Estimated Time to Read: 5 minutes
In a bold effort to overhaul Texas’ public education system, State Rep. Andy Hopper (R-Decatur) has introduced House Bill 2657 (HB 2657) to abolish the Texas Education Agency (TEA). If passed, this legislation would eliminate the TEA and shift its responsibilities to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Hopper contends that the agency has become an unaccountable bureaucracy, burdened with inefficiencies that have failed to improve student performance.
According to Hopper,
“Texans pour billions into this state agency with the expectation that it will somehow improve education, but have been consistently and profoundly disappointed in the results.”
Source: Statement by State Rep. Andy Hopper (R-Decatur), 2.11.2025
What HB 2657 Proposes: Eliminating the TEA and Reshaping Oversight
Under HB 2657, the Texas Education Agency would be dismantled, and the position of Commissioner of Education would be eliminated. The bill transfers all policy and administrative responsibilities to the State Board of Education, while public school finance and fiscal management would be handled by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. This shift is intended to increase transparency and efficiency, ensuring that public education policies and funding decisions are made by elected officials rather than an unelected bureaucracy.
In addition to eliminating the TEA, HB 2657 also repeals the state’s public school accountability and assessment systems. This means that standardized testing mandates and other performance-based oversight mechanisms would be removed, an aspect of the bill that is likely to spark considerable debate among educators, policymakers, and parents.
Why Supporters of HB 2657 Want to Abolish the Texas Education Agency
Decentralizing Education to Restore Local Control
One of the key arguments behind HB 2657’s push to eliminate the TEA is the belief that local school districts should have greater autonomy over decision-making. Critics of the TEA argue that the agency has grown too powerful, imposing statewide mandates that override local priorities. By shifting oversight to the State Board of Education, the bill’s proponents argue that education policy will be more directly influenced by voters, rather than by state-appointed administrators.
Eliminating Bureaucracy and Inefficiency in Texas Public Schools
HB 2657’s supporters claim that the TEA has become a massive, inefficient bureaucracy that consumes billions of taxpayer dollars without delivering meaningful results. Hopper believes that by streamlining oversight and removing administrative waste, resources can be better allocated to classrooms, teachers, and students. The bill also ensures that education funding is managed within the broader state budget framework, providing greater financial accountability through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Ending the State’s Standardized Testing Mandates
A major provision in HB 2657 is the repeal of Texas’ public school accountability and assessment systems. If passed, the bill would eliminate state-mandated standardized testing requirements and school performance rating systems. While supporters argue that these assessments place unnecessary stress on students and teachers without yielding meaningful improvements in education, opponents worry that eliminating accountability measures could reduce transparency in evaluating school performance.
What Happens if HB 2657 Becomes Law?
If HB 2657 passes the Texas Legislature, the Texas Education Agency would be dissolved, and its responsibilities would be fully transitioned by December 1, 2025. The State Board of Education would assume all administrative and policy-making duties, while the Texas Comptroller would take over school finance and budgeting functions.
For Texas school districts, this could mean greater flexibility in managing their own policies and educational priorities without interference from a centralized state agency. Charter schools and independent school districts would also see a reduction in regulatory burdens, allowing them to operate with more autonomy. However, some education advocates argue that removing the TEA could create inconsistencies in school standards across the state.
Support and Opposition: The Debate Over HB 2657
Backers of HB 2657 believe that abolishing the Texas Education Agency is a necessary step toward meaningful education reform. They argue that the current system has been wasteful and ineffective, and that shifting power to the SBOE and Texas Comptroller will increase accountability and efficiency. By allowing local districts to make decisions that best fit their communities, they believe Texas schools will be better positioned to meet student needs.
Opponents of the bill worry that eliminating the TEA could destabilize Texas’ education system, leading to inconsistencies between school districts. They argue that statewide standards help ensure equal educational opportunities for all students, and removing the TEA’s oversight role could weaken the enforcement of those standards. Additionally, critics believe that removing accountability measures like standardized testing could make it harder to assess student progress and school performance.
The Future of HB 2657: What Comes Next?
As HB 2657 moves through the Texas Legislature, it is expected to generate significant debate among lawmakers, educators, and parents. The bill represents one of the most dramatic education reform proposals in recent Texas history, and its outcome could have long-lasting implications for public schools across the state.
With education policy becoming an increasingly contentious issue, Texas voters will play a crucial role in shaping the future of public schools. Whether abolishing the TEA will lead to more efficient and accountable education governance, or if it risks creating uncertainty and fragmentation, remains a central question in the upcoming legislative session.
As State Rep. Andy Hopper stated, “With the filing of HB 2657, I would like to start the process of addressing the systemic issues with public education in Texas by abolishing a largely useless state bureaucracy.”
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