Year in Pottsboro ISD. Hoyt is the Curriculum & Instruction director on TCTA’s Board of Directors.
  • Denise Jannise of Anahuac ISD earned National Board Certification. She also received a grant from the Anahuac ISD Education Foundation to expand the school store her entrepreneurship students started, and she was named Teacher of the Year at Anahuac High School. 
  • Dillman Pre-K teacher Leah Spears was named Elementary Teacher of the Year in Muleshoe ISD. 
  • Nurse and CTE adviser Sharon Riegel of Muleshoe High School was named Staff Member of the Year in Muleshoe ISD.

Have news to share with us? Email communications@tcta.org and you could be featured in a future issue of The Classroom Teacher.