EdTrust at the Texas Legislature
January 14, 2025 by EdTrust 
January 14, 2025 by EdTrust
EdTrust in Texas is driven by a bold vision: a future where every Texas child has the freedom to chase their dreams in classrooms that are safe, supportive, and led by skilled educators from diverse backgrounds. We imagine public schools that are well-resourced and accountable to the communities they serve—where parents and schools work together to empower students to achieve their full potential through college or career pathways that open doors to economic opportunity and strengthen Texas’ workforce. To bring this vision to life, we partner with trusted allies across the state, amplifying the voices of students, educators, and families —especially those often excluded from the policymaking process. We evaluate every policy, practice, and dollar through one unifying lens: what is best for students.
The 89th Texas Legislative Session (2025)
During the 89th Texas Legislative Session (2025), EdTrust in Texas will advocate for the following policy priorities.
For each of these priorities, here is a selection of our collective advocacy:
Invest in Proven Solutions to Improve Student Outcomes
- Expand the Early Education Allotment to include PreK students and provide schools with more resources to build strong academic foundations prior to 3rd grade.
- Increase the Compensatory Education Allotment and remove barriers for schools to participate in the Additional Days School Year (ADSY) program to provide high-impact tutoring and more time to accelerate student learning and close widening gaps.
- Expand the Teacher Incentive Allotment to include additional educators, increase compensation levels, and support strategic staffing models to retain our best teachers and incentivize them to teach where students need them most.
Expand and Incentivize High-Quality Teacher Preparation
- Establish a teacher residency allotment to increase access to this hands-on certification pathway with proven impact on student outcomes and early career retention.
- Support seamless teacher apprenticeship pathways by integrating Grow Your Own programs, expanding the Mentor Program Allotment, and defining credentials that create clear progression points into the profession.
- Adjust salary schedules to clearly signal to candidates the value of rigorous preparation and early career persistence, while ensuring all teachers receive additional compensation.
- Waive teacher exam and certification fees to help reduce financial barriers to candidates seeking to complete their preparation.
Strengthen Early Foundations in Reading and Math
- Require regular screening, identification, and progress monitoring for K-3rd graders and the delivery of targeted, evidence-based intervention to struggling students.
- Increase access to high-quality instructional materials, professional development, and instructional coaches, with a focus on the state’s lowest-performing schools and those with the highest concentration of under-prepared teachers.
Equip Parents and Families with Reliable Information
- Require prompt notification of K-3 screening results to help parents understand their child’s reading and math progress, accompanied by effective, easy-to-use resources to support learning at home and at school.
- Eliminate the option for Districts of Innovation to waive parental notification for uncertified teachers and establish a searchable permit for parents to access certification status.
- Maintain the state’s system of summative annual assessments while continuing to pilot innovations with the potential to produce more timely and actionable information.
- Ensure A-F ratings are released and that the state’s accountability system remains focused on academic performance and rewards postsecondary outcomes.
- Define chronic absenteeism and require more frequent reporting of attendance-related data to drive engagement with disconnected students and families.
Improve Postsecondary Success for All Texans
- Ensure continued investment and implementation of House Bill 8 (88R), the state’s new outcomes-based funding formula for community colleges, to maximize postsecondary success for all students, especially high-need groups.
- Increase investment in state financial aid programs to improve affordability and completion for more Texas students from low-income backgrounds, especially those transferring from community colleges.
- Support parenting students by including them on the priority list for access to the Child Care Services program and ensuring their non-tuition costs are calculated accurately.
- Improve access, attainment and reentry success for incarcerated students by transferring administration and management of postsecondary programming to Windham School District. Ensure institutions receive assistance and clear criteria for program approval and that data systems are in place to monitor their performance.
88th Texas Legislative Interim Charges and Hearings (2024)
Texas House and Senate committees held interim hearings on several critically important education issues. At EdTrust in Texas, we focused on making sure every student — from early childhood through college and career — has the resources and support needed to thrive. To that end, we provided testimony on the alarming rise in uncertified teachers, strengthening foundational early literacy and numeracy skills, expanding access to advanced math, and increasing postsecondary completion through the state’s new community college finance system.
Testimony
Nov 2024
Sunset Hearing
Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development Hearing
Sept 2024
Isabel Torres
Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education – HB8
September 18, 2024
Senate Education Committee
Interim Charge #1: Reading Readiness
September 18, 2024
To: Senate Education Committee
RE: Interim Charge #2: Testing Reform
August 12, 2024
To: House Public Education Committee
Re: Interim Charge #1, Monitoring of SB 2124
Kristen Hengtgen for EdTrust
August 13, 2024
To: House Public Education Committee
Re: Interim Charge #4: Early Literacy and Numeracy Outcomes
Jonathan Feinstein
August 13, 2024
To: House Public Education Committee
Re: Interim Charge #3: Teacher Certification
Jonathan
August 12, 2024
To: House Public Education Committee
Re: Interim Charge #2: Education Savings Accounts
Jonathan
88th Texas Legislative Session (2023)
During the 88th Texas Legislative Session (2023), Ed Trust has been advocating for a number of policy priorities. For each of the priorities below, here is a selection of our collective advocacy:
Accelerate Student Learning
- Against HB 2615 – High School Graduation Requirements – 4/20/23: The Education Trust’s Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein testified before the Texas House Public Education Committee against House Bill 2615. Feinstein noted that we have a shared interest in making sure all Texas students graduate high school equipped to pursue college and career pathways that ensur e their economic mobility and meet our state’s rapidly evolving workforce demands. HB 2615 would lower the bar for high school graduation and sacrifice the academic rigor necessary for students to exit high school prepared to successfully enter the workforce and/or postsecondary education. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For SB 2124 – Accelerated Math – 4/12/23: The Education Trust signed onto this E3 Alliance testimony before the Texas Senate Education Committee in support of SB 2124. The bill would create a consistent, statewide policy to ensure high-performing students who score in the top 40% of our state standardized assessment (or a local measure that includes class score and/or demonstrated proficiency in classwork) proceed into accelerated math in 6th grade, setting them on the ideal path to take Algebra I in 8th grade and setting them on the best pathway for their high school years, into college, and the workforce. Read the testimony here.
- For HB 1416 – Accelerated Student Learning – 3/14/23: The Education Trust signed onto this Commit Partnership testimony in support of HB 1416 in the Texas House Public Education Committee. In light of the effects of COVID-19 on PreK-12 learning loss and best practices that exist to accelerate students’ learning, the bill would help get students back on track. We especially appreciate the focus on high-quality, targeted tutoring, which has shown to be especially effective. Read the testimony here.
Address Teacher Vacancies
- For HB 11 – Teacher Residencies – 4/4/23: Cecilia Herrera, a Texas bilingual teacher at De Zavala Elementary in Midland ISD, testified before the House Public Education Committee on April 4, 2023, in support of House Bill 11 (HB 11). Thanks to a partnership with the University of Texas Permian Basin, Herrera spent the previous year as a teacher resident at the school where she is now a teacher of record. Herrera discussed how her paid, yearlong residency provided her with valuable insights, tools, strategies, and teaching methods she could not have obtained through traditional student teaching. She believes HB 11 will allow more future educators to benefit from this high-quality preparation pathway. Read the testimony, and watch video here.
- On HB 100 – Teacher Compensation – 4/4/23: Feinstein testified before the House Public Education Committee on April 4, 2023, on House Bill 100 (HB 100) regarding proposed changes to the state’s teacher salary schedule based on certification status. He focused on data showing that teacher vacancy challenges in Texas are primarily driven by rising levels of attrition and calls for policymakers to send a clear signal to future educators that quality preparation pays- literally. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For SB 9 – Teacher Residencies – 3/22/23: Kailey Tate, a Texas 6th grade English Language Arts teacher at Wilson and Young Middle School in Odessa, testified before the Senate Education Committee on March 22, 2023, in support of Senate Bill 9 (SB 9). Ed Trust has been working with Tate to support her advocacy. She spent all the previous year as a teacher resident at the school where she is now a teacher of record, thanks to a partnership between the University of Texas Permian Basin and Ector County ISD. Tate discussed how her yearlong, paid residency prepared her with the tools to be a successful first-year teacher and career educator. She believes the Teacher Residency Partnership program and allotment should be a vital part of Texas’ long-term solution to teacher vacancies. See Kailey’s story. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
Build Trust with Parents & Families
- Children at Risk, The Education Trust in Texas submitted written comments on these three bills before the Texas House Youth Health and Safety Select Committee. Chronic absence has been a major challenge in Texas education, and we appreciate the focus on policy solutions. In the comments, we focus on the need for consistent, clear data to help monitor attendance going forward. Read the testimony here.
- For HB 2162 – Early Literacy – 3/21/23: Our community partner Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, Founder of Parent Shield Fort Worth, filed this testimony in support of HB 2162 before the Texas House Public Education Committee. The bill would help address the low numbers of students reading on grade level. Early literacy programs are one of the best policy solutions available. Read the testimony here.
Invest in Community College Access & Success
One of our top priorities this legislative session has been to invest in community college access and success. House Bill 8, authored by Texas State Representative Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston), Chair of the House Appropriations Article III Subcommittee, along with a contingency rider in the base budget, would increase funding and enhance affordability and success for community college students across Texas. Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), Chair of the Senate Education Committee, authored companion bill SB 2539. Both proposals are based on the final recommendations of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance and will bolster community colleges as Texas faces a growing skilled workforce shortage with nearly one million job openings unfilled as of November 2022 and a postsecondary attainment level that ranks 36th in the country.
View our statement in support of HB 8 after the Texas House passed the bill.
- For SB 1887 – Transfer Success – 4/13/23: The Education Trust’s Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee in support of Senate Bill 1887. Feinstein discussed the challenges Texas students face related to credit transfer, costing them valuable money and time to complete their postsecondary credential. He noted the recommendations of the Student Advisory Council and the benefit of the proposed “Texas Direct” associate degree to improve transfer success and affordability. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For SB 2539 – Community College– Recent Dallas College student Ángel García Donjuán testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 23, 2023, in support of SB 2539. García Donjuán is a member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). García Donjuán talked about how access to dual credit positively impacted his college and career trajectory. He shared that, as proposed by SB 2539, more Texas students would be able to access these opportunities and community colleges rewarded reliable performance funding for the success of first-generation students like himself. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For 2539 – Community College– Tarrant County College student Chelsea Talley testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 23, 2023, in support of SB 2539. She is an aspiring first generation college graduate, a student council chair, a Student Advisory Council member and an advocate for homeless students and survivors of domestic violence. As a parenting student with a child who is also enrolled in dual credit, she knows first hand the opportunities that community colleges offer and believes SB 2539 can help more students and families like hers achieve their academic and career goals. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For 2539 – Community College – College of the Mainland student Elias Ramirez also testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 23, 2023, in support of Senate Bill 2539 (SB 2539). Ramirez is another member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). Ramirez highlighted his experience as a low-income student struggling to secure funds to cover textbooks and other class materials. He shared how SB 2539 would ensure small community colleges like his would benefit from a base level of funding to ensure student retention, completion, and success. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For HB 8 – Community College – Recent Tyler Junior College graduate Victoria Hoover testified before the House Higher Education Committee on March 20, 2023, in support of House Bill 8 (HB 8). Hoover is a member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). Hoover talked about her experience as a “non-traditional” student in rural East Texas and the necessity of HB 8 to fund community colleges and support student completion and success in today’s rapidly-changing economy. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For HB 8 – Community College – Lone Star College student Montoya Thomas testified before the House Higher Education Committee on March 20, 2023, in support of House Bill 8 (HB 8). Thomas is a member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). Montoya shared how her transition out of foster care and her constant battle to navigate her education while trying to secure housing. She identifies how HB 8 would ensure that every Texas community college receives essential funding to meet the needs of students like herself. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For SB 200 – Academic Fresh Start – 3/30/23: Student Advisory Council member Victoria Hoover submitted written comments in support of SB 200 before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee. The bill would disregard older transcripts when students, such as adult learners, decide to re-enroll in classes. As Hoover wrote, the bill “would open doors for Texans who are striving to start over and make the most of their educational opportunities.” Read the testimony here.
Expand Postsecondary Access & Reentry Success for Incarcerated Texans
- For HB 4251 – Postsecondary Education in Prison – 4/17/23: Texas Policy Associate Alexa Garza testified before the House Corrections Committee in support of House Bill 4251. Garza shared her journey to complete her Bachelor’s degree as a system-impacted woman, highlighting the access and program barriers many other incarcerated individuals face. She urged lawmakers to support HB 4251 to ensure all Texans- inmates and their families, prison staff, local communities, and employers- benefit from high-quality, accessible educational and workforce training opportunities. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For SB 526 – Pell Reinstatement – 3/30/23: Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 30, 2023, in support of Senate Bill 526. Feinstein highlighted how SB 526 represents an excellent first step for our state to capitalize on the many opportunities offered by Pell reinstatement for incarcerated Texans. Learn more about Pell reinstatement. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
- For HB 1743 – SNAP upon reentry – 3/16/23: Education Trust Texas Policy Associate Alexa Garza submitted written testimony in support of HB 1743 before the Texas House Corrections Committee. The bill would enable inmates to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) benefits in a manner that allows them to start at the time of discharge or release. Receiving food assistance immediately upon release provides significant benefits to help Texans get back into society. Read the testimony here.