Strong academic foundations are necessary to ensure long-term success for Texas students. Right now, only 46% of Texas third graders are reading at grade level, and just 40% are on track in math. Once students fall behind, catching up becomes increasingly difficult.
If a child isn’t on grade level by third grade, their odds of catching up are slim. Too many children are missing the strong foundations in reading and math they need for long-term success.
That’s why lawmakers passed key legislation this year to strengthen student success by investing in great teachers, high-quality instruction and improved learning outcomes.
6 ways Texas builds on strong academic foundations
1.Texas takes steps to strengthen early literacy and numeracy
HB 2 by Rep. Buckley & Sen. Creighton
Lawmakers made efforts to enhance early literacy and numeracy by providing teachers with tools to identify students struggling earlier, investing in interventions and teacher training and the scaling of effective programs like the Additional Day School Year program.
2.Texas increases teacher pay. For some, its much more.
HB 2 cont.
The Legislature passed to provide across-the-board pay raises for experienced teachers and expand the Teacher Incentive Allotment to ensure we keep our most effective teachers in the classroom and give them a path to a six-figure salary.
3.Strong academic foundations means incentivizing better teacher training
HB 2 cont.
Texas is incentivizing teachers to use high-quality teacher preparation pathways prior to entering the classroom. This bill also provides investments in the mentorship program allotment, grow-your-own programs, teacher residency programs and one-time incentives to help districts get their existing teachers certified.
4.The state prioritizes funds for high-quality instructional materials
HB 100 by Rep. Leo-Wilson & Sen. Middleton
Texas will ensure districts are not using public funds on low quality curriculum with poor student outcomes and a lack of alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.
5.Lawmakers want to hire SBOE staff
HB 3627 by Rep. Tepper & Sen. Sparks
Texas will allow the State Board of Education to hire staff to ensure they are able to implement the curricular reforms from previous sessions and effectively review and approve high-quality curriculum.
6.Texas eases out-of-state teacher hiring and certification
HB 178 by Rep. Cunningham & Sen. Campbell
Texas will allow the State Board of Education to hire staff to ensure they are able to implement the curricular reforms from previous sessions and effectively review and approve high-quality curriculum.
