Estimated Time to Read: 6 minutes
House Bill 2 (HB 2), authored by State Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado), is part of what Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) has dubbed the “Texas Two Step”—a dual-track legislative effort to increase public school funding while also introducing a universal school choice program (HB 3). Burrows has described these two bills as “historic,” claiming that “the Texas House has the votes to get it done.”
HB 2 focuses on public school finance and teacher pay, making significant revisions to the state’s existing funding formulas. The bill raises the basic allotment per student from $6,160 to $6,380, expands teacher incentive programs, and adds more grant funding for various school initiatives.
While some argue that these changes are necessary to address funding disparities and improve education, HB 2 largely reinforces the existing government-run school monopoly. Instead of requiring public schools to operate more efficiently with their current resources, the bill pours more taxpayer money into a system that has failed to produce meaningful student performance gains. Worse, HB 2 undermines the effectiveness of HB 3’s school choice initiative by solidifying the dominance of government-run education.
Key Provisions of House Bill 2
HB 2 introduces several significant changes to the way Texas funds and operates its public education system. Below are the most impactful provisions.
1. Increase in Basic Allotment and Public School Funding
HB 2 raises the basic allotment per student from $6,160 to $6,380 (Section 48.051(a)), an increase of $220 per student. This is the primary mechanism for increasing state funding to public schools, but it does not include any structural reforms or efficiency measures.
Additionally, HB 2 adjusts how charter schools receive funding, ensuring that open-enrollment charter schools are funded based on weighted average daily attendance, similar to traditional public school districts. However, charter schools must maintain at least an “acceptable” performance rating to qualify for certain state funding (Section 48.051(c)). This could place restrictions on lower-performing charters, reducing innovation and competition within Texas’ education landscape.
The bill also clarifies and modifies the calculation of average daily attendance (ADA), which determines school funding based on student presence. Special rules are added for half-day programs and students in alternative educational arrangements (Section 48.051(d)).
2. Expansion of Pre-K and Early Childhood Education
HB 2 expands eligibility for state-funded pre-kindergarten by making all three-year-olds eligible for pre-K if they meet certain conditions (Section 29.153(b-1)). While supporters argue that expanding pre-K provides long-term educational benefits, this provision increases state control over early childhood education at the expense of private and home-based alternatives.
Rather than allowing families to choose the best early learning options for their children, HB 2 directs more resources toward state-run programs, reinforcing government dependency instead of fostering competition.
3. Teacher Pay Incentives and School District Grant Programs
HB 2 introduces significant pay raises for public school teachers based on a state-run performance designation system. The bill expands the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program (Section 48.112) with the following pay structures:
- “Master” teachers receive a base raise of $12,000, with a maximum of $36,000.
- “Exemplary” teachers receive a base raise of $9,000, with a maximum of $25,000.
- “Recognized” teachers receive a base raise of $5,000, with a maximum of $15,000.
- Nationally board-certified teachers receive a base raise of $3,000, with a maximum of $9,000.
Rather than identifying inefficiencies within the existing teacher pay system and reallocating funds to reward high-performing educators, HB 2 simply adds new spending to the already costly education bureaucracy. A true conservative approach would demand reforms that prioritize better allocation of existing funds rather than throwing more taxpayer money at the problem.
4. Additional Allotments and Grant Funding for School Districts
HB 2 expands several funding streams for school districts, including:
- A High School Advising Allotment (Section 48.162), which directs funding toward college and career advising for 11th and 12th graders.
- A Fine Arts Allotment (Section 48.116), which provides additional money for students enrolled in fine arts programs.
- Additional Funding for Struggling Schools (Section 29.934), allowing districts with repeated low performance ratings to receive additional resources rather than face stronger accountability measures.
While these provisions expand available funding, they fail to require public schools to operate within existing budgets. Instead of redistributing funds toward effective programs, HB 2 simply increases state spending without demanding greater fiscal responsibility from districts.
Why Conservatives Should Reject HB 2
Hands Progressives a Huge Victory
House Speaker Dustin Burrows has marketed HB 2 and HB 3 as a “Texas Two Step” approach to balancing school choice and public school funding. However, HB 2 represents a massive win for those who believe in expanding government control over education.
The bill prioritizes spending increases over efficiency, reinforcing the idea that Texas must continuously inject more taxpayer money into public schools rather than hold them accountable for their performance. This aligns perfectly with the progressive agenda of making public education the only viable option while limiting competition from charter, private, and homeschooling alternatives.
Expands the Government School Monopoly
The bill dramatically increases public school funding while requiring no structural reforms to improve efficiency. It also forces open-enrollment charter schools to meet state-defined performance metrics before receiving full funding, placing them at a disadvantage compared to traditional ISDs.
Rather than promoting competition, HB 2 reinforces the state’s monopoly over education, ensuring that public schools remain the dominant force in Texas’ educational landscape.
Undermines School Choice
HB 3, the school choice bill, provides Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) funded at 85% of the statewide average per-student funding level. While this offers families an alternative to government-run schools, HB 2 significantly diminishes its impact by dramatically increasing public school funding.
By injecting more money into traditional ISDs, HB 2 ensures that the status quo remains largely unchanged, making it harder for school choice initiatives to gain traction. Instead of truly leveling the playing field, HB 2 keeps power centralized in the public education system.
Doubles Down on Failure
For decades, Texas has increased education spending while seeing minimal improvements in student performance. HB 2 continues this trend by increasing funding to underperforming schools without requiring accountability. Instead of demanding better outcomes, the bill rewards inefficiency, ensuring that failing schools continue to operate with little incentive to improve.
Fails to Use Existing Resources Wisely
One of the biggest flaws in HB 2 is its refusal to demand budget efficiency and smarter spending. Rather than requiring school districts to reallocate existing funds to high-impact programs, the bill simply increases spending without ensuring that taxpayers see a return on investment. This is fiscally irresponsible and places an unnecessary burden on Texas taxpayers.
Conclusion: A Trojan Horse for Bigger Government
HB 2 is not a solution to Texas’ education challenges—it is a massive expansion of the government school system. It reinforces the public education monopoly, weakens school choice, and prioritizes spending increases over fiscal responsibility.
Instead of passing HB 2, Texas lawmakers should focus on using existing education funds more effectively, promoting competition, and ensuring true accountability in the system. Anything less is a surrender to the same failing policies that have plagued Texas education for years.
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