Sweeping and sudden funding changes this year put two revered after-school programs for low-income Texans and a rural teacher training initiative at risk of closure.
school finance
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas’ public ed funding boost brings some relief but erodes districts’ independence, school leaders say
A law providing $8.5 billion in new funding for Texas public schools lacks the spending flexibility that previously let districts address their campuses’ needs as they saw fit.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Gov. Greg Abbott signs $8.5 billion public education funding plan into law. Here’s how it works.
The spending package will give schools more money for staff pay raises, operational expenses, special education and more.
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2025 Legislative Recap
From vouchers to a cellphone ban, this year’s lawmaking session brought transformative changes to Texas schools
An agenda driven by conservative priorities, schools’ financial duress and teacher needs led to an $8.5 billion boost, new discipline rules, more Christianity in classrooms and a DEI ban.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant funding
Gov. Greg Abbott has already said he intends to sign the bill, which will give schools funding for salary increases, special education, teacher preparation and operational costs.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding deal
The deal appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools, with money earmarked for teacher pay and overhead costs.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Senate panel approves $8 billion school funding plan as it seeks middle ground with House
The proposal would heavily invest in teacher pay and special education. It includes a modest $55 increase to schools’ base per-student funding, significantly lower than what the House had sought.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Clock is ticking for Texas lawmakers to settle differences on $8 billion public school funding package
Senators will hold a hearing Thursday on their counterproposal to the House’s school funding bill. House Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the upper chamber for not moving faster to advance the legislation.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Lawmakers want to expand Texas’ teacher pay raise program. Many educators will still be left out.
The Teacher Incentive Allotment gives raises to teachers based on performance. But it leaves out many educators and school staff who contribute to students’ success.
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Texas Legislature 2025
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