HOUSTON, TEXAS — The Houston Independent School District (HISD) board unanimously approved the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum and a revised plan for non-profit operation of top-performing schools on June 25, 2026. This approval followed prior board action in March 2026 and subsequent feedback from the Texas Education Agency.

Seven board members voted on both measures. The Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, developed by the Texas Education Agency, includes reading and math instruction. Houston ISD officials stated their decision to adopt Bluebonnet Learning was partly due to an additional $3.3 million annually the district would receive.

The Texas Education Agency reported that religious references within the Bluebonnet Learning lessons constitute a fraction of the overall product. The plan for non-profits to operate top-performing schools had received initial approval from the HISD board in March 2026. However, the Texas Education Agency later identified missing details in that initial plan.

The agency specified that the missing details included analyses of how the campuses would benefit and the extent of the operator's independence in employment decisions. Across the state, 95 schools currently operate under this type of partnership, according to the Texas Education Agency. Houston ISD stated that approved schools typically receive an additional $700-$1,500 in state funding per student annually.

Why It Matters

The Houston ISD board's unanimous vote implements a new curriculum and finalizes a plan to engage non-profits in the operation of top-performing schools. These actions align with the district's financial considerations, as the curriculum adoption is linked to an annual gain of $3.3 million for the district, and the non-profit school model provides an additional $700-$1,500 in state funding per student each year.

The revised plan for non-profit school operation addresses concerns raised by the Texas Education Agency regarding missing details in a prior proposal. This indicates an adherence to state guidelines for such partnerships, which are already in place in 95 other schools across Texas.