On February 20, 2025, Policy Advisor Gabe Grantham testified before the Senate Committee on Education K-16 on Senate Bill 26, which aims to improve the retention of the teacher workforce through targeted investments in teacher compensation and benefits. The following is a written version of his testimony.
Chairman Creighton, Vice Chair Campbell, and members of the Senate Education Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate Bill 26. My name is Gabe Grantham and I am the Public Education Policy Advisor at Texas 2036. We thank you for your commitment to Texas teachers and in turn, Texas students.
We know that teachers are the single most important in-school factor in a child’s education. Yet, Texas faces a growing crisis in the retention and preparation of highly skilled and prepared teachers. This year, more than half of new teachers statewide – and 75% in rural districts – entered the classroom without certification or formal preparation. Additionally, we have an above 12% attrition rate. The data is clear: students taught by uncertified teachers lose up to four months of learning in math and six months in reading, putting them at a disadvantage both nationally and in their future careers.
SB 26 provides a thoughtful response to this challenge. It builds upon the recommendations of the Teacher Vacancy Task Force by making strategic investments in teacher compensation. The new Teacher Retention Allotment will ensure that experienced teachers—those with three to five years in the classroom, and especially those with more than five years—see meaningful salary increases. Keeping these teachers that are experienced and “hitting their stride” in the classroom will help turn the tide on over reliance on new, and often unprepared teachers. This bill will also work to close the pay gaps that exist between smaller rural and larger suburban districts. This is an essential step in keeping highly qualified teachers in the profession.
Furthermore, the expansion of the Teacher Incentive Allotment will enhance district-led strategic compensation programs, allowing top-performing educators to earn between $3,000 and $32,000 annually in additional pay and give teachers a path to earning 6 figures. While nearly half of Texas school districts, including over 300 rural districts, are currently participating in TIA, this bill provides support to increase that number and ensure every teacher has the opportunity to participate in the program. By strengthening the TIA, SB 26 will expand access and provide additional support to schools with limited capacity, ensuring that more teachers benefit from these incentives.
Beyond compensation, SB 26 also takes practical steps to support teachers by extending Pre-K eligibility to the children of classroom teachers. This targeted benefit acknowledges the financial and logistical burdens many educators face and provides another reason for them to stay in the profession.
At a time when Texas students urgently need access to well-prepared, experienced teachers, SB 26 is a necessary and forward-thinking solution. By prioritizing both retention and compensation, this bill helps ensure that our state remains competitive and that our students receive the quality education they deserve.
I appreciate the committee’s leadership in addressing these critical issues, and I urge you to support SB 26. Thank you for your time, and I am happy to answer any questions.