Education

SB 8 establishes a new statewide "instructionally supportive assessment program" for Texas public schools, requiring the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to create assessments focused on student growth rather than punitive measures. It mandates that school districts provide parents with one-click access to their child’s test results through a secure parent portal, meeting specific security and privacy standards. The bill also requires districts to adopt local accountability plans with TEA grants and ensures transparency in school performance ratings and interventions. Directly affecting parents, school districts, and the TEA, the law aims to shift accountability toward supporting student learning through accessible data and updated assessment practices.

This bill would have created the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, a 13-member body tasked with developing recommendations to improve teacher retention and job satisfaction across Texas public schools. The commission would be appointed with specific representation: five members by the governor (including at least three current or former teachers with 10+ years experience), four by the lieutenant governor, and four by the speaker of the house, with geographic diversity as a consideration. Members would not receive salary but could be reimbursed for expenses, and the commission could hire staff and legal counsel to carry out its work. The bill passed the legislature but was vetoed by the governor on June 22, 2025, so it did not become law.

HB 2853 allows The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to charge students a fee for its student union building, with specific limits: up to $30 per student per regular semester or long summer session, and $15 for shorter summer sessions. The bill requires that annual fee increases cannot exceed 10% over the prior year's amount unless approved by a majority of students in a vote. These fees are in addition to other existing student fees and apply starting with the 2026 spring semester. The bill directly affects UTEP students who pay the fee and governs how the university can adjust it.

HB 3372 prohibits school district administrators (excluding classroom teachers) from receiving financial benefits for personal services provided to specific entities, including businesses that work with their school district, curriculum service providers, or other school districts. The law directly affects administrators with significant operational duties, such as those managing campuses or programs, by banning conflicts of interest tied to district business relationships. Violations carry a $10,000 civil penalty per incident, and the bill took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 22, 2025. This legislation aims to prevent administrators from profiting from their official positions within the education system.

HB 4236 creates a temporary six-member study group (three Senate members, three House members) to examine how the state auditor’s school district property valuation study impacts state education funding. The group must hold one public meeting to assess the study’s current use in distributing funds and recommend better ways to verify valuations of complex properties. It can request data from the state auditor, school agencies, and local property assessors. The study group must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by December 1, 2026, and will dissolve by January 1, 2027. This bill does not change funding formulas but aims to improve how property valuations are evaluated for school finance purposes.