Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Legislation Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears 89th Texas Legislature update: funding, STAAR changes and teacher certification proposals discussed
Summary
Superintendent-level staff briefed trustees on House proposals to raise the basic allotment, proposals to modify STAAR testing cadence, an expansion of TIA-eligible courses, and potential limits on District of Innovation (DOI) certification tied to teacher certification timelines.
Tyler ISD trustees received an update on several proposals moving through the 89th Texas Legislature that could affect district funding, accountability and staffing.
Dr. Crawford summarized developments on the House side and emphasized that proposals are still negotiable. He said a substitute House bill has increased the proposed basic allotment above earlier proposals and described a pathway that could move the allotment toward a “flat $6,500,” telling trustees he thought the increase could be “somewhere upwards of a $400 increase to possibly get it to a flat $6,500.” He cautioned the board that House proposals must still be reconciled with the Senate in conference committee.
On accountability and assessments, Dr. Crawford discussed proposals to move away from a single end-of-year STAAR test to multiple shorter assessments throughout the year. He described the concept as “3 or 4 little parcels of assessments” that would provide periodic feedback rather than a single summative test.
Trustees also discussed proposed changes tied to Districts of Innovation (DOI) and teacher certification. Dr. Crawford said the Legislature has discussed requiring teachers in foundational courses to hold certification by their third year or lose DOI eligibility; he noted the idea could prompt appeals and that the details were still unsettled. Trustees raised concerns about experienced but uncertified educators and whether performance might warrant exemptions.
Finally, the board discussed an expansion of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). Dr. Crawford said the district is moving from about five eligible courses to “over 100” districtwide, which would expand the number of teachers eligible for additional pay under TIA-linked eligibility.
No formal board action was taken on the legislative items; trustees were briefed and asked clarifying questions about potential local impacts.
