TCTA members who need help with complex or controversial new laws should call the TCTA Legal Department at 888-879-8282 to speak confidentially with a staff attorney.
Public schools got an $8.5 billion boost in funding during the 2025 legislative session via House Bill 2. The massive bill raises salaries, updates the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, contains provisions focused on teacher preparation and professional development and more. It also adds $1.3 billion for basic operational costs, intended to free up district funds for other purposes.
HB 2 boosts special education funding by $850 million, and a companion bill, SB 568, changes the funding formula to an “intensity of services” model. This will mean schools receive funds based on the services special education students need rather than on how many special education students are served. HB 2 also waives initial exam fees for those seeking special education certification.
Over time, the bill will prohibit districts of innovation from exempting themselves from teacher certification and related parent notification requirements, and prohibit any district from employing a teacher of record for a foundation curriculum course who does not hold an appropriate certificate or permit.
HB 6 increases the ability of teachers and administrators to remove students from class and requires the teacher’s consent or a written return to class plan for a student to return. It also requires parents to be notified if their child is removed from class. Within three days of a removal, a conference must take place with administration, the parent/guardian, and the student; the removing teacher must be provided an opportunity to participate.
Be aware: Nearly 1,000 Texas districts now operate as districts of innovation, exempting themselves from various state laws. TCTA members should follow all local policies and consult with a TCTA attorney by calling 888-879-8282 to discuss how the laws referenced in the Survival Guide may apply in a given situation.
A combination of bills may lead to a sharp increase in the number of teachers being reported to state officials in the 2025-26 school year, potentially leading to certification sanctions and/or placement on the state’s Do Not Hire list. These reports often must be made despite a lack of evidence regarding allegations made against an educator.
Educator misconduct changes: SB 571 strengthens reporting requirements regarding educator misconduct (primarily focused on reporting by administrators).
Child abuse reporting: HB 4623 removes immunity from liability for acts or omissions regarding sexual misconduct by an employee against a student and failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The mandatory reporting window is now 24 hours instead of 48 hours.
Two bills passed in 2025 authorize an increased role of religion in public schools. SB 10 requires all public and secondary schools to display a specific copy of the Ten Commandments in a conspicuous place in each classroom, if such displays are donated to or purchased by the school district. Three lawsuits have been filed challenging the constitutionality of SB 10.
SB 11 requires each school district to take a record vote on establishing a period for prayer and reading religious text during each school day. If approved by the board, students must have a consent form signed by a parent to participate, and employees can also only participate by providing their own written consent.
SB 12 is described as a “parents’ rights” bill but has many implications for schools, educators and students. Among its provisions are banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices, which can include school activities or programs that refer to race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation; prohibiting school employees from assisting students with “social transitioning,” including using names or pronouns that conflict with the student’s biological sex at birth; prohibitions on school clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and stronger parent consent requirements in areas such as human sexuality instruction and student mental, emotional or physical health.
No cellphones in school: HB 1481 generally prohibits the use of personal communication devices by students during the school day. It allows school districts and charters some flexibility in enforcing this provision and allows students who need such a device for their IEP or for health reasons to continue using their devices for that purpose.
Library books: SB 13 authorizes school districts to create a “library advisory council” to oversee the procurement of new books; if parents of at least 10% of students or 50 or more parents (whichever is fewer) petition for such an advisory council, the district must create one. The school board must approve or reject all library materials procured for or donated to the district.
The bill expands the definition of what constitutes harmful material and allows parents to block their child’s access to specific material they find inappropriate. It also requires the district to include information about all books that a student can access — including in classroom libraries — in an online portal for parents.
Bathroom bill: SB 8 restricts bathroom use in government buildings and public schools to individuals based on their sex assigned at birth starting Dec. 4, 2025.
HB 8 repeals the STAAR test, replacing it with three shorter exams taken throughout the year starting with the 2027-28 school year. It also adjusts the A-F accountability system that grades campuses and districts.
The Texas Education Agency is working on the new tests and rules and TCTA will provide updates on that process as it develops during the next couple of years.
SB 2 establishes a statewide school voucher program beginning in the 2026-27 school year that will provide money for families to pay for private school tuition, homeschool materials, private tutoring, or any other approved educational expenditure.
Families can receive over $10,000 per child to cover private school tuition and other associated costs while homeschooling families can receive up to $2,000. Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000. The program is capped at $1 billion in the first biennium but has no such spending limit after that point.
For more information on legislation that passed during the 2025 sessions, click here, and view TCTA’s legislative accomplishments. You also can watch our Tuesdays with TCTA videos that review several new laws and sign up for future sessions.
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