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89TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE

House committee advances school funding, voucher bills

Members of the House Public Education Committee voted 13-2 on Thursday to advance the school funding bill. HB 2 includes a small increase in the basic allotment, raising it to $6,500 per student (from the current $6,160). It does not include a specific teacher pay raise, but retains (and revises) existing language tying salary increases to funding increases. 

The committee also voted 9-6 to advance school voucher legislation, substituting the Senate-approved bill (SB 2) with the House version.

Both bills now head to the House Calendars Committee for possible scheduling on the House floor. Click here to read more.

The committee's decision on vouchers comes as a Rice University study found that 46% of Houston-area residents have some level of opposition to school vouchers, with only 41% expressing support.

Earlier in the week, the House Appropriations Committee passed its substitute for the Senate's budget, which contains $10 billion in funding for K-12 and higher education, contingent on related legislation passing. Read more here.

TCTA testifies on teacher preparation bills

The Senate K-16 Education Committee met Tuesday to hear testimony on bills related to school safety, teacher preparation and the A-F accountability system.

TCTA testified neutrally on SB 2252, which is related to early childhood literacy and numeracy. It would create K-8 Math Academies to train teachers and includes stipends for participation in those academies. TCTA strongly cautioned the committee to take the lessons learned from the K-3 Reading Academy rollout into account as it considers math academies.

TCTA also testified neutrally on SB 2253, which would revamp teacher certification pathways and provide incentives for uncertified teachers to become certified. TCTA supports the incentives for earning certification but objects to the broad authority issued to the commissioner to make rules for new certificates and mandate curriculum in educator preparation programs.

TCTA registered in support of SB 1262, which would continue the school safety work in HB 3 from last session. Click here to read more.

In other action, the full Senate passed a school prayer bill, sending it to the House for consideration.

Join the Save Texas Schools Rally at the Capitol on Saturday

Save Texas Schools plans an outdoor rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT Saturday, April 5, at the Capitol to urge lawmakers to support public education by providing more funding.

If you're planning to attend, the weather is expected to be cool and possibly rainy, so be sure to dress accordingly.

OTHER NEWS

Appeals court clears TEA to release accountability ratings

The Texas Education Agency is now allowed to publish its 2023 A-F school accountability ratings after an appeals court lifted an injunction that previously blocked their release.

Established in 2017, the A-F system evaluates schools and districts on various performance indicators, like student STAAR scores and student preparedness for college. TEA can use a school’s grade to determine whether to intervene, as it did when it took over Houston ISD in 2023. 

When the rating system changed in 2023 to raise the thresholds for top ratings, more than 120 districts sued, arguing that TEA failed to provide sufficient notice of the changes. In 2024, a separate lawsuit was filed over TEA's use of computer scoring on STAAR tests. Click here to read more.

Get tips on smarter teaching with AI at our April 15 webinar

Please join us April 15 at 6 p.m. CDT for the next Tuesdays with TCTA webinar on smarter teaching with artificial intelligence. In this free 1-hour Zoom session, guest presenter Dr. Bruce Ellis will discuss how AI can assist with generating lesson ideas, suggest engaging activities, adapt content for diverse learners and help with assessments. Walk away with practical strategies to integrate AI into your workflow and enhance your impact in the classroom. Click here to register.

Can't join us live? Register and get a link to watch the Zoom recording.

Voting ends May 5 for active employee seat on TRS Board

An election for the TRS Board of Trustees public school district employee position ends May 5. The position will be appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott from a list of the three candidates who receive the most votes. The term on the TRS Board begins as early as Sept. 1, 2025, and ends Aug. 31, 2031.

Eligible current employees of a public school district, charter school or regional education service center were sent voting instructions in mid-March. Click here for more information, including a look at the candidates.

Program pays for training to be a diagnostician or psychologist in small, rural school districts

TEA's Special Education Small and Rural Schools division is accepting applications through April 14 for the evaluation certification reimbursement program. The program provides funding for current school staff members to become a certified educational diagnostician or a school psychologist. Upon completion of the certification program, participants must agree to work a minimum of three years as a diagnostician or psychologist in a small and/or rural public school district.

Click here for more information and application instructions.

USDE warns schools: Eliminate DEI programs or lose funding

The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funds from public schools that have diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

In a letter to state leaders across the country, the U.S. Education Department said Title I funding, which is targeted to schools with a high proportion of low income students, would be threatened if schools failed to follow its interpretation of civil rights laws. States have 10 days to certify compliance. 

USDE also has established negotiated rulemaking committees to review federal student aid regulations, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness. TCTA will provide more information on any changes as we learn more.

Ace your TExES exams with 240 Tutoring study guides

The TExES Core Subjects EC-6 webinars are now available for April registration. 240 Tutoring has put together five in-depth webinars designed to break down the test by subject. Space is limited, and each webinar is $19.99.

TCTA members save 50% on monthly access to 240 Tutoring's personalized study guides with quizzes, flashcards and videos. Click here for our special enrollment link or to learn more.

• Save Texas Schools plans a rally at the Capitol on April 5.
• The State Board of Education meets April 7-11 in Austin.
• The STAAR testing window for Grades 3-8 Reading Language Arts, English I and English II is April 8-18.
• The STAAR testing window for Grade 5 Science, Grade 8 Science, Grade 8 Social Studies, Biology and U.S. History is April 15-25.
• The STAAR Alternate 2 testing window closes April 19.
• Easter is April 20. TCTA Headquarters will be closed April 18.
• The STAAR testing window for Grades 3-8 Mathematics and Algebra I is April 22-May 2.
• The State Board for Educator Certification meets April 25 in Austin.