A Texas lawmaker is pushing to dissolve the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and give its powers to the State Board of Education (SBOE). State Rep. Andy Hopper, a Republican from District 64, introduced a bill called HB 2657. This bill aims to eliminate the TEA and bring significant changes to public school accountability and assessment, including the possible end of the STAAR test.
Hopper believes that Texas students are weighed down by excessive regulations, which he claims have caused them to lag behind their peers in other states. He argues that the TEA represents a bloated bureaucracy that has failed to deliver meaningful improvements in education. “Texans invest billions into this agency, but results have been disappointing,” he said.
If the bill is passed, the TEA’s responsibilities would shift to the SBOE, which consists of 15 elected members. Public school finance would also move to the Comptroller’s office. The deadline for this transition would be December 1 if the bill is approved.
Meanwhile, during this legislative session, there’s also discussion about a school choice bill pushed by Governor Greg Abbott. This plan would allow students to receive funding for private school tuition, with varying amounts based on their circumstances. While supporters say this is designed to help low-income families and students with disabilities, critics are worried about the impact on public school funding.
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath has expressed opposition to changing the public school funding system. Currently, funding is based on students’ daily attendance. Morath argues that the current funding levels are adequate and that shifting to enrollment-based funding could harm students, especially since some school districts are already facing budget challenges. These issues have been exacerbated by reduced federal funding since the pandemic.
Hopper’s HB 2657 is intended to streamline oversight and improve the budgeting process for education. He hopes that less bureaucracy will lead to better use of resources and greater accountability.
The Texas Education Agency has played a significant role in managing public education since its establishment in 1949. It’s responsible for overseeing over 1,200 school districts and many charter schools. The TEA has undergone several reforms over the years, including efforts to balance funding between wealthier and property-poor districts and initiatives to raise teacher pay. These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes for all Texas students.
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Texas Politics, School Choice, Politics, Greg Abbott, Texas, Education
