House Bill 2, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, is a sweeping school finance reform aimed at significantly increasing resources and support for Texas public schools.
To support implementation, the Texas Education Agency has released a series of guidance documents and timelines detailing key dates and requirements. These include updates on certification incentives for uncertified teachers and changes to grievance policies.
The bill introduces major investments across multiple areas of education, including teacher compensation, early literacy, and school funding formulas.
One of the central components of HB 2 is the Teacher Retention Allotment and Support Staff Retention Allotment, which allocates funds to help districts retain qualified personnel. The bill also includes provisions for waiving and reimbursing certification fees for teacher candidates, making entry into the profession more accessible. Additionally, HB 2 modifies the Foundation School Program funding formulas and updates the Teacher Incentive Allotment, allowing districts to reward high-performing educators more effectively.
HB 2 also addresses early literacy and numeracy, mandating the use of diagnostic instruments and dyslexia screenings for students in grades PK–2. It also introduces stipend requirements for educators participating in Reading Academies and Mathematics Achievement Academies. For more, visit TEA’s website here: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/government-relations-and-legal/government-relations/house-bill-2.
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