The Texas Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 26 on Wednesday, a bill aimed at increasing teacher salaries statewide. The bill would provide yearly raises for teachers with three or more years of experience, with additional raises for those with five or more years. It would also expand a state program that links instructor raises to student success and offers free pre-K for educators’ children.
The bill, which is now heading to the Texas House of Representatives for consideration, has received strong bipartisan support. If approved by the House, it would lead to a significant increase in teacher pay, fulfilling one of Governor Greg Abbott’s key priorities for the legislative session.
According to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, SB 26 would result in raises of between $2,500 and $5,500 for experienced teachers in urban and suburban districts, with raises of up to $10,000 for teachers in rural areas. The bill also aims to close the pay gap between different types of teachers and expand the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program to give more teachers the opportunity to earn six-figure salaries.
In a statement following the bill’s passage, Lt. Gov. Patrick praised Sen. Creighton for his work on SB 26 and thanked the entire Senate for their commitment to supporting teachers, who play a crucial role in shaping Texas’ future.
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