Texas Senate Unveils Historic $8 Billion Education Funding Plan

Texas is on track to invest more money into public education this session than ever before, according to Senator Brandon Creighton (R), chair of the Senate Education K-16 Committee. The committee unveiled the Senate’s version of House Bill 2 (HB 2), proposing an unprecedented $8 billion increase in funding for public schools, with over half dedicated to boosting teacher pay.

“This is more than any public education package that we’ve ever passed,” said Sen. Creighton. “Every single district, from Beaumont to El Paso, from Wichita Falls to McAllen benefits.”

The Senate and House proposals include the same overall funding increase but differ significantly in how the money would be distributed. The House plan raises the basic allotment, the per-student funding baseline, by nearly $400. The Senate offers a more modest $55 increase but introduces a new, permanent teacher pay allotment.

Creighton argued this approach gives districts more flexibility by preserving more basic allotment dollars for other needs.

The Senate plan guarantees teacher raises at key career milestones. Teachers entering their third year would see a raise of $2,500 in urban districts and $5,000 in rural ones. In year five, they would receive an additional $3,000 and $5,000, respectively. Experienced teachers with five or more years would receive both increases. The goal is to address disparities between rural and urban districts and retain experienced educators.

“Texas ranks 14th in starting teacher salaries but lags nationally for experienced teacher pay,” Creighton said. “And we’re losing them.”

Of the $4.2 billion allocated for teacher compensation, 80% would be distributed through the new allotment, with the remaining 20% enhancing the Teacher Incentive Allotment, which rewards high-performing teachers. The revised merit program would allow up to half of a district’s teachers to qualify, with increased bonus amounts.

HB 2 also includes measures previously passed by the Senate. These measures include a $1.3 billion increase in special education funding, $500 million for school safety, and support for mentorship and teacher training programs. With over half of new teachers entering classrooms without certification in 2024, the bill sets a deadline requiring all teachers to be certified by 2030.

As the session approaches its deadline, the House and Senate must reconcile their differences in conference committee. Both chambers have committed funding in their budgets, now, lawmakers must agree on how best to deliver these historic investments into classrooms across Texas.