On Thursday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 27 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe), which addresses numerous issues affecting public school educators. When the bill was debated on the Senate floor, five amendments were accepted, and the version that passed is now the engrossed version, reflecting these updates.  

ATPE is committed to advocating for educators, and we worked hard to improve the bill. We are encouraged by many of the changes in this bill. SB 27 takes a comprehensive approach to improving the recruitment, retention, rights, and working conditions of educators. Keep in mind that this bill has not been heard or passed in the House yet.  

Below are the key provisions of SB 27 and how they impact teachers: 

Improved notification for job openings 

SB 27 requires districts to notify current employees of vacant certified positions at least five school days before filling them (previously 10). If the position must be filled immediately during the school year, notice must still be provided as soon as possible. This gives current teachers a better opportunity to apply for internal transfers and promotions. 

Fee waivers for certification 

SB 27 waives exam and application fees for first-time test takers seeking certification in special education, bilingual education, and other high-need areas. It allows partial retakes of the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test rather than requiring retaking the full exam. 

Protections for teachers breaking contracts 

SB 27 adds flexibility for teachers who resign after the 45-day deadline before the school year starts. The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) will not be allowed to impose a sanction if the teacher’s resignation is due to a serious personal or family illness, a family member’s job relocation, significant changes in family needs, or a reasonable belief the teacher had district permission to resign. 

More control over leave 

SB 27 allows teachers not to use paid leave concurrently with unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for pregnancy or the adoption of a child. 

Retired teacher reimbursement grant program 

SB 27 creates a grant program to reimburse districts for TRS surcharges when hiring retired teachers who retired before Sept. 1, 2024. 

Workload and time management support 

SB 27 directs the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to study teacher time use, required duties, and professional development and to help districts refine schedules to give teachers adequate time to meet job expectations. 

Grants and technical assistance for teacher quality 

TEA will provide support to districts on strategic staffing and compensation, local teacher pipeline programs, and behavior management strategies, and grants will be available to implement these programs. 

Improved data collection 

The bill requires TEA to collect and report data on teacher vacancies by subject, grade, and duration. 

Notice and due process for complaints 

If a complaint is filed against a teacher, districts must notify the teacher and allow the teacher to submit a written response to be included in the record. 

Restoring teacher authority in the classroom 

SB 27 gives teachers the right to remove disruptive or bullying students from their classrooms after a single incident. Students may not return without written teacher consent, unless a special committee creates a return-to-class plan. SB 27 also requires immediate threat notification to teachers in the event of credible campus threats. 

SB 27 represents a significant step forward in recognizing the challenges facing educators today. From streamlining certification pathways to supporting teacher autonomy in classroom management, this legislation addresses many of the issues our members raise time and again. We appreciate the inclusion of thoughtful amendments during the Senate floor debate, which helped refine the bill and improve its protections for educators. 

As always, we will continue monitoring the bill’s progress and advocate for thoughtful implementation focused on educators’ voices and experiences. SB 27 sends a clear message: Supporting teachers is essential to supporting public education.