Texas' Education Bill: A Mirage of Progress Hides Voucher Scheme Betrayal of Students

When the Texas House passed House Bill 2 in April 2025, it felt like a long-overdue nod to the state's public schools. The bill, championed by Governor Greg Abbott and lauded as a historic $7.7 billion investment, promised to lift teacher salaries, boost per-student funding, and strengthen special education. For educators and parents who've watched Texas schools struggle under tight budgets, the news landed like a lifeline. But dig deeper, and the celebration fades. This isn't the transformative victory it’s been sold as; it’s a half-measure dressed up as progress, leaving too many students and teachers in the lurch.

Texas has a knack for bold gestures that unravel under scrutiny. House Bill 2 raises the basic per-student allotment from $6,160 to $6,555, a step forward after years of stagnation. It directs 40% of that increase to teacher and staff pay, expands pre-kindergarten access, and ties future funding to property value growth. On paper, it’s substantial. Yet, nearly 63% of Texas school districts are staring down budget deficits in 2025, grappling with rising costs for everything from property insurance to classroom supplies. The state's own numbers reveal a stark truth: despite record funding, Texas still ranks a dismal 38th nationally in per-student spending.

For those of us who believe public education is the bedrock of a just society, this bill feels like a mirage. It offers enough to quiet critics but not enough to close the gaps that have plagued Texas schools for decades. The promise of 'education excellence' rings hollow when districts are forced to cut corners, and teachers, even with raises, still earn less than their peers in other states. The real question isn't whether Texas is spending more; it's whether it's spending enough to give every child a fair shot.

What’s worse, this funding boost comes with a shadow: the relentless push for school vouchers. Governor Abbott’s vision of 'school choice' looms large, threatening to siphon public dollars to private institutions. For advocates of equitable education, this isn’t just a policy disagreement; it’s a betrayal of the public good. House Bill 2, for all its fanfare, feels like a distraction from a larger agenda that could unravel the very system it claims to support.

Let’s talk about teachers. They’re the heart of any school, yet Texas has treated them like an afterthought for too long. House Bill 2 offers raises—$2,500 for teachers with three years of experience, $5,500 for those with five or more, and double that in smaller districts. The Teacher Incentive Allotment program sweetens the deal, letting top educators earn up to $36,000 extra. It’s a start, and for teachers scraping by in rural areas or urban centers, it’s real money. But don’t mistake this for a fix. The average Texas teacher salary, now $62,474, still trails the national average, and 42% of districts say they can’t afford raises without slashing other parts of their budgets.

This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about respect. Teachers aren’t asking for mansions or six-figure bonuses for showing up. They want to teach without worrying about second jobs or outdated textbooks. They want classrooms where they can focus on students, not on scraping together supplies. House Bill 2’s raises are a step, but they don’t address the deeper issue: a system that undervalues the people shaping the next generation. If Texas truly valued education, it wouldn’t stop at raises; it would invest in smaller class sizes, better training, and schools that don’t feel like they’re one budget cut away from collapse.

Then there’s the voucher threat. Proponents argue it’s about giving parents options, but let’s be clear: every dollar diverted to private schools is a dollar stolen from public school teachers and students. Private institutions aren’t bound by the same accountability standards, and they often cherry-pick students, leaving public schools to handle everyone else with less. This isn’t choice; it’s a rigged game that undermines the educators House Bill 2 claims to uplift.

Texas loves to pat itself on the back for pockets of excellence. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress shows Texas 4th graders outpacing the nation in math, with African American and Asian students leading their peers. English Learners rank in the top five nationally, and the number of Gold Ribbon Schools—high-performing, high-poverty campuses—has jumped 50% in a year. These are real wins, proof of what’s possible when resources and talent align. But the broader picture is less rosy. Eighth-grade scores are slipping, reading performance is down, and only 17% of low-income schools meet the state’s high-quality threshold.

House Bill 2 tries to address this with targeted funds for special education and struggling schools, but it sidesteps the root issue: systemic inequity. Wealthier districts, flush with property tax revenue, can afford shiny facilities and extra programs, while poorer ones scrape by. The state’s 'Robin Hood' plan, meant to level the playing field, hasn’t closed the gap, and HB 2’s reliance on property value growth risks tying funding to a volatile market. True equity means every student, whether in Dallas or Del Rio, gets the same shot at a great education. That takes more than a one-time cash infusion; it takes a commitment to rethink how Texas funds its schools.

Voucher advocates claim their plan empowers families, but it’s a false promise. Private schools often exclude students with special needs or those who can’t afford extra fees, leaving public schools as the only real option for many. Diverting funds to vouchers would widen the equity gap, not close it. If Texas wants to lead on education, it needs to double down on public schools, not gamble on a privatization experiment.

Texas stands at a crossroads. House Bill 2 is a chance to build on progress, to show that public education can be a priority, not a political football. The bill’s investments—more money for pre-K, better pay for teachers, support for special needs students—are steps toward a system that serves every child. But it’s not enough to stop here. The state must reject vouchers and commit to sustainable, equitable funding that doesn’t leave districts begging for scraps. Education isn’t a luxury; it’s a right, and Texas has the resources to make it a reality for every student.

This fight isn’t just about budgets or bills; it’s about what kind of state we want to be. Do we invest in a future where every kid has a chance to thrive, or do we let a flawed voucher scheme hollow out our public schools? The answer should be obvious. Texas can do better, and it starts with putting students and teachers first, not chasing privatization dreams that benefit a few at the expense of many. House Bill 2 is a start, but it’s not the finish line. Let’s keep pushing for a Texas where every classroom is a place of possibility.