With under two weeks left in the 89th Texas Legislative Session, public school finance is front and center. After weeks of diligent work, the Texas House and Senate have reached a consensus for House Bill 2 (HB 2), the Legislature’s primary vehicle for education funding reform. The Senate passed the bill and the House is expected to concur, paving the way for this transformative legislation.
This comprehensive omnibus bill weaves together multiple legislative efforts to reshape the state’s public education landscape and strengthen our schools. By incorporating key provisions from various Senate and House bills, the bill tackles many of the state’s most urgent education priorities, including teacher compensation and preparation, early education, career readiness, and special education. Here’s a look at the key components.
Investing in Our Educators
HB 2 prioritizes increasing compensation for experienced and effective educators, offering pay that reflects their impact in the classroom.
The proposed Teacher Retention Allotment, drawn from SB 26, is designed to encourage educators to stay in the profession during high-turnover points in their careers, specifically at the 3- and 5-year marks. Depending on experience and district size, teachers could receive raises ranging from $2,500 to $8,000, helping to reduce vacancies and recruitment costs.
The Teacher Incentive Allotment is a powerful tool to expand investment in educators and strengthen evaluations, supporting better instruction and stronger outcomes for students. HB 2’s proposed expansion will allow up to 50% of teachers in participating districts to benefit from higher salaries.
Additional supports include free Pre-K for teachers’ children and an Enhanced TIA designation that further rewards teacher effectiveness and financially incentivizes placement at high-need campuses.
High Quality Teacher Preparation
HB 2 incorporates smart, future-facing investments in teacher preparation designed to ease the financial burden on aspiring teachers for their in-classroom training and strengthen district partnerships with high-quality preparation programs.
Drawing from SB 2253 and an earlier version of HB 2, the bill proposes the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnerships (PREP Allotment), which invests in preparation partnerships like residency models that offer valuable experience. The bill also supports waivers for certification fees in high-need areas like bilingual and special education. Together, these changes help build a strong, sustainable pipeline of well-prepared educators.
Early Literacy and Math
HB 2 recognizes what decades of research confirm: the early years are critical. Currently, fewer than half of Texas students meet grade-level standards in math and reading by 3rd grade. The bill incorporates meaningful early education support proposed in both HB 123 and SB 2252 to monitor learning in grades K–3, provide targeted interventions, and equip teachers with the specialized knowledge needed to guide early development.
The bill sets up a system for reading and math screening instruments, which allow educators to monitor the growth of students to ensure they are on track for meeting grade level standards. These short instruments ensure school systems have the information they need in real time to provide evidence-based support for students at risk of falling behind.
The bill further strengthens the state’s focus on math instruction. Math Achievement Academies would be required for all K–8 teachers, mirroring the already established literacy academies, along with funding to support these high quality professional development opportunities.
Additional Funding and Support
- A $55 per student increase to the Basic Allotment.
- Investment in Career and Technical Education (HB 120 and SB 1826), including increasing funding for the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH).
- Incorporating findings from the Texas Commission on Special Education Funding (SB 568) to move funding to a model that weighs the intensity of needed support.
As the Legislature adjourns in June, join us for our webinar, From Capitol to Classroom: The 89th Session’s Impact on Texas Schools, where we’ll share what this legislative session means for public education.
