House Bill 2 (2025) changed how Texas pays for, certifies and keeps teachers, and most of the changes reach districts in 2026-27 and 2027-28. This playbook explains what each change means for your hiring, with the dates, dollar amounts and requirements in one place, sourced to the statute, TEA guidance and current research.
It's written for superintendents, HR directors, principals and finance teams in Texas school districts and charter schools.
How the playbook works
- Each chapter opens free. The first part of every chapter answers its main question in full.
- One work email unlocks everything. Enter your school or district email and we'll send a link that unlocks the rest of every chapter and its toolkit. No account, no password.
- Every chapter has a toolkit: a checklist, worksheet or script your team can print and use.
- Every figure is sourced and dated, and chapters are reviewed at least once a year and whenever the rules change.
The chapters
- Teacher Incentive Allotment: what designated teachers bring in 2026-27, how designations work, and the timeline to build a local system.
- School job descriptions: what every description must include, and the rules for aides, teachers, substitutes, pre-K and special education. Paired with a free library of job description templates.
- Residencies and Grow Your Own: what the PREP allotment pays per resident and employee, what you commit to, and how to apply for 2027-28.
Coming next: mentoring and induction, the HB 2 certification deadlines, structured interviews, retention, and a data report on Texas school hiring.