Misconduct reports involving educators have more than doubled since last year, TEA data shows

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As students head back to school, data from the Texas Education Agency reveals misconduct reports have more than doubled in the last year.

In 2025, there were 6,456 total misconduct reports; so far in 2026, there are 16,848, according to the TEA.

13 Investigates also found state data from the TEA from December of 2025 to this February shows at least 7 districts in the greater Houston area have reports from the TEA of an educator having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Those include: Alief ISD, Galena Park ISD, Goose Creek ISD, Katy ISD, Klein ISD, Spring ISD, and Splendora ISD.

Of those, four surrendered their teaching licenses, two got a reprimand, and one had their license revoked.

General Counsel for the Houston Federation of Teachers, Chris Tritico, said Senate Bill 571 went into effect last year and changed the reporting and investigations into misconduct reports across the state.

"After September 1st, 2025, they have 48 hours, and they have no discretion; the report has to be made regardless of whether they believe it or not," said General Counsel for the Houston Federation of Teachers, Chris Tritico.

Tritico said that prior to the change, districts had 10 days to conduct their own investigation before notifying the TEA, and he thinks the number could grow this new school year.

"It keeps growing at the rate it is, then it will be close to 100 thousand pending by the end of this school year," said Tritico.