Conroe ISD outperformed the state in most subjects for the spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, but scores within the district decreased in many categories compared to 2025, according to results released by the Texas Education Agency.

What you need to know: The TEA released statewide and district-specific test scores for the STAAR scores for grades 3-8 on June 16. End-of-course exam scores were released June 10.

For 2026, CISD scores were higher than the state in all categories for both grades 3-8 in math and reading as well as EOC exam scores, according to the June 16 results. This includes 84% of sixth graders passing math in CISD compared to 73% statewide, and 67% of CISD eighth graders passing social studies, compared to 57% statewide.

What’s changed: Of the 18 grade levels and subjects scores were released for, year-over-year performance in CISD:

• Improved in seven
• Declined in eight
• Saw no change in three

With thousands of new homes and commercial projects planned in Willis ISD’s boundaries, residents at an Aug. 12 town hall said FM 1097 is already overwhelmed. 

“Willis is a case study of unprepared work,” City Manager Sheyi Ipaye said at the town hall. “We are not prepared for this [much] traffic to come in ... and it shows.”

The gist: Residents tied congestion to development in Moran Ranch and the feeder road, which they said will worsen once new homes and subdivisions are fully built out.

What TxDOT is saying: TxDOT Engineer Abraham Guzman said he would ask TxDOT to study retiming and interconnecting traffic signals along FM 1097, though he noted any changes would still take weeks or months to move through TxDOT’s review process. Guzman also said the state is reviewing several options for a future railroad overpass on FM 1097, but that any design is still preliminary and unfunded.

Also of note: Ipaye said Willis has a comprehensive plan, but has historically lacked the funding to build major road projects.

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.