Governor Greg Abbott declared 2025 a breakthrough year in Texas education reforms

Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott declared 2025 a breakthrough year for education in Texas, highlighting a series of major laws and reforms aimed at strengthening the state’s education system and giving parents more control over their children’s schooling.

“This year, Texas blazed the trail to become No. 1 in educating our students to ensure our state thrives for generations,” said Governor Abbott. “We passed school choice, expanded career and technical education opportunities, invested record funding in public schools and teacher pay raises, and brought curriculum back to the basics. Through these reforms, Texas will build a stronger future every child across the state.”

Historic School Choice Program Signed Into Law

In May, Governor Abbott fulfilled a campaign promise by signing Senate Bill 2 into law, creating the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program. This landmark school choice initiative earmarks $1 billion in funding and allows eligible families to direct funds toward approved education providers and resources that best suit their child’s needs.

“Today, Texas delivers on that promise,” Abbott said during the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion. “This law will ensure Texas families, whose children can no longer be served by the public school assigned to them, have the choice to take their money and find the school that is right for them.”

TEFA prioritizes students with disabilities and families with financial need, making it the largest first-day rollout of a school choice program in the nation.

Unprecedented Public School Funding and Teacher Pay Raises

In June, Abbott signed House Bill 2, authorizing a record $8.5 billion in new education funding. The legislation includes $3.5 billion in permanent teacher pay raises, $187 million for teacher training, and $834 million for special education improvements.

“Now is the time to make Texas No. 1 in educating our children,” Abbott said at the signing event attended by over 175 educators and families. The law also funds early literacy, school safety upgrades, career and technical education, and operational support for small districts.

Career Training Becomes a Statewide Priority

Recognizing the importance of alternatives to four-year degrees, Abbott also celebrated House Bills 20 and 120, both of which expand access to high-quality career and technical education (CTE).

“A four-year college degree is not the right pathway for every student,” Abbott noted. “Career training is a game-changer for our students, our state, and our employers.”

House Bill 20 allows students in 11th and 12th grades to earn high school diplomas while completing certification programs through higher education partnerships. House Bill 120 strengthens career advising and expands access to workforce-aligned CTE programs and military training.

Phone-Free Classrooms and Safer Online Experiences for Students

In August, Abbott signed Senate Bill 2420 and House Bill 1481 in Amarillo, reinforcing his push for focused learning environments and child online safety.

“Educators and researchers have raised concerns about the impact that smartphones have on student learning,” Abbott said. “If we are going to be number one in education, it is going to require the undivided attention of our students in the classroom.”

SB 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, mandates that app stores verify a user’s age and link minors’ accounts to parental control. HB 1481 requires school policies to restrict or store personal devices like phones and smartwatches during school hours.

A Legislative Push for Parent Rights and Classroom Protections

Several other laws passed this year align with Abbott’s pledge to “restore sanity to the classroom” and elevate parental involvement:

• House Bill 6 enhances school authority to remove disruptive students and increases parental involvement in discipline cases.

• House Bill 2674 protects the rights of homeschool families from regulation by the state.

• Senate Bill 11 authorizes voluntary daily prayer and scripture reading, respecting parental consent.

• Senate Bill 12 bans DEI policies in schools and reinforces parental opt-in requirements for human sexuality education.

• Senate Bill 13 introduces strict library material standards and gives parents more access to catalogs and records.

• Senate Bill 204 requires the Texas Education Agency to maintain a Parental Rights Handbook and conduct trustee training.

• Senate Bill 260 increases the safety allotment per student and per campus, supporting security upgrades and staff.

• Senate Bill 571 expands educator misconduct rules and strengthens the TEA’s Do Not Hire Registry.

• Senate Bill 965 affirms public school employees’ right to pray or express religious views while on duty.

Through these combined efforts, Governor Abbott’s administration has reshaped the education landscape in Texas, delivering on promises made during his 2025 State of the State Address. The reforms aim to provide high-quality education choices for families, invest in the future workforce, and create a more focused and secure learning environment.

With these transformative changes in motion, Abbott is doubling down on his mission to make Texas the top state for education in America.