Teacher Pay Raises in Texas: A Proposal for Across-the-Board Raises and Merit Pay System
The Texas legislature is set to debate a proposal for an across-the-board raise for the state’s experienced educators. The proposal, put forth by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, aims to provide thousands of extra dollars to teachers who have dedicated their lives to shaping the next generation.
The Proposal
Creighton’s bill would give $10,000 to educators with five or more years of experience who work in districts of fewer than 5,000 students. Teachers in larger districts would receive $5,500. Those who have been teaching for three years or less would receive half that amount.
The proposal would also expand the state’s teacher merit pay system, ensuring that districts provide teachers with access to free pre-K for their children. Additionally, Creighton has promised to introduce separate bills addressing classroom safety, educator training, and contract protections, which he is calling the "Teacher Bill of Rights."
Teacher Advocates React
While some teacher advocates welcome the proposal, others are concerned about the long-term sustainability of the funds and the narrow target for who receives raises. Clay Robison, spokesman for the Texas State Teachers Association, stated, "We should not even be talking about merit pay until we raise the pay significantly for every teacher in the state. Every teacher deserves – needs and deserves – more pay, not just a select few."
Teacher Pay in Texas
The average base pay for teachers in Texas is around $62,500, with rural districts often paying less than their urban and suburban counterparts. Texas teachers continue to leave the profession at a higher rate than before the pandemic, with an attrition rate of roughly 12% last year.
Governor’s Support
Gov. Greg Abbott has named raising teacher pay one of seven emergency items for this legislative session. He is in favor of growing Texas’ Teacher Incentive Allotment, the pay-for-performance system that is also a cornerstone of Creighton’s plan. Abbott’s administration has pledged to invest $750 million to expand the program, bringing more teachers into the merit pay system.
Merit Pay System
The incentive system rewards teachers who prove effective based on classroom observations and student performance on state tests. Just under half of the state’s roughly 1,200 districts participate in the Texas Incentive Allotment, and less than 10% of the state’s over 380,000 teachers were designated for bonuses through the program last year. Of those, roughly 1,400 teachers earned $100,000 or more, making up less than 0.5% of educators in the state.
Education Commissioner’s Praise
Education Commissioner Mike Morath praised the outcomes of the state’s pay-for-performance model, saying, "You will have them in the classroom longer if you can increase the raises that they are given. That is the crux of a strategic change in compensation."
Conclusion
The debate around teacher pay raises in Texas is complex and multifaceted. While some argue that the proposal does not go far enough, others see it as a step in the right direction. As the legislature continues to deliberate, one thing is clear: the importance of supporting and compensating Texas’ educators cannot be overstated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Sen. Creighton’s proposal?
A: Sen. Creighton’s proposal is an across-the-board raise for experienced educators, with a focus on those in small districts.
Q: What is the merit pay system?
A: The merit pay system rewards teachers who prove effective based on classroom observations and student performance on state tests.
Q: How many teachers in Texas earn over $100,000?
A: Less than 0.5% of the state’s over 380,000 teachers earn $100,000 or more.
Q: How much does the state provide per student?
A: The state provides each student with $6,160 in funding, which has remained unchanged since 2019.
