Philanthropy Advocates applauds members of the Texas Legislature for their critical $8.5 billion investment in Texas public education rooted in supporting students and teachers.
Leadership from Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, Speaker Burrows led negotiations to ensure passage of a comprehensive school finance package. We appreciate Chairwoman Huffman, Chairman Creighton, Chairman Bonnen, Chairman Buckley and the diligent work of their staff and fellow members for leading this landmark investment and policy package.
While there is much to applaud in this comprehensive bill, we must call special attention and praise to the historic investments made this legislative session in building and retaining a strong teacher workforce. Sustained improvements to student learning will not occur without ensuring Texas teachers are well-trained and supported. With HB 2, Texas has become a national leader in securing an effective, supported teacher workforce for years to come.
“By supporting today’s teachers and making generational investments in well-prepared future educators, HB 2 gives Texas its best chance yet at transforming student outcomes. We commend Chairman Buckley and Chairman Creighton for their leadership, and Texas philanthropy stands ready to support our students and educators in making their vision a reality.” — Ryan Franklin, Managing Director for Policy and Advocacy
What’s in HB 2?
- $55 basic allotment increase through golden penny yield reforms, which tie automatic funding increases to property value growth, and $1.3 billion Allotment for Basic Costs.
- Both these investments aim to support the Texas public education workforce and day-to-day operations. Basic allotment dollars have not been adjusted by the state since 2019. We appreciate the Texas Legislature for providing this increase and recognizing rising costs in recent years.
- Investments in building and retaining a strong teacher workforce
- Expansion of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) with an increased floor and ceiling for TIA pay raises,
- Substantial teacher pay increases through the new Teacher Retention Allotment for permanent pay raises to teachers at the 3-year and 5-year career milestones, and
- Established formulas to build the supply of well-trained teachers through hands-on preparation models (residencies, student teaching, and grow your own models coupled with strong mentorship) while also reducing the current reliance on uncertified teachers.
- Investments at key milestones of students’ learning journey to ensure strong academic foundations early, and seamless transitions out of the PK-12 system, such as:
- Reallocation of Early Education Allotment dollars to ensure all school districts can pay for full-day prekindergarten for eligible 4-year-olds, and providing free prekindergarten for the children of teachers.
- New investments for student pathways to in-demand careers:
- $20 million for expansion of the successful R-PEP model, and
- Increases to P-TECH student funding from $50 to $150.
- Investments in early literacy screening, math training for K-3 teachers, special education funding with first-ever reimbursements for student evaluations, school safety allotment, and many more improvements through funding infusions and policy adjustments to support students and teachers.
House Bill 2 is a broad package that focuses investments on improving student academic outcomes in the classroom, recruiting and retaining strong teachers, and ensuring school districts have resources to support students along their educational journey from prekindergarten through transitions to postsecondary education or the workforce.
We applaud Texas lawmakers for the passage of House Bill 2, and the Texas philanthropic community will be hard at work supporting successful implementation of this student and teacher focused package.
Read what others are saying about HB 2.
We support Texas philanthropy to accelerate improvements in Texas education through state-level policy and advocacy.
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