Most Texans support more school funding and teacher raises, new survey finds

JoAnn Zavala teaches pre-K with a bilingual program at Hemphill Elementary, seen on Sept. 5, 2019. A Charles Butt Foundation survey released Tuesday shows most Texans support increasing funding for public education but are split on voucher-like programs. (Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune)

As legislators start a new session with a historic surplus and already pointing to their priorities on public education, a new survey released Tuesday shows Texans support teacher raises, want an increase in public school funding and are split on voucher-like programs.

The Charles Butt Foundation surveyed 1,125 Texan adults for its fourth annual Texas Education Poll, which included about 340 public school parents. Most respondents were supportive of public schools and approved of their performance.