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Dallas County students make gains and show broad-based progress across STAAR End-of-Course assessments

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Strong growth in Algebra I and Biology highlights progress in courses critical to college and career success

DALLAS, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) assessment results for the 2025-26 school year, offering an important snapshot of how students across Texas are progressing toward key academic milestones tied to postsecondary readiness and long-term economic opportunity.

Dallas County grew the percentage of students meeting grade level standard by 7 points across all EOC assessments, outpacing the state’s growth of 5 percentage points.

Across Dallas County, students demonstrated growth across all five EOC assessments, with 14 of the county’s 15 largest school systems increasing their overall percentage of students meeting grade levels across EOCs. Of those 15 systems, 7 surpassed the growth seen by the state.

“These results reflect years of sustained, intentional work across our school systems,” said Miguel Solis, President of The Commit Partnership. “Across Dallas County, district leaders, campus leaders, and teachers are increasingly aligned around what matters most for student success, particularly in high school.”

“Through stronger collaboration, a shared commitment to ensuring students have access to rigorous, grade-level instruction throughout their academic journey, and clearer pathways to college and career success, districts are creating more coherent experiences that support student achievement,” Solis continued. “The improvements we are seeing on EOCs are the result of this long-term focus on high-quality teaching and learning.”

Growth was particularly strong in Algebra I and Biology. Since 2025, Dallas County students achieved an increase of 9 percentage points in Algebra 1 proficiency and an increase of 12 percentage points in Biology proficiency at the “meets grade level” standard.

The encouraging trends in Algebra I and Biology are especially notable given the role both courses play in preparing students for success after high school. Research demonstrates that students who complete Algebra I in 8th grade are more likely to enroll in and persist in postsecondary education, which is linked to higher lifetime earnings.

Today’s release doesn’t provide the grade level of the Algebra 1 testers; however, many Dallas County districts have implemented policies to increase the number of students accessing the course in middle school so it’s encouraging to see the results trending in this direction. Additionally, Biology provides foundational knowledge for many healthcare and STEM pathways, sectors that remain among the largest and fastest-growing employers in the Dallas region.

Looking ahead, House Bill 8, enacted during the second special session of the 89th Texas Legislature, will expand the tools available to school systems for monitoring student progress throughout the academic year. Although the legislation eliminates the English II EOC assessment beginning in 2027–28, it also authorizes optional beginning- and middle-of-year assessments in the remaining EOC subjects that are aligned to state standards. These assessments can help educators identify and address learning gaps earlier, enabling more timely interventions and better preparation for end-of-year assessments.

The EOC results released this week represent the first installment of a broader picture of student outcomes that will continue to emerge throughout June as STAAR results become available for grades 3–8. The Commit Partnership will continue analyzing the data to better understand where students are making progress, where challenges remain, and what practices may help accelerate long-term student success across Dallas County.

TEA makes statewide assessment data publicly available, and the information is often shared through reports and data files that require time, context, and technical expertise to fully interpret. The Commit Partnership translates that data into accessible insights that can be more easily understood and used to inform decisions that support student success.

Commit’s 2025–26 STAAR Results Data Dashboard turns complex state data into accessible, visual insights that allow educators, policymakers, funders, and community leaders to compare results across places, student groups, subjects, and years. We also provide additional views of the data that are especially relevant to local decision-makers, including county-level trends, regional comparisons, legislative districts, and other groupings that are not always easy to see through state reporting alone.

“Data is most useful when people can understand it and act on it,” Chelsea Jeffery, Chief of Strategy, Insights & Talent at The Commit Partnership. “As a third-party nonprofit, Commit works alongside partners to interpret analysis and mine for insights that help align everyone to what these results mean and how we can scale what works for students.”

Commit’s dashboard reporting initial insights and results of STAAR EOC Results for Dallas County can be found here.

Read more about Commit’s analysis of STAAR EOC Results for Dallas County on its Latest Learnings blog here.

About The Commit Partnership
The Commit Partnership aims to break the cycle of poverty in Dallas County by examining its numerous root causes and working with others to remove systemic barriers to opportunity for all students. Commit Partnership discovers robust data insights and activates them through trusted relationships to innovate systems and unlock public funding in ways that address the root causes creating current student outcomes. Commit Partnership’s true north goal is that, by 2040, at least half of all 25–34-year-old residents in Dallas County, irrespective of race, will earn a living wage.

For more information, connect with Commit Partnership at communications@commitpartnership.org and on social media.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dallas-county-students-make-gains-and-show-broad-based-progress-across-staar-end-of-course-assessments-302797049.html

SOURCE The Commit Partnership

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GEEKOM Launches A5 2027 Edition Mini PC, Built for Productivity That Lasts

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TAIPEI, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GEEKOM, a leading global Mini PC brand, is redefining the productivity Mini PC with the launch of the A5 2027 Edition. Designed for all-day productivity, the new A5 combines dependable performance, long-term reliability and flexible expansion in a compact form.

Powered by the 8-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U, the A5 2027 Edition is built for real-world productivity — from running 30+ browser tabs alongside video meetings and large spreadsheets to Photoshop, 2D design and light 4K editing. With up to 64GB of memory, 7TB of storage and four-display support, it gives professionals, creators and small businesses the flexibility to build a workspace around the way they work.

But productivity also depends on how long a PC can be trusted to perform. The A5 2027 Edition uses brand-new SSDs, a reinforced all-metal internal frame and multi-layer motherboard protection, and undergoes 339 validation checks covering durability, aging, thermals and more. Together with flexible memory and storage upgrades, this quality-from-the-inside-out approach gives GEEKOM the confidence to offer a three-year warranty and engineer its PCs for more than five years of service.

Reliability also means being ready when work does not stop. The A5 2027 Edition‘s IceBlast 3.0 cooling system combines a larger silent fan, copper heat pipe and dedicated copper plate to efficiently move heat away from critical components. Better thermal control reduces throttling and long-term heat stress, enabling stable 24/7 operation for offices, retail systems, digital signage and other always-on environments.

The A5 2027 Edition also brings AI into everyday productivity. It can serve as a personal AI assistant for research, writing, content creation and data analysis, while emerging agentic applications can automate more complex, multi-step workflows. With stable, always-on operation, the A5 2027 Edition can keep these AI workflows running in the background when needed — helping users get more done with less hands-on effort.

The A5 2027 Edition brings GEEKOM‘s vision of all-day productivity to life: built to do more, built to keep running and built to last. Best All-Day Productivity Mini PC. Cool・Silent・Stable.

The GEEKOM A5 2027 Edition is available now through GEEKOM‘s official website and Amazon.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geekom-launches-a5-2027-edition-mini-pc-built-for-productivity-that-lasts-302871263.html

SOURCE GEEKOM

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Real Estate Expert Howard Goldberg Details Coastal Rental and Multifamily Property Ownership in HelloNation

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The article explains how insurance costs, rental rules, maintenance demands, and seasonal changes shape coastal property ownership in South Florida.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should buyers know before purchasing a rental property or multifamily property near the beach in South Florida? That question is answered in a HelloNation article featuring expert insights from Howard Goldberg, Real Estate Expert with RE/MAX Consultants Realty 1. The article explores how coastal ownership affects daily routines, responsibilities, and long-term planning.

The article explains that owning rental property near the beach is not only a financial decision, but also a lifestyle commitment. While the scenery and walkability are appealing, owners often face ongoing planning around guests, vendors, weather, and property logistics. Multifamily property introduces additional complexity by increasing the number of tenants and systems that require attention.

One of the first considerations for coastal owners is insurance costs. The article notes that properties close to the ocean usually require flood coverage, wind protection, and higher deductibles. These expenses can rise sharply at renewal and may impact cash flow if not planned for. When multifamily property is involved, one change in policy affects several units, making financial buffers and consistent oversight even more important.

Rental rules also play a major role. The article emphasizes that South Florida cities often have strict requirements related to rental registration, tax accounts, inspections, and short-term rental regulations. In addition, many condo or homeowners associations add further restrictions, including lease minimums, parking limitations, and guest policies. Ignoring rental rules can result in fines or strained relationships with neighbors, making upfront research essential.

The article highlights how maintenance demands increase near the beach. Salt air corrodes materials, humidity stresses systems, and frequent storms challenge the durability of building exteriors. These factors create higher maintenance demands, which can disrupt weekends, stretch budgets, and complicate vendor scheduling, especially when guests are already occupying the property. With multifamily properties, shared infrastructure such as stairways and plumbing stacks can turn small issues into building-wide concerns.

While property management can reduce some of the daily involvement, it does not eliminate the need for owner participation. The article clarifies that owners must still review budgets, approve decisions, and respond quickly in case of emergencies. In South Florida, unexpected weather events or access issues may require urgent attention, regardless of whether a manager is in place.

The article also explores how personal use of a rental property presents challenges. Owners often want to reserve time for themselves, especially during peak seasons. However, holding dates back may reduce income, and using the property personally changes how it’s maintained and perceived. For multifamily properties, reserving one unit while others are booked may create inconsistencies that need clear policies to manage.

Seasonal changes also affect both income and operations. The article explains that winter often brings high demand but fast turnover, while summer may involve slower bookings and the need for more promotion. Owners should plan for vacancy periods, higher utility use, and variable staffing needs. Backup vendors for cleaning and repairs become important, particularly in larger properties with multiple units.

Before purchasing a rental property in South Florida, buyers are encouraged to weigh their time availability and risk tolerance against the demands of ownership. Understanding insurance costs, rental rules, and maintenance demands helps determine whether the lifestyle will feel rewarding or overwhelming.

Owning Rental or Multifamily Property Near the Beach: Lifestyle Considerations in South Florida features insights from Howard Goldberg, Real Estate Expert of Fort Lauderdale, FL, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/real-estate-expert-howard-goldberg-details-coastal-rental-and-multifamily-property-ownership-in-hellonation-302870359.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-Joon targets U.S. AI power market with 22.9kV SST

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World’s first 22.9kV Solid State Transformer (SST) developed, securing a competitive edge with next-generation technology.Completed local production bases for transformers and breakers in the U.S., cementing its position in the American power equipment market.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, optimizing power supply networks has emerged as a critical global challenge. In the United States, the surge in power demand driven by the proliferation of AI and data centers, coupled with the need to replace aging grid infrastructure, is driving large-scale investment in power infrastructure.

Anticipating these transformative shifts in the power market, Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho has spearheaded proactive investments to meet the demands of the AI and data center era. These investments are now supporting Hyosung Heavy Industries’ efforts to strengthen its position in the U.S. AI and data center power market.

“Driven by the expansion of AI and data centers, power infrastructure has now become a core industry directly linked to national security,” stated Chairman Cho. “Building on Hyosung Heavy Industries’ U.S. manufacturing facilities and technological prowess, we must establish ourselves as an irreplaceable, essential long-term partner in stabilizing the American power grid.”

Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its push into the U.S. AI data center power market by combining next-generation grid technologies with its U.S. manufacturing base and established strengths in power equipment, including ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers.

Pioneering Next-Generation 22.9kV SST Technology

Hyosung Heavy Industries identified the Solid State Transformer (SST) as an indispensable technology for power transmission and distribution in the AI era, initiating preemptive research and development. In 2022, the company successfully developed the world’s first 22.9kV 1.05MVA-class SST capable of direct connection to urban distribution networks. This milestone secured a competitive advantage in next-generation power conversion technology, strengthening the company’s position as it moves to capture emerging market opportunities.

SST is a next-generation power system that utilizes power semiconductors to precisely control voltage and current while maintaining the insulation functions of conventional transformers. It is considered a field with high technological barriers to entry, demanding sophisticated power control capabilities. According to global market research firms, the global SST market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of more than 40%, supported by the modernization of power infrastructure. The large-capacity SST market for data centers handling high voltages of 22.9kV and above is in its nascent stages, with only a limited number of companies worldwide pursuing commercialization and demonstration projects. With the market still in its early stages, Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its efforts to secure an early-mover position based on its advanced technology.

Expanding U.S. Manufacturing and Strategic Partnerships

Hyosung Heavy Industries is continuously expanding its ultra-high-voltage transformer production base. The company has invested a total of USD 300 million in the acquisition and expansion of its ultra-high-voltage transformer manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Once the ongoing expansion is completed, the company will secure one of the largest ultra-high-voltage transformer production capacities in the United States.

Furthermore, Hyosung Heavy Industries has established a joint venture with Quanta Services, a leading North American energy infrastructure solutions company, to locally produce 72.5kV to 800kV ultra-high-voltage circuit breakers in Pennsylvania. Through this strategic move, Hyosung becomes the first Korean power equipment manufacturer to secure local production capabilities for both ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers in the U.S. market.

Quanta has an extensive business presence and customer network across the United States, providing infrastructure solutions for large-scale power demand facilities.

By leveraging Quanta’s industry-leading infrastructure solutions and Hyosung’s world-class technological expertise, the company aims to strengthen its competitive edge. Hyosung Heavy Industries aims to establish itself as a key player in the data center power infrastructure market by integrating its accumulated technological prowess, its robust U.S. local production base, and next-generation power grid technologies such as SST, Energy Storage Systems (ESS), STATCOM, and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems.

Website: https://www.hyosung.com/en/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyosung-chairman-cho-hyun-joon-targets-us-ai-power-market-with-22-9kv-sst-302871204.html

SOURCE HYOSUNG CORPORATION; Hyosung Heavy Industries

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