Tomball and Magnolia ISD outperformed the statewide average results in multiple categories, according to the spring 2026 Texas Education Agency State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results released on June 16. 

By the numbers: TISD surpassed its previous spring 2025 test scores in fourth-, fifth- and eighth-grade math, as well as in fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade reading. The highest test scores the district earned were 98% in both the Biology and U.S. History End-Of-Course exams.

What else: MISD showed improvements as well, scoring higher than the previous year in fourth- and eighth-grade math, along with fifth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade reading. The district also improved on the Algebra I, Biology, and English I EOCs, while tying 2025 EOC test scores in English II and U.S. History. 

Compared to the overall statewide results, MISD and TISD surpassed Texas in every category except for fifth-grade reading for MISD, where they tied.

Harris County commissioners are expected to discuss the budget and tax rate options for the upcoming fiscal year at an Aug. 17 special meeting, as the county faces a potential $178 million shortfall.

In a nutshell: The county’s Office of Management and Budget will present its proposed budgets and tax rates for the court to discuss and potentially take action on.

Diving in deeper: If commissioners decide to increase the tax rate more than 3.5%, according to the state comptroller website, voters will see the proposed rates on their November ballots. 

Before you go: Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston. 

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week? Check out these trending stories across the northern portion of the Greater Houston area from Aug. 7-14

1. Sam Houston State University announces new name for College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe

2. Bristol Myers Squibb selects Generation Park for new $2.3B manufacturing campus

3. Magnolia traffic detour began Aug. 10 ahead of the school year

4. Studio 3113 Modern Needlework opens store for crafters in The Woodlands

5. Facing $178M shortfall, Harris County approves raises, funding for independent ICE investigation

6. Tim Horton's to open along Barker Cypress Road in August

7. Houston Airport System unveils renovated IAH Executive Club

The Texas Education Agency released public school accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 14.

"We use [A-F ratings] as a way to evaluate our own performance as adults, and then build action plans so that the way that we run our schools next year can be even better than last year," Education Commissioner Mike Morath said during an Aug. 14 news conference.

The overview: Across the state, 85% of campuses received a C rating or higher, which is considered “acceptable" academic performance.

Schools are rated based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps.

Zooming in: At least one district, Austin ISD, is at risk of being taken over by the TEA after two of its middle school campuses received their fifth consecutive failing grades this year. State law requires the agency to shutter those campuses or take control of the district.

Any potential state-mandated closures or takeovers will not happen immediately, as districts with concerns about their ratings have through Sept. 11 to appeal scores to the TEA.