This week, the Texas Senate advanced its version of House Bill 2, the marquee school finance proposal of the 89th Legislature. The original version of HB 2, passed by the Texas House earlier this month, included a $395 per-student increase to the basic allotment, along with new investments in bilingual education, fine arts, and full-day pre-K programs. That funding, while not enough to make up for years of underinvestment and inflation, offered a better starting point than the Senate’s original plan — which proposed no increase to the basic allotment. The committee substitute, the result of negotiations between the House and Senate, is an improvement on its original version and includes several provisions that our members have advocated for all session therefore we call on members of the Texas House of Representatives to concur on Senate changes to House Bill 2, despite lingering concerns.
“Texas AFT supports the compromise on House Bill 2, which makes significant investments in educators and support staff while hopefully also keeping the lights on for another two years in our public school classrooms,” said Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT. “Though we are urging House lawmakers to accept the compromise, we also must remind the entire Legislature that a one-time investment is not enough. Since 2019, we’ve seen what happens when the state makes a major investment in schools but does not return each session thereafter to build on that foundation. Targeted, directed allotments are a novel approach, and we hope the Legislature continues to fund them in future sessions. This must be the start of a longer conversation about what our students, educators, and schools truly need to thrive.”
Key Highlights of the New HB 2:
- $4.2 billion in teacher and staff pay raises
- $500 million in a new allotment for support staff, paraprofessionals, and other non-classroom employees
- $1.3 billion in a new “Allotment for Basic Costs” (ABC) to help districts manage insurance, utilities, and retirement costs
- $2.2 billion in funding for early literacy, and career and technical education (CTE)
- $850 million dedicated to special education investments and student evaluation reimbursements
- $200 million for charter school facilities funding (which Texas AFT continues to oppose)
HB 2 also makes investments in teacher preparation aimed at phasing out district employment of uncertified teachers by 2030. The new bill version reinforces certification standards by restricting the employment of uncertified teachers in foundation curriculum courses, especially in reading and math for upper grades. This helps protect teaching as a profession requiring expertise, and we are glad to see districts given state funding to work toward this important goal.
Inside HB 2: Guaranteed Teacher Pay Increases
The Senate’s version of HB 2 creates a new Teacher Retention Allotment to provide sustained, state-funded raises for classroom teachers, recognizing the urgent need to improve compensation amid a growing educator shortage (that Texas AFT has been drawing attention to for years).
Allotment Amounts:
- Districts with fewer than 5,000 students:
- $4,000 per teacher with 3-4 years of experience
- $8,000 per teacher with 5+ years
- Districts with more than 5,000 students:
- $2,500 for 3-4 years
- $5,000 for 5+ years
This funding must be used solely for salary increases for classroom teachers who were employed by the district in the previous year. Starting in 2026–2027, districts must maintain the salary levels established through this allotment, effectively locking in the raise as a permanent addition to base pay. This represents a significant shift toward recurring state investment in teacher pay rather than one-time bonuses and aligns with the Educator’s Bill of Rights demand for significant across-the-board raises for veteran educators.
Inside HB 2: Support Staff Finally Get Some Respect from the Legislature
The new HB 2 introduces a new Support Staff Allotment to deliver long-overdue raises for non-administrative school employees. Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, every school district will receive $45 per student in adjusted average daily attendance, which must be used to increase salaries for support staff who are not classroom teachers or administrators. Districts are required to use these funds exclusively for compensation, and beginning in 2026–2027, must maintain those salary increases. The Support Staff Allotment functions alongside the broader Teacher Retention Allotment, ensuring that the essential work of custodians, bus drivers, aides, cafeteria workers, and other staff is recognized with dedicated, recurring funding.
This is a major win for support staff, and Texas AFT is proud to be one of the only organizations at the Capitol consistently advocating on behalf of all school employees – except for administrators, of course. (Unlike other organizations, Texas AFT represents your interests, not your bosses’.)
What Our Members Are Saying
This bill is a substantial improvement over the Senate’s original school funding proposals, and it represents the dogged advocacy of parents and educators, our members chief among them. Even so, the current proposal still falls short of what’s needed to truly fund public schools to thrive, a startling reality with a nearly $30 billion balance in the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund and over $40 billion in unused general revenue.
There’s no guarantee that either the Teacher Retention Allotment or the Support Staff Allotment will be permanent, and no real plan to restore per-pupil funding to inflation-adjusted 2019 levels. Senators and state officials seem loath to add more money to the basic allotment due to concerns about inflated superintendent salaries and bloated administrative costs, something that also concerns our union and our members. They appear to be trying out an experiment in school finance in which the Legislature pulls back on local control in order to direct more targeted investments into public schools.
Texas AFT convened a group of members and leaders on Thursday to discuss their concerns and answer questions about the latest proposal. These members from districts across the state and representing certified and classified employees raised critical questions about the latest version of HB 2 that we are working to clarify as the bill moves back to the House.
- On Teacher Raises: Members said they were concerned about the permanence of raises that aren’t tied to school funding formulas. We have seen many times before that what the Legislature gives this session, it could take away the next.
- On Support Staff: Many asked whether certified, non-classroom staff like diagnosticians are covered under the Support Staff Allotment. The bill’s language is vague, but our legislative team believes these vital employees are included. Still, we’ll keep pushing for clarity and guarantees.
- On Librarians: Unfortunately, librarians are not explicitly included in the raise unless they also serve as classroom teachers. We will need to organize at the local level on behalf of our librarians.
- On National Board Certification: NBCT is of critical concern to many of our classroom members, who have worked tirelessly to hone their skills and gain this national recognition. Under this latest version of HB 2, NBCT is still recognized, but at a reduced incentive level (acknowledged) and subject to continued review and approval from the appointed State Board for Educator Certification.
- On Pre-K Funding: Our members also flagged concerns about the bill’s vague “private partnerships” language on its provision for pre-K funding. We are pleased to see the eligibility for teachers’ children has stayed put throughout all versions of this bill and now educators will have long overdue access to free full-day pre-K for their children. We are also keeping a close eye on the complexities that may arise with implementation.
Should the House concur with the Senate’s changes, which our members last night encouraged them to do, the bill will go to the governor’s desk to become law. From there, the work to implement this new funding structure merely begins.
Texas AFT is committed to organizing locally in districts statewide to ensure the Support Staff Allotment funding makes its way to the employees who need it most and that vital pay raises and incentives are preserved for our teachers. When we talked with members on Thursday, their message was clear: educators are all in to organize and ensure our paras and support staff get the raises they deserve. As one member said, “We won’t stop!” And we agree.
Meanwhile, in the House Public Education Committee…
As the 89th legislative session approaches its final days, the Texas House Public Education Committee held its final public hearing this week, reviewing a packed agenda of Senate bills (SBs) with wide-ranging implications for public schools. From policies on AI-generated deepfakes to expanded Holocaust education and mandatory misconduct reporting, lawmakers debated dozens of proposals for hours on end.
Three bills were voted out of the House Public Education Committee:
- SB 401 by Sen. Angela Paxton relates to participation by non-enrolled students in University Interscholastic League (UIL) -sponsored activities. It serves as a companion to House Bill 775 by Rep. James Frank, aiming to streamline the involvement of non-enrolled individuals in UIL events.
- SB 568 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt addresses special education funding under the Foundation School Program. With the adoption of a committee substitute, this bill now aligns with HB 2 regarding special education investments.
- SB 865 by Sen. Carol Alvarado amends the education code to require CPR training and maintenance of CPR certification for school nurses, assistant school nurses, and other key personnel. It is similar to a bill the committee passed two weeks prior, further enhancing school emergency preparedness.
While the rest of the bills were left pending, several key proposals drew extended discussion, including SB 747 on cyberbullying and AI-generated deepfakes, SB 2392 on mandatory reporting of educator misconduct, and SB 735 on Holocaust education.
Later that week, the House Public Education Committee reconvened for a formal meeting to take action on some of the pending bills. In the Texas Legislature, a “formal meeting” is a procedural step that allows committees to vote on pending legislation outside of a regular hearing. These meetings are scheduled, posted publicly, and used to take formal action on bills already laid out and discussed.
Of note, two bills that were left pending during the final committee hearing came up during the committee’s formal meeting.
- SB 570 by Bettencourt aims to combat truancy by mandating public schools adopt comprehensive attendance policies. These policies would inform students and parents about the importance of regular attendance and provide support for at-risk students. This is a significant step in improving student engagement and reducing dropout rates. The bill was reported favorably without amendments and is awaiting a House vote.
- SB 1447 by Sen. José Menéndez addresses the use of assistive technology by students with disabilities. It ensures that these students can continue using their approved devices, even with restrictions imposed by the SCOPE Act. Texas AFT supported this legislation, emphasizing accommodating students’ education plans (IEPs) and Section 504 plans. The bill was passed without amendments and is awaiting a House vote.
Meanwhile, in the Senate Education Committee…
At Thursday’s Senate Education Committee hearing, lawmakers took up a wide-ranging set of House bills poised to reshape Texas education policy.
Notably, HB 4, authored by Rep. Brad Buckley and sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, proposes replacing the STAAR exam with three shorter, instructionally supportive assessments and revising the A–F accountability system to reflect broader school quality indicators. Texas AFT supports the measure, as a move toward a less punitive and more holistic approach to student learning and school performance.
HB 2243 by Rep. Tom Oliverson, which creates a Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, also earned our union’s backing after the bill author listened to the feedback of our members and local leaders. The bill acknowledges ongoing burnout and attrition in the profession, aiming to identify real solutions to improve educator morale and working conditions.
Conversely, HB 4687 by Reps. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins and Terri Leo Wilson, which expands liability protections for charter school campuses, drew skepticism from public school advocates. Texas AFT has cautioned that such measures could weaken oversight for charter operators at a time when transparency is urgently needed.
Other bills with potential long-term impact include HB 1868 by Leo Wilson, which authorizes a study on dual-credit program funding and teaching capacity (an equity issue Texas AFT has prioritized), as well as HB 4848 by Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, which would expand $10,000 competency-based bachelor’s degrees at certain public colleges. While our union is supportive of higher education affordability, Texas AFT stresses the need to maintain strong academic and labor standards.
From performance-based finance to campus safety and civics education, the committee moved forward on a packed agenda. Though many of the bills aim to expand opportunity or reduce inefficiency, public education advocates emphasized the need for accountability, equity, and respect for professional educators at every step.
On the Move: Good & Bad Bills of the Week
In a gross violation of academic and religious freedom, SB 10 would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every Texas classroom. Rep. James Talarico deftly questioned the House sponsor about the separation of church and state, before calling a point of order on the bill.
The point was withdrawn (because it was valid and would have killed the bill) and SB 10 was recommitted to the House Public Education Committee. Chairman Buckley called a formal meeting during House proceedings on Wednesday evening to correct the error in the documentation, so the bill could proceed.
Unfortunately, this delay was not be enough to keep the bill from hitting the House calendar again in time for passage this session. The House will take up SB 10 again on Saturday.
On the floor on Thursday, there was robust debate on SB 11, which would require districts to vote on whether to implement a period of prayer in public schools. Several Democrats offered amendments that could have improved a bill that would materially violate the rights of teachers, parents, and students to individually pray in schools in manner consistent with their own religious beliefs.
While the bill creates the option to adopt a policy of prayer and does not require districts to engage in this practice, the secondary effect is to paint a target on districts that choose not to adopt this policy. There was substantial back-and-forth debate, but in the end, the bill passed to third reading, 91-51.
HB 6, the student discipline package, came to the Senate floor on Thursday night, immediately before senators took up HB 2. This version of the bill incorporates much of what was in SB 1871, and several floor amendments made significant improvements to the bill, addressing our members’ documented concerns.
One amendment made removal to disciplinary alternative education placement (DAEP) for vaping permissible rather than required on the first offense, another removed court enforcement of parent meetings for behavioral disagreements, and yet another required comparable services for students under in-school suspension (ISS), such as technology and supports.
There are still some points of contention for our union with the bill’s text, like the ability to suspend pre-K-3 grade students, but overall, the legislation now more closely balances the needs of teachers and students.
There was also significant movement on HB 4/SB 1962, the assessment and accountability reform bill. On Wednesday morning the House Public Education Committee took up SB 1962 and fully substituted the engrossed version of HB 4 before voting it out of committee — a sigh of relief was heard across the lawn from those advocating for the House package.
However, in a late-night continuation of the Senate Education K-16 Committee hearing on Thursday, HB 1962 was swapped for HB 4; SB 1962 more closely resembles HB 4 as filed, a bill Texas AFT initially opposed. So, the text of these bills has effectively flipped, and it’s helpful to think of them as traveling together.
The bill was left pending in committee but will need to travel swiftly to the floor of the Senate in order for it to pass and head to an inevitable conference committee between the two chambers.