Texas is making a bold move to address its educational challenges, including rising teacher shortages and disparities in compensation. Governor Greg Abbott recently announced a historic proposal to increase public school funding by $4.85 billion. The plan focuses on increasing teacher pay, improving special education services, expanding career training, and addressing the state’s stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This ambitious budget comes as Texas faces a critical shortage of educators, with 13% of teachers leaving their positions in 2023.
Governor Abbott’s $4.85 billion proposal for education
Governor Abbott’s budget proposal targets multiple areas in need of reform. One of the primary goals is to address Texas’ educator compensation, which has been a major factor contributing to teacher shortages. Under the proposal, teachers in urban areas will receive a $4,000 salary increase, while rural teachers will see an even higher increase of $10,000. Abbott aims to make these raises a reality by allocating significant resources to public schools, aiming to close the gap between urban and rural educator salaries.
This funding proposal comes in addition to a $7 billion boost that was originally promised during the last legislative session, but held up due to debates over school voucher programs. The Governor’s plan is designed to make Texas a leader in educator compensation, with teacher pay currently ranking 30th in the nation. As reported by the Associated Press, Abbott stressed the importance of competitive pay to attract and retain the best educators for Texas’ 5.5 million students.
Pay raises for teachers: Urban vs. rural
The proposed salary increases are not just about increasing the overall pay for teachers but also addressing the geographic disparities that exist within the state. Abbott’s plan focuses heavily on teachers in rural areas, who often face lower salaries and fewer resources compared to their urban counterparts. Teachers in rural districts would see a substantial $10,000 raise, which Abbott believes will help bridge the compensation gap between urban and rural schools.
These increases would be in addition to the Teacher Incentive Allotment, a program Abbott wants to expand, where teachers are rewarded for strong classroom performance. By linking raises to performance, Abbott hopes to incentivize high-quality teaching across Texas.
Special education reform: Addressing funding inequities
A significant part of Abbott’s proposal is aimed at reforming special education funding. Texas’ current funding model allocates money based on the setting in which a student with disabilities is placed, rather than the specific services they require. This has led to significant disparities in resources for students with special needs.
Abbott has called for a complete overhaul of this funding system, which will more accurately reflect the varying needs of students with disabilities. Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, introduced legislation to change the funding model, emphasizing that students with disabilities must receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), as outlined by federal law. By addressing the inequities in the current system, the Governor hopes to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the resources and services they need.
Career training: Preparing students for high-demand jobs
Career and technical education (CTE) programs are another key focus of Abbott’s plan. The Governor has long championed career training for high school students, particularly for fields in which Texas is seeing a significant labor shortage, such as welding, plumbing, and carpentry. Abbott’s proposal includes funding for programs that will allow students to earn high school diplomas while also obtaining industry-recognized certifications, equipping them with skills that are in high demand in the workforce.
Abbott has called for more investment in the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program, which supports schools in purchasing equipment for CTE programs. He also aims to expand opportunities for rural districts to increase career training aligned with regional workforce needs. As part of these efforts, Abbott hopes to ensure that Texas students are prepared for well-paying jobs immediately after graduation.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI): Extending the ban to K-12 schools
Another critical element of Abbott’s plan is addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in public education. In his State of the State address, Abbott suggested extending Texas’ existing DEI ban, which currently applies to public universities, to K-12 public schools. Under this law, universities are prohibited from creating diversity offices or requiring DEI training for staff or students.
While this proposal has generated controversy, Abbott has argued that schools should focus on education, not “indoctrination.” There is little clarity on how the law would apply to K-12 schools, but it would likely impact how schools approach diversity initiatives and support for underrepresented student groups. This is part of a broader Republican push to limit the scope of DEI programs in state institutions.
Looking ahead: Will the funding be enough?
While the proposed $4.85 billion increase is a substantial step toward addressing Texas’ educational challenges, critics have questioned whether it will be sufficient to meet the state’s needs. Advocates for special education, teacher training, and mental health services argue that Texas’ public schools face deep-rooted issues that require even more funding and attention.
With the 2025 legislative session set to end on June 2, lawmakers will need to finalize the specifics of the budget and decide whether to include controversial measures such as school vouchers. If Abbott’s proposal passes, it could mark a turning point for Texas public education, but its success will depend on continued negotiations and bipartisan support.
As reported by the Associated Press, the coming months will be critical in shaping the future of Texas education. Governor Abbott’s ambitious reform package has the potential to provide much-needed relief for students, teachers, and families across the state, but its implementation will require careful consideration and collaboration among lawmakers.