Dispute Resolution Changes Proposed by TEA
TEA is holding public hearings on the proposed rules at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 and 13. More information on the rule proposal and how to provide public comment in the hearings is here. The public comment period ends Feb. 23, 2026. Public comments can be submitted using this link.
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Early Voting Begins Feb. 17
The Texas Secretary of State lists county election websites for voters to easily find more information about early voting and election day polling places and hours and voter identification requirements. Visit your county elections website to also access a sample ballot, which can be printed and filled out to make voting easier at the polls. No cell phones are allowed in the polling place.
Note that if you are voting by mail, you must get a manual postmark at a postal counter to ensure that the postmark is the date you drop off your mail with the post office. Ensure that the postmark on your ballot is on or before election day in order for your ballot to be counted.
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First Round of Interim Charges Released
The Texas House Speaker, Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), has not released interim charges yet. Additionally, the Senate Education committee does not have a chair at this time due to the resignation of former Chairman Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), who is now the chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
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GAO Scrutinizes Education Department RIFs
Although GAO recommends in its report that ED account for and analyze the impacts of its RIFs, ED disagreed, stating that its employees had been returned to duty, making the matter “moot.” GAO recommends that ED analyze its actions for “reasonable assurance” that its actions achieved the goal of efficiency and productivity, which are important to understand should ED decide to take future actions to reduce staff.