Education dominates as Texas legislature closes 89th Legislative Session

As the 89th Legislative Session came to a close, Texas lawmakers left an indelible mark on the state’s education system, pushing through a wide range of consequential legislation. From sweeping funding reforms to Governor Greg Abbott’s long-sought school choice initiative, education was at the heart of the Capitol’s most intense negotiations.

School Choice Victory for Governor Abbott

The signature win for Governor Abbott came with the passage of Senate Bill 2, a $1 billion Education Savings Account (ESA) program that allows public dollars to follow students to private or home schools. The ESA plan had been a cornerstone of Abbott’s legislative agenda for years, culminating in a high-profile campaign effort to unseat anti-school choice legislators during the 2024 primaries and runoffs.

“The day has arrived that empowers parents to choose the school that is best for their child,” Abbott proclaimed during a celebratory bill signing ceremony attended by nearly 1,400 supporters.

Under the ESA program, eligible families will receive taxpayer-funded accounts to pay for private school tuition, educational materials, and other approved expenses. Proponents, including conservative lawmakers and school choice advocacy groups, argue the measure increases parental control and educational opportunity. Critics warn it may siphon critical funds from already under-resourced public schools.

Major Boost in Public Education Funding

Education funding also took center stage with House Bill 2, an $8.5 billion public school investment package that emerged after weeks of closed-door negotiations. Billed as the second half of the “Texas Two Step” by House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), HB 2 aims to strengthen public education even as the ESA program rolls out.

The deal includes:

An increase to the basic per-student funding allotment,

The creation of a new “ABC” allotment for essential campus operating costs,

Expanded teacher designation bonuses,

Hundreds of millions in funding for teacher and staff pay raises, and

New allocations for special education programs.

“The amended legislation reflects constructive input from both chambers and parties,” Burrows said. “It’s a shared commitment to delivering historic school funding and teacher pay raises this session.”

Controversial Culture Bills Pass

In addition to financial reforms, lawmakers passed several culture-focused education bills that stirred debate statewide.

Senate Bill 10 mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, while SB 11 requires districts to hold a vote on whether to institute formal prayer time for students — both bills now await Gov. Abbott’s signature.

Meanwhile, SB 24, authored by Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), will overhaul K-12 social studies standards by requiring instruction on “the history, tactics, and consequences of communism.” Supporters argue it strengthens civic education, while critics call it ideologically driven.

Efforts to eliminate the controversial State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing regime fell short. While initially gaining traction, a bill to replace STAAR collapsed in the final hours in conference committee.

Classroom Policy Reforms Take Hold

Lawmakers also responded to calls from educators for more classroom support.

House Bill 6, dubbed the “Teacher Bill of Rights,” aims to give teachers greater authority in maintaining classroom discipline. Authored by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano), the bill allows educators broader discretion to remove disruptive students and sets clearer standards for behavioral intervention.

Another bill likely to have a direct impact in classrooms is HB 1481, championed by freshman Rep. Caroline Fairly (R-Amarillo). It prohibits the use of personal communication devices — including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches — during class hours. The move is intended to reduce distractions and boost academic focus.

A New Chapter for Texas Education

With more than 5.5 million students and over 384,000 teachers in the Texas public school system, the coming months will see rapid implementation of these far-reaching changes.

Supporters of the new laws argue they strike a balance between parent empowerment, teacher support, and public school funding. Opponents warn that ideological bills and school choice expansion could undermine public education's foundational role.

As the state moves forward, all eyes will be on how local districts interpret and implement these sweeping changes — and how they’ll shape the future of Texas classrooms.