Texas’ new voucher program could affect public school budgets and the resources districts have available to support teachers and students, according to recent analysis.
Brenda Rangel, assistant dean of the Center for Education at Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, is available to discuss how changes in school district funding could affect schools, teachers and professional development.
Rangel can speak to the potential implications of budget reductions for professional development programs and which districts may face pressure to scale back as they adjust to enrollment-related funding losses. She can also discuss how those changes could affect districts’ efforts to support and retain teachers.
“When school district budgets face pressure from enrollment shifts, teacher support and professional development are often among the first areas vulnerable to reductions,” Rangel said. “Quality professional learning isn’t an extra; it’s essential for retaining dedicated educators and ensuring students receive high-caliber instruction. Additionally, as districts prepare to navigate stricter certification mandates under House Bill 2, sustaining robust teacher preparation and support will be critical to keeping experienced educators in our classrooms."
Texas House Bill 2, enacted in 2025, also restricts school districts from employing uncertified teachers of record for courses in the foundation curriculum with limited exceptions and provisions allowing some districts to delay implementation until the 2029-30 school year. Rangel can discuss the challenges districts may face in helping experienced teachers who currently lack certification meet the new requirements, particularly if professional development and teacher-preparation budgets are constrained.
To schedule an interview with Rangel, contact media relations specialist Andrew Bell at ab208@rice.edu.