School Vouchers and Education Savings Accounts: This bill proposes the creation of an ESA program, allocating $10,000 per student annually for private school tuition and related expenses. Students with disabilities would receive $11,500, and homeschooling families could access at least $2,000 per year.
Teacher Compensation and Support: The Senate's budget plan includes a $4,000 annual salary increase for all Texas teachers, with an additional $6,000 for those in rural areas, totaling a $10,000 raise for rural educators. Governor Greg Abbott advocates for expanding this program, which rewards teachers based on performance metrics. The Senate has proposed allocating $750 million for this expansion.
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Restructuring: Introduced by State Representative Andy Hopper, this bill seeks to abolish the TEA, transferring its responsibilities to the State Board of Education and the Texas Comptroller.
Religious Displays and Practices in Schools: One bill mandates the display lf the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Another bill allows school boards to allocate time for prayer or religious text study, with a focus on the Bible.
Cellphone Usage Restrictions: Proposed by Rep. Ellen Troxclair, this bill would require school districts to adopt policies prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices during the school day, aiming to reduce distractions and address mental health concerns.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: There is ongoing legislative activity aimed at banning DEI programs in public institutions, including schools.
The legislative bills reviewed are currently under consideration in the Texas Legislature and have not yet been passed into law. The process for a bill to become law involves multiple stages, including committee reviews, votes in the Texas House and Senate, and final approval or veto by the Governor. The Texas legislative session runs from January 14, 2025, to May 26, 2025, meaning these bills may be subject to amendments, delays, or rejection at any stage. If passed, implementation timelines will vary depending on each bill's provisions.