Megan Menchaca
@meganmenchaca.bsky.social
senior k-12 education reporter at the houston chronicle • signal: megan.menchaca.20 • tips: megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com
Pinned
Megan Menchaca
@meganmenchaca.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Hi! 👋 I’m Megan Menchaca, and I’m a reporter covering K-12 education for @houstonchronicle.com!
I focus on coverage of Houston ISD, and how district + Texas education policy affects tens of thousands of students in the city.
Get in touch anytime at megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com!
I focus on coverage of Houston ISD, and how district + Texas education policy affects tens of thousands of students in the city.
Get in touch anytime at megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com!
NEW: Houston ISD announces it will no longer be proposing closing schools in the 2026-27 school year.
However, it said some "consolidations" may be considered in future years.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
However, it said some "consolidations" may be considered in future years.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD no longer plans to close schools in 2026-27 school year
Houston ISD said it is no longer planning to proceed with closing schools in the 2026-27 year, although some "consolidations" may be considered in future years.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:28 AM
NEW: Houston ISD announces it will no longer be proposing closing schools in the 2026-27 school year.
However, it said some "consolidations" may be considered in future years.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
However, it said some "consolidations" may be considered in future years.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
In other Texas news, conservatives on the Cy Fair ISD school board lost their majority www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Conservatives lose seats in Cy-Fair ISD's school board election
In Cy-Fair ISD's school board election, a slate of candidates defeated the board's conservative majority.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
In other Texas news, conservatives on the Cy Fair ISD school board lost their majority www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
ICYMI: Houston ISD has sued the Texas AG Ken Paxton after he ordered them to release records of a contract with Los Angeles public relations firm.
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
Houston ISD sues state AG to keep PR firm emails from 13 Investigates
13 Investigates has been formally requesting information about the district's relationship with the agency for months and hasn't gotten any answers, so sending an open records request for emails was o...
abc13.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
ICYMI: Houston ISD has sued the Texas AG Ken Paxton after he ordered them to release records of a contract with Los Angeles public relations firm.
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
"On Nov. 1, ... I will no longer be able to buy meat or fresh vegetables. I will lose the only reliable way I have to eat lunch."
SNAP Shutdown Will Leave Texas Students like Me Hungry
I don’t know when this shutdown will end or when my benefits will be reinstated. But I do know we are worth more than the petty arguments of political powerhouses.
www.texasobserver.org
November 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"On Nov. 1, ... I will no longer be able to buy meat or fresh vegetables. I will lose the only reliable way I have to eat lunch."
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
For my last story for a week, I spoke with the people painting rainbows all over Houston to protest the rainbow crosswalk removal the other week: www.chron.com/culture/arti...
After Greg Abbott took theirs, Houstonians are painting rainbows everywhere
"The more rainbows I can paint, the better."
www.chron.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
For my last story for a week, I spoke with the people painting rainbows all over Houston to protest the rainbow crosswalk removal the other week: www.chron.com/culture/arti...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
houston early voting: 37,246 out of 2,681,462 harris county registered voters have cast ballots as of last night. so....just.....2,644,216 more people need to go vote.
October 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
houston early voting: 37,246 out of 2,681,462 harris county registered voters have cast ballots as of last night. so....just.....2,644,216 more people need to go vote.
Houston ISD's enrollment appears on track to drop by about 6,700 students this school year, records show.
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD enrollment on track to drop by about 6,700 students this school year
Eight parents told the Chronicle that they have pulled at least one of their children out of HISD this year, in part due to dissatisfaction with the changes implemented during the state takeover.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Houston ISD's enrollment appears on track to drop by about 6,700 students this school year, records show.
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
this headline hums with ancient autumnal dread
October 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
this headline hums with ancient autumnal dread
Breaking: Houston ISD says its top high schools can consider partnering with nonprofits or outside groups to gain more autonomy over campus decisions.
The schools would become an “Innovation Partnership School” under Senate Bill 1882. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The schools would become an “Innovation Partnership School” under Senate Bill 1882. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD unveils plan to allow top high schools to be run by outside partners
HISD says certain top-performing high schools can consider partnering with outside groups to gain more autonomy and control over campus decisions under Senate Bill 1882.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Breaking: Houston ISD says its top high schools can consider partnering with nonprofits or outside groups to gain more autonomy over campus decisions.
The schools would become an “Innovation Partnership School” under Senate Bill 1882. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The schools would become an “Innovation Partnership School” under Senate Bill 1882. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Houston ISD publicly touted rising family confidence this fall, but internal survey reveals a stark racial divide in views.
Most Hispanic families surveyed said their schools were improving, but most Black, white and Asian families said the opposite. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Most Hispanic families surveyed said their schools were improving, but most Black, white and Asian families said the opposite. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
What do HISD families think of their schools? Results show sharp racial divide.
Houston ISD survey data obtained by the Chronicle shows racial divide in family satisfaction and that families of color were initially underrepresented.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Houston ISD publicly touted rising family confidence this fall, but internal survey reveals a stark racial divide in views.
Most Hispanic families surveyed said their schools were improving, but most Black, white and Asian families said the opposite. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Most Hispanic families surveyed said their schools were improving, but most Black, white and Asian families said the opposite. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
In Superintendent Mike Miles’ Houston ISD, teachers and students say reading books is a secret plot.
Via @houstonchronicle.com senior columnist Lisa Falkenberg:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Via @houstonchronicle.com senior columnist Lisa Falkenberg:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Falkenberg: Mike Miles takes story books from HISD kindergarteners
First HISD took the libraries. Now teachers say the district’s curriculum leaves no room for storybooks and some are secretly reading to students anyway.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
In Superintendent Mike Miles’ Houston ISD, teachers and students say reading books is a secret plot.
Via @houstonchronicle.com senior columnist Lisa Falkenberg:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Via @houstonchronicle.com senior columnist Lisa Falkenberg:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Houston ISD's Board of Managers will consider terminating a teachers' union president at its meeting Thursday — the second attempt to remove her from the district.
via @nusaiba.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
via @nusaiba.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Houston ISD Board of Managers will consider terminating teacher union leader
Michelle Williams was assigned to home duty in August.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Houston ISD's Board of Managers will consider terminating a teachers' union president at its meeting Thursday — the second attempt to remove her from the district.
via @nusaiba.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
via @nusaiba.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Oliver Elam, 17, moved to Houston as a freshman and felt welcome at Houston ISD's Bellaire High School.
The school has had a robust GSA for years.
But since SB 12, there is no longer any explicit teacher support and attendance has dwindled. via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/u...
The school has had a robust GSA for years.
But since SB 12, there is no longer any explicit teacher support and attendance has dwindled. via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/u...
Texas L.G.B.T.Q. Teenagers and Families Navigate a Public School Clampdown
www.nytimes.com
October 5, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Oliver Elam, 17, moved to Houston as a freshman and felt welcome at Houston ISD's Bellaire High School.
The school has had a robust GSA for years.
But since SB 12, there is no longer any explicit teacher support and attendance has dwindled. via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/u...
The school has had a robust GSA for years.
But since SB 12, there is no longer any explicit teacher support and attendance has dwindled. via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/u...
More than 120 Texas school districts have teachers/staff under investigation for their comments on Charlie Kirk.
Here's which school districts' employees are facing complaints, according to the Texas Education Agency.
via @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Here's which school districts' employees are facing complaints, according to the Texas Education Agency.
via @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
See the districts with teachers under investigation for Charlie Kirk comments
Teachers at 124 school districts are under investigation after more than 350 complaints were filed after the shooting of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
More than 120 Texas school districts have teachers/staff under investigation for their comments on Charlie Kirk.
Here's which school districts' employees are facing complaints, according to the Texas Education Agency.
via @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Here's which school districts' employees are facing complaints, according to the Texas Education Agency.
via @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
NEW: Houston ISD moved the entire student body of Las Americas Newcomer School into Jane Long Academy.
The move comes as enrollment at the school for recent immigrants dropped by more than half this year.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The move comes as enrollment at the school for recent immigrants dropped by more than half this year.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD closes school for immigrants as enrollment plummets
Houston ISD reassigns entire Las Americas student body to adjacent Jane Long Academy.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:39 PM
NEW: Houston ISD moved the entire student body of Las Americas Newcomer School into Jane Long Academy.
The move comes as enrollment at the school for recent immigrants dropped by more than half this year.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The move comes as enrollment at the school for recent immigrants dropped by more than half this year.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Houston ISD cut 160 uncertified teachers and reassigned 232 teachers Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD cuts, reassigns hundreds of teachers, staff members amid enrollment drop
The state's largest school district is undergoing annual staff reductions and reassignments.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Houston ISD cut 160 uncertified teachers and reassigned 232 teachers Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
"Wedged between his mom and dad in a packed Houston courtroom, a 9-year-old boy sighed and closed his eyes." by Houston Chronicle's Claire Partain. Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Hundreds of Houston families face evictions daily. How does that impact kids?
Houston is the most impoverished big city in America. Eviction rates have risen. Rental assistance is drying up. How does this affect the city's students and schools?
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:36 PM
"Wedged between his mom and dad in a packed Houston courtroom, a 9-year-old boy sighed and closed his eyes." by Houston Chronicle's Claire Partain. Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Texas A&M president resigns in fallout over professor's transgender teaching, via @samanthakett.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Texas A&M president resigns in fallout over professor's transgender teaching
Political pressure forces Mark A. Welsh III out of his post as Texas A&M president after viral video surfaces.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Texas A&M president resigns in fallout over professor's transgender teaching, via @samanthakett.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles spent nearly an hour today answering questions from Houston City Council members about academic achievement + more.
Here's a recap of his first public City Hall appearance in more than a year. via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Here's a recap of his first public City Hall appearance in more than a year. via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
City Council questions Superintendent Mike Miles on HISD’s academic achievement
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles promoted the district’s “historic” student achievement results in a presentation to Houston City Council members Wednesday.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles spent nearly an hour today answering questions from Houston City Council members about academic achievement + more.
Here's a recap of his first public City Hall appearance in more than a year. via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Here's a recap of his first public City Hall appearance in more than a year. via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Houston ISD spends $350K to billboards celebrating test scores, school rating increases, via @nusaiba.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD pays $350K for billboards to brag on academic gains
Texas' largest school district is in its third year of a turnaround strategy implemented by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Houston ISD spends $350K to billboards celebrating test scores, school rating increases, via @nusaiba.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
"Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles earned a $173,660 bonus after receiving a score of 91.4 out of 100 from the Board of Managers on his second annual evaluation last week." by @meganmenchaca.bsky.social Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles earns $173K bonus from evaluation
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles earned a $173,660 bonus after receiving a score of 91.4 out of 100 from the school board on his second annual evaluation.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles earned a $173,660 bonus after receiving a score of 91.4 out of 100 from the Board of Managers on his second annual evaluation last week." by @meganmenchaca.bsky.social Gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
NEW: Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles has earned a bonus of more than $173K this year.
He received the bonus after earning a score of 91.4 out of 100 on his annual evaluation.
via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
He received the bonus after earning a score of 91.4 out of 100 on his annual evaluation.
via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles earns $173K bonus from evaluation
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles earned a $173,660 bonus after receiving a score of 91.4 out of 100 from the school board on his second annual evaluation.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:15 AM
NEW: Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles has earned a bonus of more than $173K this year.
He received the bonus after earning a score of 91.4 out of 100 on his annual evaluation.
via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
He received the bonus after earning a score of 91.4 out of 100 on his annual evaluation.
via @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles will be speaking to a Houston City Council committee on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
He'll be discussing "remarkable academic progress for Houston students in just two years."
Public speakers can register here: www.houstontx.gov/council/comm...
He'll be discussing "remarkable academic progress for Houston students in just two years."
Public speakers can register here: www.houstontx.gov/council/comm...
Houston City Council - Committees and Agendas - Economic Development Committee
Sixteen Council Members, along with the Mayor and City Controller, are elected every four years. Council Members are limited to serving two terms of four years each, with each term beginning on Januar...
www.houstontx.gov
September 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles will be speaking to a Houston City Council committee on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
He'll be discussing "remarkable academic progress for Houston students in just two years."
Public speakers can register here: www.houstontx.gov/council/comm...
He'll be discussing "remarkable academic progress for Houston students in just two years."
Public speakers can register here: www.houstontx.gov/council/comm...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Texas A&M's firing of professor is a 'dangerous turning point' for academic freedom, advocates say, via @meganmenchaca.bsky.social and @samanthakett.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Texas A&M professor's firing endangers academic freedom, speech advocates say
Texas A&M University's move to fire a faculty member involved in controversy over a gender identity lesson has sparked major alarm among multiple free speech advocacy organizations.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 13, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Texas A&M's firing of professor is a 'dangerous turning point' for academic freedom, advocates say, via @meganmenchaca.bsky.social and @samanthakett.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Megan Menchaca
Hundreds of Texas A&M University students attended a vigil on campus to mourn Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who died in a shooting. bit.ly/4mWEPgv
September 12, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Hundreds of Texas A&M University students attended a vigil on campus to mourn Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who died in a shooting. bit.ly/4mWEPgv