Texas EdTech Review What We're Watching This August

Welcome to the first edition of the Texas EdTech Review newsletter.

There is no shortage of information coming at Texas education leaders. The challenge is figuring out what deserves our attention.

That's what I want this newsletter to help with.

Each edition will bring you a curated look at developments across Texas education, technology, district innovation, funding, research, and opportunities worth knowing — without adding another long read to your inbox.

Here's what I'm watching as we begin the 2026–27 school year.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

Special education funding is changing in Texas.

Texas is moving from an instructional arrangement/setting-based funding model toward service-intensity funding beginning September 1.

$250M​
Approximate increase TEA projects statewide under the new formulas.

WHY IT MATTERS​
This isn't just a finance-office change. Documentation, service delivery, technology systems, and program decisions may all be affected.

THE EDTECH QUESTION​
Are district systems ready to capture the information leaders will need under the new model?

EDTECH ON THE RADAR

There's money available for broadband infrastructure.

TEA is offering up to $5 million through the 2026 Texas State Match Fund for E-rate to help eligible school systems with broadband infrastructure projects.

For qualifying special-construction projects, the combination of federal E-rate support and the Texas match can substantially reduce, or in certain qualifying cases eliminate, the local share of approved special-construction costs.

The question for district leaders: Are technology, finance, and federal programs teams having this conversation together?

ACROSS TEXAS

Interactive online learning continues to expand.

TEA's 2026–2028 Interactive Online Learning Grant is supporting districts and charter schools implementing interactive online learning models in middle and high school U.S. History, Texas History, and English Language Arts.

The grant period runs through April 2028, and TEA has now published the Cycle 3 competitive award information.

What I'll be watching isn't simply which districts received funding.

It's what implementation looks like once the technology reaches classrooms.

That's a conversation we need more of in EdTech: not just What did you buy? but What changed for students and teachers after you bought it?

WORTH KNOWING

Technology Applications TEKS support is coming this month.

TEA has announced additional Technology Applications TEKS Guide 101 sessions for August 2026.

The sessions are intended to help educators navigate the Technology Applications TEKS Guide, including student expectations, vertical alignment, and cross-curricular connections.

As districts begin another school year with AI, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and technology integration increasingly part of everyday instruction, this may be worth sharing with curriculum and instructional technology teams.

ONE THING TO THINK ABOUT

Are we evaluating technology by what it does, or by what it changes?

As districts enter another year of technology adoption, AI implementation, and digital learning, I'm interested in a different question:

Vote below — I'll share what Texas education leaders say in an upcoming edition.

Features matter.

Implementation matters more.

And ultimately, impact should be the conversation.

ON THE RADAR

Texas ALL IN: Every Learner Conference​
November 19–20, 2026 | South Padre Island

Texas ALL IN will bring educators and leaders together across Special Education, Bilingual Education, Gifted & Talented, 504 Services, MTSS/RTI, and Family Engagement around one shared belief:

ALL Means ALL.

Registration is open, and the Call for Proposals is currently accepting submissions.

Until Next Time,

Frances Garcia

Founder & CEO

Texas EdTech Review

Connecting Texas Education & Innovation