Will HB 2 Address the Real Needs of Texas Teachers?

HB 2 proposes raising the per-student allotment by $220 to $6,360 per year, but teachers argue it’s insufficient, failing to address the real financial challenges faced by school districts. Many argue that the funding boost does not keep pace with inflation, rising operational costs, and the growing needs.

“The pay teachers receive demonstrates the level of respect afforded to our children,” said Megan Holden, a 10th grade English teacher at an Austin-area high school, to The Dallas Morning News. “They are getting the message that Texas doesn’t value them or their future.”

Teachers in small districts (under 5,000 students) could receive $10,000 raises, while those in larger districts would get $5,500 if they have more than five years of experience. However, many educators state that the proposed raises are still inadequate, failing to account for inflation and the rising cost of living. 

Teachers in smaller districts (those with fewer than 5,000 students) could receive a $10,000 raise, while those in larger districts would get $5,500 if they have more than five years of experience. However, many educators argue that these proposed raises are insufficient, especially considering inflation and the rising cost of living.

To put things into perspective, here’s a breakdown of median incomes and living costs in major Texas cities, as reported by Banking Rates:

Austin

• Median income: $86,556
• Annual cost of living for homeowner: $63,603
• Surplus income for median middle-class homeowner: $11,546
• Annual cost of living for renter: $45,660
• Surplus income for median middle-class renter: $29,489

Dallas

• Median income: $63,985
• Annual cost of living for homeowner: $48,372
• Surplus income for median middle-class homeowner: $26,777
• Annual cost of living for renter: $45,960
• Surplus income for median middle-class renter: $29,189

Arlington

• Median income: $71,736
• Annual cost of living for homeowner: $47,661
• Surplus income for median middle-class homeowner: $27,488
• Annual cost of living for renter: $46,685
• Surplus income for median middle-class renter: $28,464

Fort Worth

• Median income: $72,726
• Annual cost of living for homeowner: $46,582
• Surplus income for median middle-class homeowner: $28,567
• Annual cost of living for renter: $46,602
• Surplus income for median middle-class renter: $28,547

Houston

• Median income: $60,440
• Annual cost of living for homeowner: $44,308
• Surplus income for median middle-class homeowner: $30,841
• Annual cost of living for renter: $44,848
• Surplus income for median middle-class renter: $30,301

San Antonio

• Median income: $59,593
• Annual cost of living for homeowner: $41,493
• Surplus income for median middle-class homeowner: $33,656
• Annual cost of living for renter: $40,985
• Surplus income for median middle-class renter: $34,164

El Paso

• Median income: $55,710
• Annual cost of living for homeowner: $38,645
• Surplus income for median middle-class homeowner: $36,504
• Annual cost of living for renter: $41,924
• Surplus income for median middle-class renter: $33,225

Given the cost of living in these cities, is a $10,000 raise truly enough to keep pace with the financial pressures teachers are facing? The disparity between income and living expenses suggests that while raises are a step in the right direction, they may not be enough to address the broader challenges teachers encounter.

On the other hand, the issue of teacher certification is a critical concern in Texas. Currently, 10% of public school teachers in the state are uncertified, with nearly half of new hires last year lacking certification. According to the Texas Education Agency, “Texas public schools hire approximately 50,000 teachers annually, with about one-third being rehires of experienced educators. Of the estimated 30,000 new hires each year, an increasing number are uncertified.” To address this, HB 2 proposes a ban on uncertified teachers instructing core subjects such as math, reading, and science. The bill also includes provisions to incentivize certification by offering school districts $1,000 for every uncertified teacher who successfully obtains certification within a year.

HB 2 is part of a broader Republican-backed initiative known as the “Texas two-step” plan, which ties school funding increases to a controversial voucher program. Critics argue that this linkage undermines public education funding, diverting resources away from traditional public schools. Additionally, HB 2 proposes replacing the current STAAR testing system with a different standardized assessment, aiming to address long-standing concerns over the effectiveness of standardized testing in Texas schools.

The House Public Education Committee is set to vote on HB 2 on March 18. If approved, the bill will move forward for consideration by the full Texas House.