Texas EdTech Review What We're Watching This September

September is here, and Texas schools are officially back in motion.

As the 2026–27 school year gets underway, some of the biggest conversations in education are moving from planning to implementation.

Accountability results are out. Districts are navigating new expectations. Artificial intelligence continues to move into classrooms and operations. And across Texas, education leaders are making decisions about where technology adds value and where it may be getting in the way.

This month, I’m looking beyond the announcements to something more important: What happens next?

Here’s what I’m watching this September.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

The ratings are out. Now what?

TEA released the 2026 A–F accountability ratings in August, giving Texas districts and campuses a new look at performance across the state.

24% of Texas districts and campuses improved their overall rating from 2025 to 2026.

WHY IT MATTERS​
The rating is only the starting point. For district and campus leaders, the bigger question is what the data reveals about where improvement is happening, where gaps remain, and what needs to change next.

For some campuses, the stakes are even higher. Campuses receiving a second consecutive unacceptable rating must develop and implement a board-approved turnaround plan.

THE EDTECH QUESTION​
Do district leaders have the right data, systems, and tools to move from identifying a problem to understanding why it's happening and what to do about it?

EDTECH ON THE RADAR

Texas is expanding cybersecurity support for K–12 schools.

Beginning September 1, a new software deployment solution becomes available through TEA's K–12 Cybersecurity Initiative to help school systems deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents and other software.

The expansion is part of an additional $42 million approved for FY26–27 to continue the state's K–12 cybersecurity initiative. Other no-cost supports available to Texas school systems include cloud email security, security awareness training and phishing simulations, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace hardening guidance, and cybersecurity technical assistance.

The question for district leaders: Are we treating cybersecurity as an IT responsibility, or as an organization-wide responsibility for protecting student, staff, and district data?

ACROSS TEXAS

Texas Intervention Academies begin their pilot year.

The new Texas Intervention Academies are underway for the 2026–27 school year, providing professional learning designed to strengthen academic intervention within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

The academies include separate tracks for district and campus administrators, Tier 1 educators, and educators supporting Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions, with reading and mathematics included in the instructional tracks.

Participants will focus on practical intervention strategies, using data to make instructional decisions, and building systems that can sustain intervention over time.

What makes this worth watching: The emphasis isn't only on individual intervention strategies. It's also on building greater alignment between leadership, Tier 1 instruction, and targeted intervention.

The pilot is available statewide and is provided at no cost to participants during the pilot year, with a limited number of seats.

WORTH KNOWING

Texas is opening a new pathway for virtual and hybrid campuses.

Texas school systems interested in operating a virtual or hybrid campus under TEA's standard authorization process are entering the planning cycle for the 2027–28 school year.

The process includes a planning and pilot period during 2026–27, with the application scheduled to open September 25, 2026 and a Notice of Intent due December 7, 2026.

TEA is also introducing Digital Teaching micro-credentials designed to build educator capacity for virtual and hybrid instruction.

What makes this worth knowing is the emphasis on preparation. Virtual learning is not simply about putting instruction online. It requires intentional planning around teaching, student support, technology, and implementation.

For district leaders: If virtual or hybrid learning is part of your long-term strategy, now is the time to understand what the new authorization process requires.

ONE THING TO THINK ABOUT

Does a strong EdTech strategy sometimes mean using less technology?

Texas schools are expanding their use of AI, digital learning, cybersecurity tools, and other technologies. At the same time, schools are becoming more intentional about when personal devices belong in the learning environment.

Those ideas don't have to contradict each other.

The goal shouldn't be more technology. The goal should be the right technology, used for the right purpose, at the right time.

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

ON THE RADAR

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

Texas ALL IN is bringing 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 now open, keynote speakers are being announced, and the Call for Proposals is open through September 11.

Early Bird registration is available through September 30, with discounted registration also available for district and organization teams of five or more.

Until Next Time,

Frances Garcia

Founder & CEO

Texas EdTech Review

Connecting Texas Education & Innovation