- Jun 26
- 2 min read
The 89th Texas Legislature concluded its session with significant changes affecting educators across the state. Several key bills reshape the classroom landscape for teachers, bringing both opportunities and challenges.
Major Funding and Compensation Changes
House Bill 2 delivers an $8.5 billion boost to public education, providing districts with a modest $55 per-student increase to base funding. The legislation establishes $45 per student specifically for support staff salary increases, targeting counselors, librarians, and nurses rather than classroom teachers.
Pros for Teachers:
Enhanced support services through better-compensated staff members create stronger school environments
Free pre-K eligibility expands to teachers' children, reducing childcare costs
Additional security funding helps address safety concerns post-Uvalde
Cons for Teachers:
The $55 per-student base increase falls far short of the $1,300 districts requested to match inflation
Direct teacher pay increases remain limited compared to other education personnel
Funding formulas continue to lag behind actual classroom needs
Early Literacy and Assessment Requirements
New legislation mandates literacy and numeracy screeners for students from pre-K through third grade, requiring three annual assessments covering phonics, vocabulary, and spelling skills.
Pros for Teachers:
Early identification systems help teachers target struggling students more effectively
Structured assessment protocols provide clearer data for instructional planning
Systematic approach supports evidence-based reading instruction
Cons for Teachers:
Additional testing requirements consume valuable instructional time
Increased data collection and reporting responsibilities burden teachers
Pressure to improve screening results may narrow curriculum focus
DEI and Hiring Restrictions
The legislature passed measures prohibiting school districts from considering race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation in hiring and training decisions.
Pros for Teachers:
Simplified hiring processes focus on qualifications and merit
Reduced potential for workplace conflicts over identity-based policies
Clear guidelines eliminate ambiguity in professional development planning
Cons for Teachers:
Limited ability to address diverse student needs through targeted recruitment
Potential erosion of inclusive workplace cultures
Parent complaint mechanisms create additional scrutiny of teacher practices
Support Staff Investment
Districts receive targeted funding requiring salary increases for non-teaching personnel, with $45 per student dedicated exclusively to support staff compensation.
Pros for Teachers:
Better-compensated support staff improve overall school functioning
Reduced turnover among counselors and specialists benefits student services
Enhanced collaboration opportunities with well-supported colleagues
Cons for Teachers:
Funding priorities favor support roles over classroom teachers
Potential salary disparities create workplace tensions
Teachers continue facing compensation challenges while others receive targeted increases
These legislative changes reflect ongoing tensions between accountability demands, funding constraints, and educational quality. Teachers must navigate new assessment requirements while working within modest funding increases that primarily benefit other school personnel. The success of these measures will largely depend on implementation strategies at the district level and continued advocacy for comprehensive educator support.