From Capitol to Classroom: Texans Deserve World-Class Public Education

Texas deserves a thriving economy that continues to create jobs and improve the quality of life for Texas families. To achieve this, state lawmakers must deeply and meaningfully invest in Texas’ 5.5 million public school students and teachers. The foundation of a stronger Texas of tomorrow is in our public schools today.

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Texas ranks second in total population and is the third fastest-growing population in the nation. However, there’s a disconnect between our economic growth and investment in the people driving our growth.

Take public education. Texas ranks in the bottom 10 states in per-pupil spending, more than $4,000 per student behind the national average. This figure has remained stagnant since 2019 and has not been adjusted for inflation.

When the Texas Legislature convenes in January 2025, lawmakers will have access to substantial funding—at least $21 billion in available state general revenue and over $23 billion in the state’s Rainy Day Fund—to address the many needs of our students, teachers, families, workforce, and local communities. Investments in Texas’ local public schools, our students, and our teachers are not only possible but critically important.

From the Capitol to the classroom, Raise Your Hand Texas' nonpartisan advocacy work over the next year will ask the state to recommit to funding full-day pre-kindergarten, addressing critical issues facing the teaching profession and our classrooms, and prioritizing public dollars for public schools.

Lift Up Our Teacher Workforce: Invest in Recruitment and Retention

Over three-fourths of Texas teachers have seriously considered leaving the profession for the past three years, marking the highest teacher dissatisfaction in decades. The continuation of this trend indicates this is no longer a temporary response to pandemic challenges but a new reality for our students in Texas classrooms. On average, Texas teachers earn 23.5% less than other college graduates, and 77% of Texas teachers feel they are not paid a living wage.

For Texas to keep a competitive workforce, we must invest in and enhance teachers’ total compensation packages. We support teacher retention through increased compensation and benefits packages of at least $15,000 annually.

We must also thoughtfully consider improvements to the quality of teacher hires. Texas has seen a sharp increase in uncertified teachers, nearly one-third of hires in the 2023-24 school year. While hiring unlicensed teachers may fill an immediate staffing need in classrooms, research shows it has several negative consequences, including decreased academic achievement and higher teacher turnover.

Invest in Education: Prioritize Public Dollars for Public Schools

Money matters in public education. Public dollars should stay in public schools that educate most of our school-aged population, some 5.5 million Texas kids. Public schools are uniquely equipped to provide an equal opportunity for every student to succeed. An increase in the basic allotment that funds our schools – which has not increased since 2019 – is critical, as is an automatic annual adjustment to the foundation for per-student funding to address inflation and the growing needs of our schools and students.

In addition to the basic allotment that funds our schools, the state saves billions from local home and business property value growth every legislative session, but state leaders do not reinvest these billions of dollars back into our local schools. So, while local taxes may rise to cover costs for public schools, the state contributes less money unless they adjust the funding formulas.

Fund Pre-K: Invest in Our Youngest Texans

High-quality, full-day pre-K programs produce immediate and lasting educational benefits, such as meeting third-grade reading and math standards. Texas should directly fund full-day pre-K, expand the Early Education Allotment to include eligible pre-K students (currently kindergarten through third grade), increase access to pre-K by raising the income eligibility cap, and extend pre-K eligibility to the children of public school teachers.

More Than One Test on One Day: Measure What Matters

Texas public schools do more than prepare students for a single test on a single day, yet that’s the current measurement for public school ratings, especially in elementary and middle school. It’s time we expanded the scope of Texas’ A-F accountability ratings system to include factors beyond STAAR test scores. The current STAAR test does little to help inform instruction throughout the school year, so a redesigned formative assessment should be a priority for our state.

Investment in Texas public schools, students, and teachers is crucial. The Texas Legislature alone has the power to adjust school funding to meet the demands of our growing population, support our highly diversified economy and workforce, and provide local communities and families with world-class public schools and teachers.

^{Raise Your Hand Texas supports public policy solutions that invest in Texas’ 5.5 million public school students.}