A decade-long mission

Mike Morath set out 10 years ago to make Texas No. 1 in education. His focus: delivering great results for brown and Black kids while ensuring success for everybody.

Mixed results on national tests

Texas fourth graders jumped from 18th to 8th in math nationally. But the state otherwise lingers in the bottom third of the country on test scores.

Unwavering confidence

Morath insists student learning has increased everywhere he's had direct oversight. His confidence has made him Texas' second-longest-serving education chief.

“Everywhere that I have had direct governance oversight for student learning, student learning has increased.”

Limited classroom experience

The former software developer has only six months of part-time classroom experience. Yet he oversees 5.5 million students, 382,000 teachers and 1,200 districts.

Navigating major crises

During his tenure, Morath has managed a global pandemic, Texas' deadliest school shooting, dramatic enrollment declines and seven district takeovers for academic failure.

Reading scores hit historic lows

Texas reading scores dropped to their lowest point in decades in 2024. Eighth grade math outcomes plummeted faster than the national average.

Persistent opportunity gaps

Fewer than half of Black and Hispanic children met grade-level reading expectations this year. They lag more than 20 points behind white students and 30 behind Asian students.

Deflecting responsibility

Morath says his job is to oversee and support schools, but the buck stops with local school boards. When asked to evaluate his performance, he says you have no choice but to give an A.

“You have no choice but to give us an A.”

Some notable achievements

Texas launched a nationally recognized program boosting teacher pay for improved student outcomes. Schools made strides identifying children needing special education services.

A different kind of leader

Many state education chiefs don't do much, says one think tank president. Morath clearly believes Texas kids could be doing dramatically better than they are.

“Mike Morath is cut very differently. He clearly believes that kids in Texas could be doing dramatically better than they are.”

Controversial curriculum choices

A member of a historically Black fraternity, Morath has championed learning materials that include lessons minimizing slavery and racism. He avoids public stances on policies critics say harm marginalized students.

Trust at historic lows

One education consultant with 53 years of experience says trust and confidence in the Texas Education Agency and commissioner is probably the lowest he's ever seen among school leaders.

“The level of trust and confidence in TEA and the commissioner is probably the lowest that I have seen in my 53-year career.”

Results over excuses

Superintendents who work with Morath learn quickly that building rapport is simple. It's all about results and data, not excuses or other issues districts may face.

“It's all about results. It's not about anything else, about excuses or about other issues that the school district may be having.”

Heavy-handed takeovers

Morath strips local leaders of authority when campuses fail for five consecutive years. Critics say he's deferential to educators in commentary but not in action.

“He'll be very deferential to educators in commentary, but not in action.”

Selective data presentation

When Morath touts takeover success, he doesn't cite national evidence showing such interventions typically don't lead to sustainable gains. He says none of that research has actually covered Texas.

Funding disputes

Morath says state funding has significantly increased, citing $16,000 per student. But adjusted for inflation and excluding non-classroom money, funding has increased only 5% in a decade.

One boss to please

Unlike district leaders who face public critique and accountability, Morath only has to satisfy one person: Gov. Greg Abbott, who appointed him and praises his leadership.

“Commissioner Mike Morath puts Texas students first and refuses to accept the status quo.”

Not a political fighter

Morath won't engage in political arguments like fighting anti-immigrant rhetoric or anti-diversity laws. That's not him, he says, though he recently helped establish a mandatory reading list including Bible stories.

Growing power and staff

The Texas Education Agency has grown from roughly 830 to 1,240 full-time employees under Morath. State laws grant him overwhelming authority in teacher compensation, textbook publishing and student testing.

Time running out

Critics say stronger results on national tests need to come soon. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa vows to fire Morath and appoint a career educator if elected in November.

“We need to be seeing some stronger results on NAEP or else start to call the question.”