S.B. No. 26 aims to improve public education in Texas by enhancing the rights and compensation of public school educators and increasing funding for teacher compensation through the Foundation School Program. The bill amends Section 21.3521 of the Education Code to allow school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to designate teachers as master, exemplary, recognized, or acknowledged based on appraisal results. It introduces criteria for designating teachers with National Board Certification, which will remain valid until September 1, 2028. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to designate enhanced teacher incentive allotment schools based on specific criteria, including the implementation of performance-based compensation systems.

Moreover, the bill establishes a Local Optional Teacher Designation System Grant Program to support local teacher designation systems and provides classroom teachers with access to resources such as liability insurance and assistance in understanding their rights. It modifies salary deduction provisions for professional dues and revises funding allotments for designated teachers. A new section, Section 48.158, is introduced to create a Teacher Retention Allotment, offering financial support to districts for retaining teachers, with specific funding amounts based on district size and teacher experience. The bill also includes provisions for redesignating teachers and repeals certain sections of the Education Code, with the act set to take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 21.3521, Education Code 22.001, Education Code 29.153, Education Code 48.112, Education Code 48.051 (Education Code 29, Education Code 21, Education Code 48, Education Code 22)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 21.3521, Education Code 22.001, Education Code 29.153, Education Code 48.112 (Education Code 29, Education Code 21, Education Code 48, Education Code 22)
Engrossed: Education Code 21.3521, Education Code 22.001, Education Code 29.153, Education Code 48.112, Education Code 48.257, Education Code 48.051 (Education Code 29, Education Code 21, Education Code 48, Education Code 22)