AUSTIN (Nexstar) — For the first time since Gov. Greg Abbott declared raising teacher pay an emergency item, the Senate laid out exactly what new teacher pay guidelines would look like.
The bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R – Montgomery, said 80% of the new funding for school districts to pay teachers will come in the form of across-the-board raises — with 20% dedicated towards bonuses — specifically expanding the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. Creighton said the program, which gives teachers tiered raises for exemplary work, has been such a success that enrollment has doubled since 2023.
“In every well-run business enterprise, a well-earned bonus improves morale, improves retention, improves productivity,” State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R – Harris, said.
In addition to expanding the TIA program, Creighton’s bill would create incentives for teacher retention, giving school districts funds for each teacher who has at least three years of experience, and even more money for each teacher with at least five years of experience. For rural districts with fewer than 5,000 students, the allotment is even bigger.
“Texas ranks about 15th in the nation for starting salaries for our teacher, but ranks 40th for our experienced teachers,” Creighton said. “We all know at that 60-month mark that we have many teachers surveyed that are making that decision whether or not they feel safe, they have a reasonable learning environment in their classroom… and compensation.”
In addition to increased pay for long-term teachers and expansion of the TIA program, Creighton’s bill would grant free preschool services for the children of public school teachers.
