Skip to main content

College of Education

News and Features

March 26, 2026

University of Houston Report Shows Over Half of New Texas Teachers Enter Classrooms Uncertified

Texas public school classrooms are at a critical turning point, according to new research from the UH’s Education Research Center. The latest Texas Teacher Workforce report reveals that the share of uncertified teachers has reached a historic high, while student enrollment and teacher employment numbers decline. “The findings of this report reinforce a sense of urgency for all who care about the educational outcomes of our more than 5 million K-12 students in Texas,” said Cathy Horn, dean of the UH College of Education.

Top Stories

January 15, 2026

UH Report Finds Houston ISD Enrollment Decline Accelerated After State Takeover

A new UH report finds that Houston ISD’s enrollment decline has accelerated since the state takeover more than two years ago, while experienced educators are leaving the district at higher rates. According to researchers at the College of Education’s Institute for Education Policy Research and Evaluation, the intervention has coincided with significant shifts in both the district’s student population and teaching workforce. “The overarching takeaway is that the student and teacher populations in Houston ISD are very different than they were before the takeover,” said Toni Templeton, senior research scientist at the institute.

December 18, 2025

‘Everyone’s Journey Looks Different’

The fall 2025 graduates from the UH College of Education have turned their passions into purpose, ready to make their mark in the fields of K-12 and higher education, health and wellness, research and beyond. "The College of Education has helped me feel more confident and prepared for my next chapter," said Chantel Le, a health major graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Read more about the College's top graduates.

November 19, 2025

UH Researchers Map Houston’s Mental Health Deserts for the First Time

For the first time, UH researchers have mapped Houston’s “mental health deserts,” revealing inequities in access to care across the city. The study, published Oct. 15 in Frontiers of Public Health, highlights the uneven distribution of mental health professionals and calls for targeted interventions and policy solutions. “So many neighborhoods had no mental health professionals in their ZIP codes,” said Chakema Carmack, senior author and associate professor of health. “It does follow patterns of other lack-of-access variables out there, such as food access, physical care access, clinic access and insurance coverage.”

Latest News

March 26, 2026

College News Briefs

Check out the latest news about our alumni, students, faculty and staff. We highlight awards, promotions, publications and more. Email coecomm@uh.edu to share your accomplishments and updates with the College of Education communications team.

March 26, 2026

University of Houston Report Shows Over Half of New Texas Teachers Enter Classrooms Uncertified

Texas public school classrooms are at a critical turning point, according to new research from the UH’s Education Research Center. The latest Texas Teacher Workforce report reveals that the share of uncertified teachers has reached a historic high, while student enrollment and teacher employment numbers decline. “The findings of this report reinforce a sense of urgency for all who care about the educational outcomes of our more than 5 million K-12 students in Texas,” said Cathy Horn, dean of the UH College of Education.

January 15, 2026

UH Report Finds Houston ISD Enrollment Decline Accelerated After State Takeover

A new UH report finds that Houston ISD’s enrollment decline has accelerated since the state takeover more than two years ago, while experienced educators are leaving the district at higher rates. According to researchers at the College of Education’s Institute for Education Policy Research and Evaluation, the intervention has coincided with significant shifts in both the district’s student population and teaching workforce. “The overarching takeaway is that the student and teacher populations in Houston ISD are very different than they were before the takeover,” said Toni Templeton, senior research scientist at the institute.

December 18, 2025

‘Everyone’s Journey Looks Different’

The fall 2025 graduates from the UH College of Education have turned their passions into purpose, ready to make their mark in the fields of K-12 and higher education, health and wellness, research and beyond. "The College of Education has helped me feel more confident and prepared for my next chapter," said Chantel Le, a health major graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Read more about the College's top graduates.

November 19, 2025

UH Researchers Map Houston’s Mental Health Deserts for the First Time

For the first time, UH researchers have mapped Houston’s “mental health deserts,” revealing inequities in access to care across the city. The study, published Oct. 15 in Frontiers of Public Health, highlights the uneven distribution of mental health professionals and calls for targeted interventions and policy solutions. “So many neighborhoods had no mental health professionals in their ZIP codes,” said Chakema Carmack, senior author and associate professor of health. “It does follow patterns of other lack-of-access variables out there, such as food access, physical care access, clinic access and insurance coverage.”

October 29, 2025

University of Houston Study Finds Challenging Outdoor Fun Boosts Youth Development

New research from UH reveals certain types of fun, particularly those with outdoor adventure components, may offer greater social and emotional benefits for youth. Bradley H. Smith, professor of School Psychology, explores this idea in a study published in August in the Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. “I don’t think people take fun seriously enough,” Smith said. “It's a basic human need, and we're better off doing it.”

COE in the News

Spring ISD reports early gains at struggling Dekaney High School as state takeover deadline nears

Houston Chronicle (subscription required)

Most Texas voucher applicants may already be outside public school system, data reveals

KTRK – ABC13

Parents and education groups divided over proposed changes to Texas social studies curriculum

KTRK – ABC13

HISD lost 8K students this year. Without a fast-growing online school, it would've lost thousands more

Houston Chronicle

Houston-area school districts ramp up marketing, hire firms to win back students

Houston Chronicle (subscription required)

Harris County Precinct 4, UH partner to create public dashboard of mental health resources

Community Impact

Houston takeover offers lessons — and warnings — for Fort Worth ISD

Fort Worth Report

Top HISD leaders making big six-figure salaries, some earning $30k bonus checks, contracts show

KTRK – ABC13 (starts around 0:42)