When lawmakers rolled out House Bill 2 in the 89th Legislature, they promised a historic investment in public education. As the bill worked its way through the legislative process, the contents of the bill changed repeatedly, and educators across Texas were left wondering what actually ended up in the final version.
Now that HB 2 has been signed into law, and with updated guidance from the Texas Education Agency, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions you’ve submitted to us.
Let’s break it down.
Do teachers get a raise under HB 2?
Yes, if you are a classroom teacher with at least three years of experience. The new Teacher Retention Allotment (TRA) sets state-funded salary increases based on district size and experience level. Districts are required to allocate:
- $4,000 (3–4 years experience) and $8,000 (5+ years) in districts with 5,000 or fewer students
- $2,500 (3–4 years) and $5,000 (5+ years) in districts with more than 5,000 students
These aren’t stipends or temporary bonuses, they’re permanent base salary increases, and districts must reflect them in their pay schedules. However, first- and second-year teachers do not qualify, and non-classroom staff aren’t included under TRA.
Are instructional coaches included?
No. Instructional coaches, counselors, librarians, and other certified support staff outside the classroom aren’t eligible for the TRA, even if they’ve previously been classified as teachers. This has been a major frustration for districts and educators alike.
That said, HB 2 does create a first-ever Support Staff Retention Allotment (SSRA), a separate pot of $500 million with more flexibility in how it’s disbursed and to whom. Districts can use SSRA funding to offer stipends or raises to non-TRA staff, but they aren’t required to. Our local unions are focused on ensuring this money makes it into the pockets of support staff, paraprofessionals, and other non-classroom staff who need it most.
What about National Board-Certified Teachers?
Yes, they’re still eligible for additional incentive funding. HB 2 does not change eligibility under the existing Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), and the state still recognizes National Board Certification as a valid pathway to higher pay. For many teachers, especially in rural or high-needs districts, these incentives can stack with TRA raises.
Does the bill offer free pre-K for educators’ children?
Yes, and this is a major win. HB 2 expands eligibility for free public pre-K to include children of full-time classroom teachers. However, the bill doesn’t automatically extend that perk to other staff like ESL/SpEd teachers, coaches, or librarians. Districts do have the option to offer positions to other district staff, but they won’t receive extra state funding to do so; only the children of classroom teachers are covered under the funded mandate.
Does HB 2 affect federal laws like ESSA or Title IX?
No. The bill does not change any of the federal education protections currently in place, including those under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Title IX, or the Civil Rights Act of 1964. States cannot override federal civil rights obligations, and districts remain bound by those standards regardless of HB 2’s provisions.
Still confused? You’re not alone. As TEA rolls out more guidance and districts interpret the law, we’ll keep advocating and answering your questions. Submit any you have here.