Featured News
This Week in the Legislature: 3 Things to Know
We are just over one week into the 89th Legislature and things are beginning to move. As we continue to advocate for the important bills supporting our Educator’s Bill of Rights, we are also watching the following developments:
Read MoreSBEC Recap: Board Focus on Long-Range Planning and Stakeholder Engagement
The State Board for Educator Certification met in Austin on July 18-19. While this agenda was light on decision making, it was full of portents for future action by this body. Thursday, the SBEC conducted their annual work session. The day was divided into two major areas for discussion: Long-range...
Read MoreTransforming Student Debt: Major Relief for Public Service Workers
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken a significant step forward in addressing student debt, approving an additional $1.2 billion in relief for 35,000 public servants. This move is part of a broader effort to reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which has historically fallen short in delivering promised debt...
Read MorePremium Reductions, New Plans, and Investment Strategy Discussed at TRS Board Meeting
Last week the TRS board of trustees convened in Austin to discuss the health of the pension fund, the fund’s investment strategy, and, perhaps most consequentially, the significant reduction of TRS-Care premiums from Medicare-eligible members. Texas AFT Retiree Plus Members also attended the meeting and provided public comment to the...
Read MoreJuly 19, 2024: What could go wrong?
Friday, July 19, 2024 What could go wrong? In an average year, 3,996 people die and 5,556 are wounded by guns in Texas, according to 2023 data collated by Everytown for Gun Safety. And the problem is growing worse. The rate of gun deaths in Texas increased 46% from 2012...
Read MoreSocial Security Fairness Act Gains 60 Co-Sponsors
The Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal two federal provisions that cut public employees’ Social Security benefits, has reached a new milestone with 60 co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the bill’s author, announced this week. “Social Security is a bedrock of our middle class,” Brown...
Read MoreSounding the Alarm on Project 2025: The Far-Right’s Blueprint to Dismantle Public Education and Workers’ Rights
As the race for the November elections gains momentum, you may have heard Project 2025 mentioned in the news by those warning about the dangers of a second term should former President Donald Trump win the election. Project 2025 is...
Read MoreAdditional Irregularities, Possible Impropriety in Mike Miles Charter School Saga, Texas Observer Report Reveals
Coming off the heels of Spectrum News’ jaw-dropping report that uncovered a possible multi-million dollar scandal involving state-installed Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ former charter school, a new report from the Texas Observer has uncovered even more irregularities and possible...
Read MoreJuly 12, 2024: We take care of us
Friday, July 12, 2024 Houston Federation of Teachers and Aldine AFT members hand out groceries at distributions events for their neighbors in need after Hurricane Beryl. We take care of us In the initial aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Texas AFT has worked with our local unions to distribute care packages...
Read MoreHurricane Beryl: Texas Impact, State Response, & Recovery Resources
Houston Federation of Teachers members hand out groceries in coordination with the Houston Food Bank on Thursday. HFT, Cy-Fair AFT, and Aldine AFT all opened their doors this week or hosted events for their neighbors in need after Hurricane Beryl. Jump to: Texas Disaster Relief Fund Resources for Recovery Hurricane...
Read MoreManufacturing Backlash: New AAUP Report Reveals Right-Wing Plan to Destroy Higher Education
A new AAUP report pinpoints Texas as a central battleground in the growing conflict over academic freedom in higher education.
Read MoreProfessional Development: Virtual Summit for Mexican American Studies
The National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies’ Tejas Foco Prek-12 Committee invites educators to attend the ninth-annual Mexican American Studies Virtual Summit on Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The purpose of the summit is to create a collective call to action with tangible steps...
Read MoreJuly 5, 2024: Democracy
Friday, July 5, 2024 If you are trying to explain or contextualize recent Supreme Court rulings for your own kids, or your students, this collection from AFT’s Share My Lesson is a start. Democracy. Given the Supreme Court’s unprecedented ruling in Trump v. United States, establishing immunity for presidents for...
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