Teacher-driven commission to improve Texas public education

Gov. Greg Abbott is creating a new commission to inform new education policy discussions.

The Texas Classroom Commission will be made up of current and retired teachers and tasked with developing recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session for classroom instruction, teacher support and educational outcomes, according to a news release.

“Texas teachers know what their students need to succeed," Abbott said in a statement announcing the new commission this week. “The Texas Classroom Commission will bring together exemplary public school educators to identify innovative solutions that help students succeed, improve the learning environment in classrooms, and strengthen our schools."

Former classroom teacher Courtney Boswell MacDonald of Kerrville, who currently chairs the State Board for Educator Certification, will lead the Texas Classroom Commission. 

Click here to read more.

To apply for this commission, follow this link, download the application form, and submit it either by mail or email. The application guide has some notes on how to complete and submit the form. As a warning, the form has a lot of detailed questions.

If you decide to submit an application, be sure to write "Texas Classroom Commission" for question three. 

Previous task force

The commission will play a role similar to that of the Teacher Vacancy Task Force, which was created in 2022 to provide input to lawmakers ahead of the 2023 session. 

The task force’s recommendations in February 2023 included funding for significant teacher pay raises; enhancing total compensation for educators by reducing the cost of healthcare; providing incentives and support for hard-to-fill positions, such as special education and bilingual education; improving training and preparation for paraprofessionals and others seeking teaching certification; expanding mentorship and teacher leadership training opportunities; and providing access to high-quality instructional materials.

TCTA will monitor the new committee’s discussions and provide updates on its recommendations ahead of the 2027 session.