Texas Education Chief Pushes Reading Overhaul in Schools

October 11, 2026 - 13:01

The state's top education official is calling on school leaders to rethink how reading is taught, urging them to adopt methods grounded in cognitive science rather than long-standing classroom habits. Speaking at a statewide conference, the commissioner said the shift is necessary to improve stubbornly flat literacy rates among young students.

He pointed to the science of reading, a body of research on how children actually learn to decode words, as the foundation schools should build on. That approach emphasizes phonics, vocabulary and comprehension strategies backed by evidence rather than guesswork. He also pressed districts to use what he described as high-quality instructional materials, including a state-developed curriculum that has drawn both support and criticism.

The push reflects a broader national reckoning over reading instruction, as several states have passed laws requiring evidence-based methods. Supporters argue that too many students have been left behind by approaches that de-emphasized phonics. Critics worry about mandates that limit local control and teacher flexibility.

For Texas, the stakes are high. Reading scores have remained uneven across districts, with gaps widening for low-income and minority students. The commissioner said the state cannot afford to wait for slow, incremental change and that districts should act now.