Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the creation of a new teacher-led initiative aimed at improving public education across the state.
The Texas Classroom Commission will bring together current and retired public school educators to develop recommendations focused on classroom instruction, teacher support, student achievement and the overall learning environment.
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Abbott said the goal is to put educators at the center of conversations about how to improve schools and help Texas become the top state in the nation for educating students.
“Texas teachers know what their students need to succeed,” Abbott said. “The Texas Classroom Commission will bring together exemplary public school educators to identify innovative solutions that help students succeed, improve the learning environment in classrooms, and strengthen our schools.”
The commission will make recommendations to the governor, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Legislature ahead of the 90th Legislative Session.
The announcement comes after recent investments in public education and teacher compensation made by Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows and lawmakers.
Patrick said teachers play a critical role in student development and emphasized the importance of giving educators a voice in shaping policy.
“Other than a parent, no person is more influential in a child’s development than a teacher,” Patrick said.
Speaker Burrows highlighted recent education investments, including teacher pay raises, additional funding for the Teacher Incentive Allotment and expanded classroom authority for educators.
The commission will be led by Courtney Boswell MacDonald of Kerrville, a former classroom teacher and current chair of the State Board for Educator Certification.
MacDonald previously worked on the Senate Education Committee and served as executive director for education reform organizations. She also taught math in Richardson ISD and Dallas ISD.
The commission will include classroom teachers from across Texas and is expected to begin meeting in the coming weeks. Officials say the group will deliver its recommendations before the start of the next legislative session.