In a major step toward increasing teacher salaries, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 26 with a unanimous vote on Wednesday afternoon. The legislation, which aims to provide significant pay raises for teachers across the state, will now move to the Texas House of Representatives for further consideration.
If passed by the House, SB 26 would fulfill one of Governor Greg Abbott’s seven emergency priorities for the 89th Legislative Session—raising teacher salaries to an all-time high. This marks a pivotal moment for Texas educators, who have long advocated for better compensation amid rising inflation and ongoing teacher shortages.
How the Funding Will Work
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), outlined the distribution of funds under the proposed legislation:
80% of the additional funding will go directly toward across-the-board teacher salary increases.
20% will be allocated to the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, which has seen its enrollment double in the last two years.
Additionally, rural school districts—those with fewer than 5,000 students—will receive extra funding to help them stay competitive in teacher recruitment and retention.
“If we want to attract and maintain the best educators, we need Texas to be the best place to teach,” Creighton stated on the Senate floor.
Boosting Teacher Retention
Beyond immediate pay raises, SB 26 includes new incentives designed to keep experienced teachers in the classroom. School districts will receive additional funds for every teacher who stays in the system for:
Three years, with an initial retention bonus.
Five years, with an even larger financial incentive.
“This will ensure that they don’t just start strong,” Creighton said, “but they stay strong throughout their career.”
Additional Support for Teachers
The bill also includes new benefits aimed at supporting Texas teachers, including:
Free Pre-K for the children of public school teachers, easing childcare costs for educators.
Liability insurance for teachers accused of misconduct by a third party (excluding law enforcement), ensuring legal protection for educators while they perform their duties.
The Bigger Picture: A Historic Pay Increase
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick emphasized the financial impact of the bill, stating that an average teacher with five or more years of experience would see their salary increase to $69,000, compared to $54,000 in 2019.
However, adjusted for inflation, $54,000 in January 2019 is equivalent to $68,150 in January 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This suggests that while the proposed pay raise would outpace inflation slightly, it also primarily works to restore teachers' purchasing power after years of rising costs.
What Comes Next?
As SB 26 moves to the Texas House, education advocates, lawmakers, and school districts will closely watch how the legislation progresses. Meanwhile, Senator Creighton has signaled that more reforms are coming, announcing plans to introduce another bill aimed at addressing the biggest challenges teachers face, calling it the next step in his “Teacher Bill of Rights.”
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