Texas House District 64 Rep. Andy Hopper is making headlines with his bold move to eliminate the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This freshman representative from Decatur filed House Bill 2657 on Tuesday, calling the TEA a “largely useless state bureaucracy.”
If passed, this bill would dissolve the TEA and shift many of its duties to the elected State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Texas Comptroller’s Office. One of the key changes includes altering how state accountability and assessments, like the STAAR test, are managed. This means that existing programs under the TEA could soon be a thing of the past.
The bill specifies that all references to the TEA’s accountability systems would be considered expired. This points to a major shift in how educational oversight is handled in Texas.
Established in 1949, the TEA has been the governing body for public education in Texas. If HB 2657 becomes law, it will also abolish the position of the Commissioner of Education, which is currently held by Mike Morath. This commissioner, selected by the governor, oversees the TEA’s operations.
The new plan suggests that the Texas Comptroller, currently Glenn Hegar, would take over public school finances. The role of the Comptroller is crucial, as this office is responsible for managing the state’s financial resources.
Additionally, 15 members of the SBOE, who are elected by Texas residents, would assume some of the TEA’s responsibilities. The transition is expected to begin on September 1, 2025, splitting the TEA’s workforce, which comprises over 1,200 employees, between the two new entities.
Hopper believes that putting education under the control of elected officials will increase accountability to taxpayers. He echoed sentiments from former President Trump, urging a reduction in government inefficiencies. Hopper stated that many Texans feel frustrated with the results yielded by the TEA and see this move as a way to address ongoing issues in public education.
This isn’t the first time lawmakers in Texas have considered disbanding the TEA. Former House District 60 Rep. Glenn Rogers has also raised concerns about the agency, advocating for its dismantlement in previous discussions.
As the discussion unfolds, the future of public education oversight in Texas could see significant changes, sparking debates about efficiency, accountability, and the best way to serve students across the state.
