The bill would also expand an existing program that offers raises to teachers based on how their students perform.

SB 26 expands the Teacher Inventive Allotment (TIA) a merit-based pay program that gives bonuses to top-performing teachers based on academic growth. Under SB 26, 50% of teachers in a district can participate in the teacher incentive program, compared to the current cap of 33%.

The proposal comes as public school teachers in Texas are leaving the profession in droves and many districts are trying to make up budget shortfalls.

Texas lawmakers on Thursday are expected to debate an across-the-board raise for the state’s experienced educators.

The proposal would expand a program that allows districts to award bonuses to educators based on their students’ academic growth.

A recent budget analysis noted the Texas Senate’s voucher bill could affect the fund if it leads students and teachers to leave public schools.

Read more For the first time since Gov. Greg Abbott declared raising teacher pay an emergency item, the Senate laid out exactly what new teacher pay guidelines would look like.

A Texas Senate committee has voted to advance Senate Bill 26, a comprehensive bill that would increase teacher pay after public comment on Thursday.