Education
Gov. Abbott directs TEA to ignore new Title IX protections Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Educa- tion Agency on April 29 to ignore new Title IX rules aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ students from discrimination. The gist The Biden administration expanded the 1972 nondiscrimination law to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy at federally funded colleges and K-12 schools. In a letter to President Joe Biden, Abbott argued the expanded rules exceed the federal government’s authority. Attorney General Ken Paxton also sued the Biden administration to block the changes, which are set to take effect Aug. 1.
Texas teachers make less than national average The average Texas teacher will earn $62,463 during the 2023-24 school year. This is over $9,000 below the national average, the National Education Association found from an analysis of Texas Education Agency data. When adjusted for inflation, Texas teachers’ salaries are down 6% from 2015, the Texas State Teachers Association reported. Texas’ full-time school support staff, such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers and secretaries, made $30,382 on average during the 2022-23 school year. Zooming in Texas spent around $12,781 per student this school year, according to the NEA. This includes the $6,160 basic allotment, or the base amount of money districts receive per student from the state. Schools use the allotment, which has not increased since 2019, to pay for daily operations, teacher
Salary standards Averages include all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
National average
Texas average
Rank
29th
Teacher salaries
$71,699 $62,463
Support staff salaries 34th
$33,756 $30,382
46th
Per-student funding
$18,001 $12,781
SOURCE: TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
salaries and more. Per-student spending in Texas dropped 2.5% from the 2022-23 school year, while the national average rose 2.9%, the TSTA reported. Texas spends $5,220 less per child than the national average. Efforts to adjust teacher pay and school funding languished during the 2023 Texas Legislature as law- makers sparred over education savings accounts, a voucher-like program that would give families public money to help pay for private schools. The Texas House rejected a voucher plan in November, and public school funding initiatives died with it.
The place for Remember in
Welcome to historic Georgetown, Texas!
In May, we celebrate Preservation Month , and as a City, we are proud to honor our past. Join us for a walking tour of historic downtown Georgetown at 1 p.m. May 24. The tours depart from the Main Street side of the Williamson County Courthouse and focus on Georgetown’s history and on-going revitalization and preservation efforts. For more information, visit mainstreet.georgetown.org.
#LoveWhereYouLive |
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook