Texas Classroom Commission members announced

Last Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott announced the membership of his Texas Classroom Commission. Twenty-one current and former teachers will join previously named Chair Courtney Boswell MacDonald on the commission whose stated goal is “strengthening student achievement, and ensuring Texas becomes the No. 1 state for educating kids.”

Readers may remember the previous incarnation of this work with the 2022-2023 Teacher Vacancy Taskforce (that initially included zero teachers) whose report was published in February 2023, deep into the 88th session. Though many state leaders will tout their legislative accomplishments in addressing the recommendations in the report such as teacher pay and classroom discipline, the solutions have sometimes been uneven, as with teacher incentive allotment changes in House Bill (HB) 2 or Bluebonnet Learning (HB 1605) or are too new for data to tell us a story, as with HB 6, which updated and expanded behavioral management. However, many of the TVTF planks remain untouched by lawmakers:

• Enhance Teachers’ Total Compensation Package, including healthcare costs and teacher well-being

• Demonstrate Respect and Value for Teacher Time, including a teacher time study

• Ensure Schoolwide Culture and Discipline Supports, including counseling supports

Our research into the list reveals that at least 50 percent of commission members are current or former State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) members, served on the previous Teacher Vacancy Taskforce, or are current of former fellows of programs closely aligned with the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

We do not doubt that they are all qualified individuals, in fact several members already wield considerable influence over the teaching profession via their appointment to the SBEC. Our concern with the efficacy of this new commission lies with the same leaders asking the same questions of the same people and getting the same predetermined responses. We wonder if this habit will ultimately yield different results for teachers.

One thing is certain, teachers are exhausted from being election-year pawns and they do not want yet another committee to provide cover for the commissioner and governor to trot out pet initiatives that do not solve the root problems at the heart of this profession. Texas AFT will be monitoring the activities and actions of this commission as we move ever close to another session.