Texas House Unveils Sweeping Education Package
A flurry of bills filed in the Texas House on Thursday tackle public school funding, STAAR tests, teacher quality, and a voucher-style program to funnel public money toward private school tuition.
The slate of bills came amid a tense legislative session in which education is a central theme.
"We are very proud of what this education package does," Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said.
Texas schools face strained budgets due to inflation and other factors. However, the basic per-student allotment that schools receive hasn’t changed since 2019. A handful of North Texas districts have closed campuses or are debating such moves. Fort Worth ISD, for example, may shutter up to two dozen schools.
School Funding Boost
Under the House’s plan, public schools would see the base amount of funding per-student go up by $220. The basic allotment has sat at $6,160 since the last major overhaul of school funding. School leaders say that is inadequate to cover the cost of educating Texas schoolchildren, especially amid the rising costs of everything from bus fuel to insurance.
To keep up with inflation, officials say the figure should be at least $1,000 higher. Some school leaders know such a large increase isn’t likely. Still, they want to see movement so they can afford teacher pay raises, safety upgrades, and other improvements.
"We want to work with lawmakers to figure out: What is the best investment we can make, that’s prudent, that’s sustainable, that’s within the state’s means, that can make the biggest impact for our kids?" Plano schools chief of staff Danny Stockton previously said.
Teacher Quality
Public schools would institute new rules around the hiring of uncertified teachers under one of the bills. Texas schools increasingly are relying on uncertified teachers, with new state data revealing that more than 1 in 10 Texas teachers lack a state certification. The rate is far higher among newly hired educators.
A bill from Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, would limit which courses uncertified teachers are allowed to teach in the future. It also offers a financial incentive to districts to have their teachers earn certification. Districts would have to pay beginner educators with a certification a higher salary than uncertified ones. A recent study from Texas Tech University found that students who have a new uncertified teacher could lose as much as four months of learning.
Scaling Back Standardized Tests
Another Buckley bill would overhaul the STAAR test and replace it with another standardized testing system. Burrows threw his support behind "the elimination of the STAAR test." Public school students must take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests in various subjects beginning in the third grade.
"As a father of three boys in public school — and a friend of many parents who have children in public school — I will tell you I hear nothing more difficult for many children talking about high-stakes, one-time testing," he said. "We all deserve to have a bad day."
The bill directs the Texas Education Agency to reduce the length of the state standardized assessment and modify it in other ways. Annual student testing is required by federal law. Texas grades how well schools are educating students in an A-F school accountability system that’s largely based on STAAR results.
Education Savings Accounts
The House unveiled its priority school-choice bill. The $1 billion program would have universal eligibility. Families would be prioritized based on their income level and whether their child has a disability. The education savings account would be valued at 85% of the average amount public schools receive per student in state and local funding.
Such voucher-like proposals historically died in the House. However, Gov. Greg Abbott spent much of his political capital to unseat rural GOP House members who opposed his ESA plans last session.
The Republican governor has said he now believes he has the votes in the House to make such a program law. Democrats remain in opposition.
Conclusion
The Texas House’s education package aims to address some of the state’s most pressing education issues, from school funding to teacher quality and standardized testing. While the package is ambitious, it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will be able to pass these measures and make a meaningful impact on the state’s education system.
FAQs
Q: What is the proposed school funding increase?
A: The House’s plan would increase the basic per-student allotment by $220.
Q: Why is teacher certification important?
A: Teacher certification ensures that educators have received rigorous training and are qualified to teach in their subject area.
Q: What is the goal of the education savings account program?
A: The program aims to provide more options for families, including those with disabilities, to access private school education.
Q: What is the current state of standardized testing in Texas?
A: The current system is based on the STAAR test, which many parents and educators have criticized for being too time-consuming and stressful for students. The proposed bill would overhaul the testing system to make it more effective and efficient.
