AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- With just days left in a legislative special session aimed at passing a school choice plan, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday added additional items to the agenda lawmakers can work on in an effort to bring legislation across the finish line.
Abbott added school funding, including teacher pay raises, to the agenda, along with school safety and special education.
According to a release from Abbott's office, the plan is a compromise worked out with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan.
Under the latest plan, those participating in the state's Education Savings Account program would be eligible for up to $10,400 per student per year.
The proposal would also phase out the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test, in favor of an improved assessment system.
Students participating in the ESA program will have the option of taking a norm-referenced test or the STAAR test "to ensure the program achieves good educational outcomes."
Lawmakers have less than a week to push the legislation through both chambers and get it to Abbott's desk. The current special session ends on Nov. 7.
