Good Reason Houston advocates for high-impact public school funding during legislative testimony

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Good Reason Houston spoke to state legislators Monday to advocate for high-impact public school funding. Trista Bishop-Watt, Good Reason Houston’s director of government relations, testified before the Texas Senate Finance Committee emphasizing the need for strong public school systems to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success.

During her testimony, Bishop-Watt noted that the Texas Workforce Commission projects growth in high-wage, high-demand jobs, most requiring a postsecondary credential. However, Good Reason Houston’s recent analysis found that only 27% of Houston high school graduates attain a credential, and only 1 in 5 earn a living wage within six years. By 2030, over 60% of jobs in the Houston region will require a credential.

“This is a serious challenge to our graduates and Texas employers who rely on a skilled workforce to power our economy,” she said.

Bishop-Watt commended SB 1’s focus on educators, particularly the Teacher Incentive Allotment, which rewards effective teachers and promotes strong evaluations for instructional improvement. She also called for additional funding to expand the Early Education Allotment, emphasizing the critical role of pre-K through 2nd grade in setting students up for long-term success.

“Students who are not on grade level by 3rd grade face substantial educational barriers, making pre-K through 2nd grade a key opportunity window,” she said. “Eligible students who attend pre-K in Houston are twice as likely to be kindergarten ready, laying the foundation for academic success.”

Finally, Bishop-Watt advocated for an increase in the Compensatory Education Allotment to sustain student progress through high-impact tutoring and other learning acceleration strategies targeted at disadvantaged students.

“We support SB 1’s investments in teacher compensation, safety, and leadership development, and we respectfully urge the committee to consider additional appropriations for these critical allotments,” she said after her testimony.