Texas Lawmaker Proposes Abolishing State Education Agency
A North Texas Republican has filed a bill to abolish the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas. Freshman state Rep. Andy Hopper, R-Decatur, introduced House Bill 2657, which would transfer the powers and duties of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the education commissioner to the State Board of Education, TEA’s policy-making body.
Background
The bill, filed with no co-authors, would also transfer public school finance and fiscal management responsibilities to the state comptroller, whose new duties would include adopting an annual budget for the Foundation School Program, a key source of funding for Texas school districts. This proposal comes as President Donald Trump has backed abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.
Critique of the TEA
Hopper has criticized the TEA, calling it "a largely useless state bureaucracy" that "exemplifies rampant, unaccountable bureaucracy and bloat." He believes that the agency’s inefficiencies and waste have led to disappointment among Texans, who have poured billions of dollars into the agency with the expectation that it would improve education.
Challenges in Education
The TEA’s annual budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 is more than $38 billion. In its legislative allocation request for fiscal years 2026-27, Education Commissioner Mike Morath highlighted the challenges facing the education system, including learning disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which have exacerbated disparities in student outcomes and achievement. Morath also noted that student enrollment is at an all-time high, with a racially and ethnically diverse student population. More than 60% of school-age children are economically disadvantaged, and more than 1 million students’ first language is something other than English.
Performance Trends
While the state has seen a steady high school graduation rate and a slight increase in college readiness since the 2023-24 school year, some grades have experienced declines in reading language arts and social studies. There have also been performance drops in math from third grade through ninth grade and in science in third, eighth, and ninth grades.
Conclusion
Hopper’s proposal to abolish the TEA has sparked debate about the role of the agency in Texas education. While some argue that the agency is inefficient and ineffective, others believe that it plays a crucial role in ensuring that Texas schools receive adequate funding and support. As the bill moves forward, it will be important to consider the potential implications for Texas education and the needs of students across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of House Bill 2657?
A: The bill proposes to abolish the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and transfer its powers and duties to the State Board of Education.
Q: Why is the TEA being targeted for abolition?
A: The agency has been criticized for inefficiencies and waste, with some arguing that it is not effectively improving education in Texas.
Q: What would be the impact on public school finance and fiscal management?
A: The bill would transfer these responsibilities to the state comptroller, who would be required to adopt an annual budget for the Foundation School Program.
Q: How has the TEA responded to the proposal?
A: The agency has not publicly commented on the proposal, but its legislative allocation request for fiscal years 2026-27 highlighted the challenges facing the education system, including learning disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and disparities in student outcomes and achievement.
