Policy Areas For 89th Legislative Session
1. Equitable School Funding
Sustaining and continuously improving House Bill 3’s strategic program investments and targeted student funding to incentivize, resource, and scale data-driven practices is critical for the further improvement of student academic achievement and the success of our state.
2. Effective Educators
Teachers remain the greatest in-school factor affecting student achievement. As school districts face high teacher attrition rates and increasingly rely on uncertified and underprepared teachers, we must incentivize our best educators to stay in the classroom and set future teachers on a path toward successful careers in the field. High-quality preparation and support for current educators will secure the diverse, effective teacher workforce our state needs to improve student outcomes.
3. Assessments & Accountability
In addition to formative academic snapshots, valid, reliable, annual, and comparable summative assessments aligned to state grade-level standards in core subjects enable decision makers (parents, school leaders, and policymakers) to identify opportunities and herald bright spots. Meaningful, fair, and transparent accountability systems (including reporting, ratings, and consequences) define excellence and spur continuous improvement. Both accountability and the assessment system within it must focus on core academic skills and evidence-based college, career, and military readiness indicators that research shows are critical to post-graduation success.
4. Strong Academic Foundations
High-quality instruction and data-backed supports are needed to ensure that all Texas students reach and maintain grade level proficiency. Centering additional policies in this way will allow the state to identify opportunities in our education system, scale best practices with proven track records of success, and ultimately drive improvements in student outcomes across the state.
5. Postsecondary Readiness and Success
Texas’ PK-12 school systems are critical in the development of a highly educated and skilled workforce. A student’s academic experience should be structured to intentionally support them on a trajectory that results in a successful transition into and completion of high-quality college, career, and life opportunities. Strengthening alignment and integration across systems, broadening opportunities for students to progress through coherent coursework, credentials, and degrees in high school, and more meaningfully incentivizing data-driven achievements linked to future postsecondary success are all essential in enabling more Texas students to lead productive, successful lives.
What We’re Doing
INFORM
ITX informs members and organizations about our priority issues and their data-backed rationale through email updates and regular meetings.
EQUIP
ITX shares information on the policy process and key positioning with coalition organizations.
ADVOCATE
ITX provides digital tools to support mobilization with policymakers and offers engagement opportunities related to our priority issues.
2025 Legislative Timeline
January 14
Session Begins
The first day of the 2023 Legislative Session.
Late January
Top Priorities
Governor Abbott hosts his State of the State address, releasing his emergency items for the session.
January - February
Committee Assignments
The Lieutenant Governor releases committee assignments for the Senate, and the Speaker releases committee assignments for the House.
February - May
Lawmaking
Legislators in both chambers hear and take action on bills in committee and vote as an entire body on legislation.
June 2
Session Ends
The last day of the 2023 Legislative Session. All bills must pass through both chambers by this point to become law.
June 15
Governor Takes Action
Governor Abbott must either sign or veto bills that successfully made it to his desk by this date.