SAN ANTONIO — More possible changes are coming for education in Texas as state lawmakers will be looking over an expanded special session agenda on universal school choice.
Items like teacher pay, school safety and special education are on the agenda. Public education has been in the spotlight during this special session, especially when it comes to school vouchers.
The controversial topic has created deadlock in the legislature, but Gov. Abbott says there’s been a breakthrough and an agreement has been reached.
Asked for comment, House Speaker Phelan merely thanked Abbott for expanding the session agenda to allow bills that increase spending for public education. The governor had previously refused to do this until the Legislature sent him a voucher bill.
“Speaker Phelan… looks forward to having robust discussions on school funding, teacher pay and other critical education issues with his House colleagues,” Phelan spokesperson Cassi Pollock said.
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Part of the agreement will expand the third session agenda to include school funding, however, time is running out.
The bill would bump up the amount students could receive for the school voucher program, going from about $8,000 dollars to more than $10,000 dollars per year.
The program creates an education savings account to help pay tuition for private and parochial schools. To sweeten the deal and pass the program, Governor Abbott added teacher pay raises to the agenda.
The Texas State Teacher Association applauded the session expansion. but maintained they are opposed the creation of an "education savings account" and vouchers.
The new proposed legislation would also include phasing out the STAAR test. There are six days left in this special session.
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