Democratic Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa announced during her victory speech that replacing Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath will be one of her first priorities when she assumes office in January. Morath’s current term expires on January 10, nine days before Hinojosa takes office, opening the door for her to appoint a new leader rather than formally fire Morath.
Why Gina Hinojosa plans to replace Mike Morath
Hinojosa has made it clear that her incoming administration intends to shift the direction of the Texas Education Agency. The Governor-elect told supporters during her Tuesday night victory speech, In case you have not heard, on day one, I will fire Mike Morath.
The promise reflects Hinojosa’s longstanding criticism of how the state oversees its public school system, which serves roughly 5.5 million students. Hinojosa, a former Austin Independent School District board president, argued that public schools have struggled under Morath’s watch.
I don’t have anything against the man personally, but I do believe we need an educator in that position to get us back on track,
Hinojosa told The Texas Standard in October.
Gina Hinojosa delivers the agenda for Public Education Texas: “On Day One, I will fire Mike Morath and we will work tirelessly to repair the damage of the Texas voucher scam – And end an era in which our schools are sold for parts:” pic.twitter.com/v217865395239387608
Who is Mike Morath and what does the TEA do?
Morath has led the Texas Education Agency since January 2016 after being appointed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Before becoming commissioner, Morath served on the Dallas Independent School District’s board of trustees. He has limited classroom teaching experience and didn’t pursue a career as a teacher.
Under Morath’s leadership, the TEA oversees the distribution of state and federal education funding, administers standardized testing, and assigns A-F accountability ratings to public schools and districts. Furthermore, the agency holds the power to step into struggling school districts, which includes substituting managers chosen by the state in place of locally chosen school boards.
What role did the Houston ISD takeover play?
The most prominent example of the TEA’s authority involves the state intervention in Houston ISD, the state’s largest school district. Pointing to several years of subpar academic results, the TEA ousted the district’s superintendent and elected school board in 2023, replacing them with administrators chosen by the state.
Supporters point to improvements in academic performance and school accountability ratings. Critics argue that the state has stripped parents and communities of a say in how their schools are run. Hinojosa has sided with critics of the takeover, pledging to return Houston ISD to local control. I will give the school district back to the people of Houston,
Hinojosa stated during a July interview with the Houston Press.
How does the A-F school accountability system work?
Another major point of contention is the state’s grading system for public schools. Hinojosa criticized the A-F framework for relying too heavily on a flawed standardized test.
Hinojosa committed to suspending the evaluation method, pointing out that the Texas Education Agency designs the framework and subsequently determines the grading criteria after students have already completed the exam. Hinojosa maintains that schools need an objective outside measure of performance.
Who decides the next education commissioner?
Morath’s current term is scheduled to expire on January 10, nine days before Hinojosa takes office on January 19. This timeline allows Hinojosa to appoint a replacement rather than formally fire Morath. Hinojosa’s transition team is already interviewing candidates for the role.
Any nominee put forward by Hinojosa will require confirmation from the Texas Senate, where Republicans retained their majority. Meanwhile, Democrats won control of the Texas House, creating a divided legislature that could shape how education policy unfolds.
