A Texas Senate committee passed a $4 billion plan to increase teacher salaries on Thursday with bipartisan support.
Senate Bill 26 would provide raises of $5,000 to $10,000 for teachers in smaller districts, depending on years of experience. Teachers in larger districts would see increases of $2,500 to $5,500. The bill also includes additional compensation for high-performing educators.
Sen. Brandon Creighton, the bill’s author, noted that Texas ranks 15th in the nation for starting teacher salaries but falls to 40th for experienced educators. The legislation aims to improve teacher retention and support educators across the state.