ATX-ETA: Impact 6/18/2026

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Austin ISD students outperform state average on 5 of 13 spring 2026 STAAR exams

Austin ISD students topped the state average on five of 13 spring 2026 STAAR exams, according to scores the Texas Education Agency released June 16, while posting mixed results in math, especially in the middle grades.

By the numbers: AISD outpaced the state in reading and language arts across third through fifth grade and in eighth grade math and social studies. Math results were more uneven: AISD matched the state in third and fifth grade, trailed in fourth, sixth and seventh grade, and beat the state in eighth grade.

Seventh grade math saw the steepest year-over-year drop, with the passing rate falling from 37% in 2024-25 to 32% this year. TEA attributes part of that decline to a shrinking pool of test takers, as more students move into Algebra I before high school.

What's next: Science scores for fifth and eighth grade are delayed until July 31. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, only students taking the Algebra I end-of-course exam will skip the seventh grade math STAAR.

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Virginia executive appointed as Austin's economic development chief

Austin has named its next head of economic development initiatives, as city leaders back a renewed push to attract and support more local economic investment.

The details: The city announced the appointment of Michael “Mac” Cummins as Austin Economic Development's next director June 16. Cummins will officially start in that role July 27 and said he's eager to advance Austin's domestic and international economic profile.

The hire comes months after city management outlined a new economic approach led by city management, and follows City Council's adoption of a separate economic development policy this spring.

Austin Economic Development and the city's human resources department declined to confirm Cummins' salary and benefit information, or the cost of the recruitment led by Mosaic Public Partners, as of press time.

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now open

CardVault by Tom Brady now open in downtown Austin

CardVault by Tom Brady’s newest location is now officially open in downtown Austin offering collectable items and cards. The card store hosted its grand opening on May 27, according to an employee.

What they offer: CardVault stocks a variety of cards, including sports, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Formula 1 and Marvel. The store also sells memorabilia, such as signed photos, framed jerseys and posters for baseball, wrestling, basketball and tennis.

One more thing: The brand was founded in 2020 and focuses on buying, selling, trading and grading cards and collectable items.