Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for help
Public schools got little help from lawmakers this year to address the stateโs chronic teacher shortage, so theyโve turned to other creative solutions โ like leaning on cultural exchange programs to recruit international teachers.
The Texas Houseโs new priority education bill offers concessions to sway voucher skeptics
The revised bill promises a significant funding increase for public schools and academic accountability measures for students participating in the proposed voucher program, two of the biggest requests from voucher opponents.
Gov. Greg Abbott says heโll add teacher pay to the special session โ but only if lawmakers pass school voucher bill
Though lawmakers have drafted a bill to increase public school funding and teacher salaries, it cannot pass during the special session unless Abbott adds those issues to his agenda.
Vouchers return this special session โ and school funding might be left out. Hereโs what you need to know.
Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their childrenโs private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda.
Texas House committee report outlines possible path forward for school vouchers
The House blocked school vouchers during this yearโs regular lawmaking session, but a report released Friday shows some members might be willing to approve such a scaled-back version of the program that doesnโt compete with public schools for funds.
Brazosport ISD is training its own teachers. The program might become a model for other Texas schools.
The small districtโs apprenticeship program lets aspiring teachers earn a bachelorโs degree and teacher certification at no cost. In return, participants must work at the district for at least three years. Observers hope state lawmakers will use the program as a model for legislation.
With no new funding from the state, Texas schools are breaking the bank to pay for teacher raises
Lawmakers this year didnโt approve extra money to help schools pay for raises despite having an unprecedented $32 billion surplus โ even after Gov. Greg Abbott commissioned a task force last year to improve teacher pay and retention.
No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Hereโs what changed for public education this legislative session.
Lawmakers sacrificed school funding to block school vouchers, but the issue could be debated again in a special session. Districts will get new funds for school safety, though Uvalde families were ultimately left disappointed with inaction on gun restrictions.
Texas House advances $4.5 billion school funding bill
Lawmakers have already proposed directing billions of dollars to schools so they can lower property taxes and pay for safety upgrades. But House Bill 100 would be the first to increase the amount of money districts receive to raise teacher pay and cover the actual costs of educating students.
With full state coffers and bipartisan support, Texas teachers are hopeful theyโll get a raise this year
The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and burnout have pummeled teachers in the last few years. Lawmakers from both parties agree they should get a pay bump โ but it wonโt happen without some negotiation.