House Bill 2 (HB 2) Implementation of Stipend Requirements for Reading Academies and Mathematics Achievement Academies.

Overview  

This correspondence provides guidance on implementing stipend requirements for the Texas Reading Academies and Mathematics Achievement Academies, as amended by House Bill 2 (HB 2), 89th Regular Session, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. Specifically, this correspondence outlines stipend amounts, eligibility criteria, funding sources, and transition procedures for Summer 2025. 

Stipend Requirements and Authority

Pursuant to Texas Education Code (TEC) §§21.4552(d) and 21.4553(d), as amended by HB 2, classroom teachers as defined by TEC, §5.001(2), who meet grade-level conditions below, and who complete a Texas Reading Academies or Mathematics Achievement Academies are entitled to receive a stipend from their school district.  

 For the Texas Reading Academies, a stipend is required for a classroom teacher who provides instruction to students in kindergarten through third grade and who is required to attend the academy or complete related coursework outside of contract hours. In addition, a school district may provide a stipend to a classroom teacher who provides instruction to students in a grade level above third grade and attends outside of contract hours with district approval. 

For the Mathematics Achievement Academies, a classroom teacher who attends is entitled to receive a stipend from the school district, regardless of the grade level they teach, provided they have been directed or received district approval to attend outside of contract hours. 

Per the authority granted by HB 2, the Commissioner of Education has set the stipend rate at a minimum of $50 per hour for approved training completed outside the days or hours of service included in the term of the teacher’s contract.  

The purpose of this law change was to honor teacher time. As such, the law is structured to have teachers participate in the academies during their normal work duties or otherwise receive extra compensation. Specifically, a school district is not required to provide a stipend to a classroom teacher under these circumstances: 

• A school district is not required to provide a stipend to a classroom teacher if the teacher attends the reading or mathematics achievement academy on a day or during hours of service included in the term of the ​teacher’s contract. 

• A school district is not required to provide a stipend if a teacher is not directed or approved by the school district at which the teacher is employed to attend the reading or mathematics​ achievement academy (e.g., the teacher participates in the academies on their own).  

• A school district is not required to provide a stipend if the teacher attends the reading or mathematics achievement academy as part of an educator preparation program in which the teacher is ​enrolled.   

  • Of note, a teacher could be participating in a preparation program as part of their process of becoming standard certified after receiving an intern certification, and while doing so also be attending a reading or math academy as required by their district but not as part of their preparation program. In this situation, this exception does not apply. 

Implementation Beginning September 1, 2025

Beginning with those starting an academy after September 1, 2025, all districts must implement stipend provisions in alignment with HB 2. These stipend provisions apply to the HB 3 K–3 Texas Reading Academies, the HB 2 K–3 Mathematics Achievement Academies, and any additional Texas Education Agency programs that are part of or administered through the Texas Reading Academies or Mathematics Achievement Academies. 

Stipend eligibility for the Texas Reading Academies begins with the September 2025 cohort and subsequent cohorts and only applies to classroom teachers who must attend the academy or complete related coursework outside of contract hours. 

Districts are responsible for stipend disbursement and may utilize Early Education Allotment (EEA) funds under TEC §48.108 for this purpose, as well as other available funds. 

Transition for Summer 2025 – Mathematics Achievement Academy Stipends 

Senate Bill 934, enacted by the 84th Texas Legislature, established Texas Education Code §21.4553, which authorized the creation of Mathematics Achievement Academies and entitles eligible classroom teachers to receive a stipend in an amount determined by the Commissioner of Education, beginning in 2016. 
 
To support a fair and consistent transition as new statutory requirements under House Bill 2 (89th Legislature) take effect, the TEA will continue to provide a one-time stipend of $350 to eligible classroom teachers who complete a Mathematics Achievement Academy on or before August 31, 2025. In alignment with current policy and procedure, TEA will issue these stipends directly to eligible teachers rather than through school districts.

Statutory References

• TEC §21.4552 – Teacher Literacy Achievement Academies 
• TEC §21.4553 – Teacher Mathematics Achievement Academies 
• TEC §48.108 – Early Education Allotment 
• TEC §5.001(2) – Definition of “Classroom Teacher”

 Additional Information 

• This correspondence serves as the formal communication of the Commissioner’s stipend determination starting September 1, 2025. 
• No additional rulemaking is required to enforce the stipend policy. 
• A future administrator webinar will provide further clarification.

Contact

For questions regarding stipend implementation, please Submit a ticket to the Help Desk for Mathematics Achievement Academies. For Texas Reading Academies,  fill out a request form on the Support Portal. For additional questions, please submit an email to HB2@tea.texas.gov.