TCTA testifies on teacher raises at Senate Education Committee hearing

TCTA testified at a meeting of the Senate K-16 Education Committee on Thursday, Feb. 20, regarding SB 26, a bill that would provide far-reaching pay raises to Texas teachers, among other things.

Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), chairman of the committee and the bill’s author, laid out the bill by describing its provisions in some detail. He began by assuring teachers that this bill is one of many aimed at supporting teachers’ rights and increasing their benefits. He mentioned that a school discipline bill is among the other teacher-related bills in the pipeline.

With nearly a $5 billion price tag, he said around 80% of the budgeted amount will fully fund ongoing teacher pay raises and the other 20% will be used to expand the Teacher Incentive Allotment program. Currently, TIA aims at providing performance bonuses for around 30% of teachers in participating districts (though it has not come near that goal); SB 26 would increase the target to 50%. A last-minute committee substitute removes current provisions in law that provide a “recognized” TIA designation for National Board-certified teachers (NBCT).

SB 26 would also provide teachers state-supported liability insurance, for a fee (though the state would subsidize part of the cost). TCTA members receive comprehensive professional liability insurance coverage as part of their member benefits. 

Other senators on the committee expressed gratitude for the bill, with some asking clarifying questions and others suggesting minor changes.

When laying out a bill, the author typically invites a panel to testify in support of the bill, and this time was no different. The invited panel mostly focused on how they perceived TIA to be an effective way to raise teacher pay and motivate teachers in the classroom. 

TCTA’s Director of Governmental Relations, Pamela McPeters, testified neutrally on SB 26, thanking Creighton for providing direct teacher pay raises, but expressed concern about eliminating an existing provision that a portion of increases to the basic allotment be used to increase compensation for teachers and other professional staff and support personnel. She also expressed concerns about the TIA expansion, the loss of the automatic NBCT designation, and other concerning provisions in the bill. Creighton thanked TCTA for providing constructive feedback in advance of the hearing and said he looks forward to working together as SB 26 develops further.

The bill was unanimously voted out of the committee and will be debated by the full Senate next week. Creighton said they would almost certainly amend SB 26 on the floor to address concerns presented in committee.

TCTA will continue to work closely with Sen. Creighton to improve the bill for Texas teachers.