Texas Governor Race: Abbott vs Hinojosa on Education Priorities

The outcome of Texas’ gubernatorial race will shape how the state oversees public education for its nearly 5.5 million students, with Governor Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa presenting sharply different visions for the future of Texas schools. Their competing priorities on funding, testing, staffing, and accountability highlight the stark policy divide ahead of the November election.

Abbott, the Republican incumbent, has outlined several key education proposals if re-elected. He is pushing for stricter penalties for educators convicted of misconduct, including a minimum 10-year prison sentence without parole, citing over 1,800 allegations of inappropriate teacher-student interactions reported in the past year. The governor also wants to reduce classroom screen time by promoting traditional instruction over digital devices, building on last year’s statewide cell phone ban in schools—a policy he credits for improving student test scores. On financial oversight, Abbott proposes requiring school districts to spend at least 70% of their funding on classroom instruction and directing the state comptroller to audit districts with persistent academic struggles. He additionally supports tuition discounts for summer courses at Texas universities and a push to enable students to earn bachelor’s degrees in three years, reducing higher education costs.

In contrast, Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative from Austin, has called for major changes in education leadership if she wins. She has vowed to replace Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day in office, criticizing his limited classroom experience. Hinojosa also advocates for eliminating high-stakes standardized testing, including the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), and ending the state’s practice of taking over struggling school districts by replacing elected boards and superintendents. She opposes the recently launched education savings account program that allows public funds to be used for private or home schooling, arguing it primarily benefits affluent families. Hinojosa supports redirecting funds spent on private vendors toward raising teacher salaries, citing Texas’ current rank of 33rd nationally in average educator pay.

The two candidates’ positions reflect broader debates in Texas education policy, including the role of standardized testing, state oversight of local schools, and funding priorities. With Texans set to vote in November, the election will determine which approach guides the future of public education in the state.

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