Changes in Texas Education
When Texas students head back to class in the fall, school could feel different. The Legislature approved a bevy of education-focused bills that target everything from cellphones to DEI work. And while several consequential school bills are headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, many other proposals died in the final days of the session. Most notably, House and Senate members failed to reach an agreement on how to kill the STAAR test.
The session’s most closely-watched education policy — the creation of voucherlike education savings accounts — has already been signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. The new law will allow parents to tap into public funding to pay for private school costs, such as tuition and uniforms. ESAs are expected to be available beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Public school leaders are eagerly awaiting the governor’s signature on a bill that would funnel an additional $8.5 billion to public schools over the next two years. These are some of the bills that could reshape education in Texas.
Key Bills Awaiting Governor’s Signature
Several key bills are awaiting the governor’s signature, including those related to teacher pay raises, cellphone bans, discipline reform, DEI in K-12, Ten Commandments in classrooms, and library book rules.
Teacher Pay Raises
Thousands of Texas teachers would see pay raises in 2026. Teachers with three or four years of experience in school districts with more than 5,000 students would see their pay jump $2,500. Teachers with five or more years of experience would see their pay increase by $5,000. Those raises would nearly double for smaller school districts with 5,000 or fewer students.
Related: Many North Texas teachers will see pay increases under bill headed to the governor.
Cellphone Bans
Texas school boards would be required to pass policies banning cellphone use during school. Local district leaders would have to establish standards for storing cellphones during class, as well as setting discipline procedures for those who break the rules.
Some districts, such as Richardson ISD, have already implemented cellphone bans. Lake Highlands High School enforces the rule by having students put phones in pouches that are magnetically sealed at the start of the day and unlocked by special devices at dismissal.
Educators have long been concerned about the ways cellphones distract from learning, exacerbate bullying and aid in the spread of false alarms about school safety. Some parents have expressed worry about how they’d get in touch with their children during an emergency on campus. Students who need a phone for medical or safety reasons would be allowed to keep their devices with them.
Related: A North Texas high school locked up cellphones. Here’s what happened.
Revamping Discipline
A wide-ranging discipline reform bill will give schools more flexibility in how they punish students for misbehavior. For example, it will be easier to suspend young students and those experiencing homelessness. Schools will also be able to send children to in-school suspension for unlimited periods of time.
Campus leaders will get more discretion in how they punish children who bring an e-cigarette to school. Previously, if a student was caught vaping, they were required to serve a stint at an off-campus disciplinary alternative school.
Related: How Texas students, teachers could be impacted by a school discipline overhaul.
Banning DEI in K-12
Texas lawmakers believe the state’s “DEI ban” should extend from college campuses to K-12 schools. The ban would include prohibiting public and charter schools from enacting diversity, equity and inclusion programs and implementing hiring practices that consider race.
Schools would have to add provisions that allow districts to discipline employees who engage in DEI work. Senate Bill 12 would also bar school-sanctioned clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as forbid public and charter schools from providing any instruction, guidance or programming that acknowledges homosexuality or transgender identities.
Related: LGBTQ clubs, DEI in public schools would be banned under bill headed to the governor.
Ten Commandments in Classrooms
Lawmakers want the Ten Commandments displayed in all Texas public school classrooms. The state attorney general would have to defend public schools in any lawsuits arising from the mandate.
Supporters say students need exposure to the Ten Commandments, while opponents argue requiring the display is an unconstitutional effort to promote one religion over others.
Related: Ten Commandments requirement for Texas school classrooms heads to Gov. Abbott.Library Book Rules
School board trustees and parents would be able to pull books from school library shelves if they deem them profane or indecent. Librarians would need to seek the school board’s approval before buying books, while district officials could appoint advisory councils to review purchases and titles that are challenged by community members.
Republicans argued it would give local parents more control over the reading material their children have access to while in school. Democrats said it would risk students’ access to classic literature and other beneficial materials.
Related: Trustees, parents would review school library books under bill sent to governor.
Impact on Texas Education
These bills could have a significant impact on Texas education, affecting everything from teacher pay to student discipline to library book selection. The bills are designed to give schools and parents more control over education, but some critics argue they could have unintended consequences, such as limiting access to certain books or materials.
Conclusion
The Texas Legislature has approved several education-focused bills that could reshape the state’s education system. While some bills have already been signed into law, others are awaiting the governor’s signature. The impact of these bills will be closely watched in the coming months and years, as they have the potential to affect thousands of students, teachers, and parents across the state.
Dallas Morning News reporters Philip Jankowski, Karen Brooks Harper and Nolan D. McCaskill contributed to this article. The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas. The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Education Savings Account (ESA) program?
A: The ESA program is a new law that allows parents to tap into public funding to pay for private school costs, such as tuition and uniforms. ESAs are expected to be available beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Q: How will the cellphone ban affect students?
A: The cellphone ban will require Texas school boards to pass policies banning cellphone use during school. Students who need a phone for medical or safety reasons would be allowed to keep their devices with them.
Q: What is the DEI ban?
A: The DEI ban is a law that prohibits public and charter schools from enacting diversity, equity and inclusion programs and implementing hiring practices that consider race. The ban also prohibits school-sanctioned clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Q: How will the library book rules affect students?
A: The library book rules will allow school board trustees and parents to pull books from school library shelves if they deem them profane or indecent. Librarians will need to seek the school board’s approval before buying books, while district officials could appoint advisory councils to review purchases and titles that are challenged by community members.
