Texas earned an F in public education. Are state leaders paying any attention?

June 18, 2026 - 17:05

Texas has been handed a failing grade by the Network for Public Education, a national watchdog group that evaluates how well states support their public school systems. The report card gives the Lone Star State an F, citing a pattern of underfunding, aggressive expansion of private school vouchers, and policies that drain resources away from traditional classrooms. The grade raises a blunt question: are state leaders paying any attention to the crisis?

The Network for Public Education's latest report measures states on factors like per-student spending, teacher pay, and the push for privatization. Texas scored near the bottom across the board. Lawmakers in Austin have spent recent sessions debating school choice programs that would funnel taxpayer money to private and religious schools, while per-pupil funding has not kept pace with inflation. Teacher shortages are severe, and many districts are operating on shoestring budgets.

Critics argue that the state's leadership is more focused on political battles than on fixing crumbling school buildings or raising salaries for educators. The governor and some legislators have championed voucher-like programs as a way to give parents options, but opponents say these efforts weaken the public system that serves the vast majority of Texas children. With the next legislative session approaching, the F grade serves as a stark warning. Without a major shift in priorities, the state's schools may continue to fall behind, leaving millions of students without the resources they need to succeed.