The Texas Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would give teachers across-the-board raises based on their experience. Its author calls Senate Bill 26 the largest pay raise in state history.
According to information provided by the Texas Senate, the legislation would create a system where teachers automatically receive raises in their third and fifth year of teaching. The $4.3 billion proposal would begin next school year, giving a $2,500 raise with three years of teaching experience. Those with five years or more would get the biggest raises: $5,500 for teachers in large districts and $10,000 for those in small ones.
Lawmakers say the reason for the difference is to attract more teachers to rural areas. The bill’s sponsor, East Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, tells the Texas Newsroom that the way the bill is set up would allow school districts to give raises to other staff members as well. For instance, for support staff, librarians, nurses, bus drivers, those that work in the cafeteria and janitorial services. And many others.
Currently, the average salary of Texas educators is about $62,500, which is thousands of dollars less than the U.S. average as estimated by the National Education Association. SB 26 was received by the Texas House on Thursday for consideration. A similar bill was also filed in the House.
