The Texas Senate acted quickly this legislative session, taking only 22 days to introduce, discuss, and pass a significant school voucher bill known as Senate Bill 2. This legislation would enable families to utilize taxpayer funds for their children’s private school tuition. Currently, the bill is pending a vote in the House, where similar proposals have previously stalled. Despite the Senate’s prompt actions toward school vouchers, many officials and education advocates are highlighting the urgent need for increased investment in public schools— institutions that are constitutionally required to receive funding and serve around 5.5 million students.
Public schools face several pressing issues as they enter the 2025 legislative session, including falling enrollment rates, budget shortfalls, program cuts, high student absenteeism, a shortage of qualified teachers, and even school closures. Here are some of the key priorities legislators are focusing on:
**Teacher Compensation and School Funding**
Governor Greg Abbott identified teacher pay as an urgent priority in his recent State of the State address, enabling legislative proposals aimed at addressing this issue to be fast-tracked before the session concludes on June 2. While details on how to implement pay increases for teachers remain unclear, Abbott has expressed the goal of elevating the average teacher salary in Texas to unprecedented levels, with aspirations for more educators to achieve six-figure incomes. Currently, the average salary for teachers in Texas stands at $60,716, placing the state 30th in the nation according to the National Education Association.
Abbott is advocating for an expansion of the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, which allows districts to provide bonuses based on classroom performance and student progress. The Senate’s recent budget proposal allocates $750 million towards enhancements in this program, with over 25,000 teachers from nearly 500 districts participating last year. The governor has also committed to broader funding increases for public education. Last session saw a missed opportunity for a $7 billion funding boost after a school voucher program was not passed, with Abbott indicating he wouldn’t approve public education funding raises unless vouchers were also authorized.
Both legislative chambers are proposing to distribute at least $4.85 billion in new funding for public schools this session, with the Senate directing the majority of this to increase teacher salaries and bolster the Teacher Incentive Allotment. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick outlined plans to increase teacher pay by $4,000; furthermore, those teaching in rural areas could see an additional $6,000 raise, translating to a total of $10,000. Patrick emphasized that such raises would help mitigate the salary disparities between urban and rural educators. However, teacher advocacy groups argue that the proposed funding falls short, particularly since Texas teachers’ compensation now trails the national average by over $9,000.
The House has shown interest in boosting teacher wages but has not yet provided specific proposals. Lawmakers have also brought forth bills aimed at increasing the foundational funding for school districts per student, which has remained stagnant at $6,160 since 2019. Heightening that figure could empower districts to elevate teacher and support staff salaries and address inflationary impacts. For instance, one proposed bill aims to raise the per-student funding by $1,000 and adjust it annually based on inflation metrics.
**Teacher Preparation**
Legislators have yet to implement several recommendations from a 2023 task force focused on teacher vacancy issues, which pinpointed causes and potential solutions for the state’s growing teacher shortage. There’s a hope among public education advocates that more action will be taken this year, particularly given the rising reliance on educators without formal training. Data indicates that more than 50% of newly hired teachers last year were not certified, as reported by the Texas Education Agency. A Texas Tech University study recently found that students may lose up to four months of education when assigned to an uncertified teacher lacking public school experience.
The percentage of teachers leaving the profession has risen sharply since the pandemic, with approximately 13% resigning in the 2022-2023 school year—a marked increase from persistent figures around 10% over the past 15 years. A survey by the task force revealed that educators primarily leave due to unmanageable workloads, alongside issues with morale, student discipline, and inadequate mental health support.
Lisa Meysembourg, superintendent of Woodville schools, remarked on the declining regard for the teaching profession, asserting that restoring respect is vital for attracting new talent. The task force urges lawmakers to enhance teacher salaries by increasing district funding per pupil and the minimum salary for teachers based on experience. Recommendations also include implementing more training and support initiatives, including funding for teacher residency programs that offer aspiring educators classroom experience and guidance from experienced professionals while covering educational costs.
**Special Education Funding**
Lawmakers from both parties continue their efforts to reform the state’s special education funding system. Currently, funding allocations are based on the time a student spends in specific settings rather than their unique service requirements. For instance, two students with differing needs placed in the same class receive identical funding under the existing model.
Recent special education task forces have suggested shifting to a more equitable funding structure that reflects the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Federal mandates stipulate that these students must receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), which should cater to their individual educational requirements. Advocacy groups assert that the existing funding model does not effectively support school districts in delivering appropriate education for children with disabilities.
Senator Paul Bettencourt has introduced a bill this session aimed at revamping the funding methodology and increasing overall spending for special education. This follows an unsuccessful attempt last session to integrate such measures in broader educational reforms linked to school vouchers. House Speaker Dustin Burrows has communicated that there is a concerted effort among lawmakers to enhance special education funding to ensure appropriate resources are allocated for diverse student needs.
**Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)**
Governor Abbott has recently suggested that state lawmakers extend the ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives—currently applicable only to public universities—to K-12 public schools as well. He emphasized during his address that schools should focus on education rather than indoctrination. Since the implementation of the DEI law, universities have dismantled DEI offices aimed at supporting underrepresented students, including Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
While there is currently no proposed legislation to broaden this DEI ban to public education, the implications remain undefined, especially as public schools routinely celebrate significant cultural observances and hold initiatives that support their diverse student body. Concurrently, there are ongoing efforts to limit discussions surrounding America’s historical narratives about slavery and racism, alongside Rep. Steve Toth’s proposed bill to prohibit instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, reinforcing the state’s binary gender recognition established by Abbott.
**Career Training Initiatives**
Abbott also called attention to the importance of career training in his State of the State address, labeling it an emergency focus. He noted that many of the most sought-after jobs—such as welding, plumbing, and electrical work—require adequate vocational training. To that end, the governor has advocated for increased funding for the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program, which supports schools in providing career and technical education.
Furthermore, there is a push to enhance career training opportunities in rural districts aligned with local workforce needs. A proposed initiative would allow students to earn their high school diplomas alongside certificates in trades like plumbing and carpentry, providing valuable skills for post-graduation employment while responding to market demands.
In summary, Texas lawmakers are actively prioritizing various educational reforms and funding strategies in order to address significant issues in the state’s school systems, from teacher compensation to special education resources and vocational training programs.
