Committee adopts substitute for early‑literacy bill to expand screeners, teacher supports and pre‑K funding

The Senate Committee on Education K‑16 adopted the committee substitute for Senate Bill 2,252, a comprehensive early‑learning bill sponsored by Sen. Brandon Creighton that seeks to strengthen kindergarten through third‑grade literacy and math instruction, expand screening and progress monitoring, fund teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, and increase support for eligible pre‑K students.

Creighton told the committee the bill builds on prior legislation and committee interim work to improve tier‑1 instruction and give teachers “the tools and training they need to close learning gaps.” He cited national assessment results as context: “69 percent of Texas fourth graders scored below proficient on the 2024 NAEP reading exam,” and framed the bill as a combined education and workforce measure to improve foundational skills.

The committee substitute preserves stipends for teachers who complete literacy and math…