Texas has emerged as a focal point for critical studies in 2026, shedding light on the state’s higher education system, water infrastructure, and student performance. These investigations provide a comprehensive view of where Texas stands and where improvements are needed.

The Lone Star State has become a testing ground for innovative approaches to measuring the return on investment (ROI) of higher education. Simultaneously, concerns about water quality in certain communities and student performance on standardized tests have come to the forefront, sparking important conversations about public health and education policy.

Measuring the true value of higher education

A landmark study conducted by the Postsecondary Commission and Mathematica has provided unprecedented insights into the economic outcomes of students attending Texas public institutions. The research, which analyzed data from 935,767 students over a decade, offers a sophisticated methodology for evaluating the real-world impact of higher education.

The study’s innovative approach includes constructing matched-comparison groups for each student, taking into account a wide range of factors such as county of residence, prior earnings, standardized test scores, and demographic information. This comprehensive analysis allows for a more accurate assessment of how different programs and institutions contribute to students’ economic success.

One of the most significant findings is that the college degree generally pays off, with the study’s richer matching methodology providing a more precise estimate of institutional impact. However, the research also reveals important nuances, with certain schools and programs showing negative ROIs and varying returns across different areas of study.

Water quality concerns in Austin’s Colony

In a separate but equally important development, a University of Texas at Austin study has uncovered troubling water quality issues in the Austin’s Colony neighborhood. The research, published in the journal PLOS, found that several water samples exceeded regulatory guidelines for lead, iron, manganese, and other heavy metals.

The study’s findings highlight the challenges faced by residents who rely on a for-profit water provider, Texas Water Utilities. Community members have long expressed concerns about water quality and affordability, with many reporting discolored water and other issues. The research suggests that untreated, discolored water in the neighborhood may pose health risks to residents.

While water samples taken directly from the sources showed no issues, samples collected from individual households revealed elevated levels of heavy metals. The study also found that households with water filtration systems generally had water that met regulatory standards, although these systems can be costly and inaccessible to some residents.

Student performance on STAAR tests

The Texas Education Agency has released the latest results from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests, revealing a mixed picture of student performance. While there have been improvements in math and social studies, reading scores have shown little growth, raising concerns about literacy levels among Texas students.

The results indicate that while math scores have improved from the previous year, they still remain below pre-pandemic levels for most grades. Social studies scores have shown steady improvement since 2026, with eighth graders seeing a notable increase. However, reading levels have stagnated, with third-grade students showing a slight decrease in meeting grade-level expectations.

Education officials have attributed some of the improvements to recent policy changes, such as the statewide ban on cell phones in schools. However, they acknowledge that more work is needed to address the challenges in reading performance and ensure that all students are meeting academic standards.