Austin-based education non-profit organization Raise Your Hands Texas (RYHT) has urged the state’s lawmakers to prioritize and strengthen the state’s investment in Texas’ 5.5 million public school students and teachers.

In a September 30 press release attributed to RYHT, Executive Director Dr. Libby Cohen said that well-paid school teachers could bring forth world-class schools that fuel a brighter future for all Texans. Cohen added that public school districts across the state need to be able to keep pace with sharply increased costs of paper, food service, and fuel.

Cohen listed three things legislators can do: raise teacher compensation and benefits packages by at least $15,000; implement an automatic annual adjustment to the per-student funding for public schools; and invest in the youngest Texans with full funding for full-day pre-kindergarten.

According to the release, RYHT released its policy priorities for the next legislative session slated to begin in early 2025. These priorities take into account recent Census data showing Texas as second in total population and third in fastest population growth.