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SB 13: Deep Dive into New School Library Restrictions
During the 89th legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 13, which significantly changes how public school libraries across the state select, review, and manage books and instructional materials. The law, which took effect on Sept. 1, creates new barriers to access and hands greater decision-making power to school boards and external, ostensibly parent-dominated councils. Supporters argue that SB...
Read More‘Doomed To Fail’: New Report Shows How Charter School Churn Harms Students They Purported to Help
Charter schools in Texas have become synonymous with instability, especially as the state has a 30-34% closure rate for charter schools according to a new report from the National Center for Charter School Accountability and the Network for Public Education.
Read MoreOct. 11, 2024: ‘I felt like I had been deserted’
Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 ‘I felt like I had been deserted’ The work our members do each day, whether in K-12 schools or in our colleges and universities, is noble, vital, and so often undervalued by the folks in charge. Their work is also increasingly dangerous, whether that’s the ever-present...
Read MoreThe Great Texas Property Tax Debacle
The Texas Legislature has shown itself to be incapable of walking and chewing gum at the same time, prioritizing property tax relief over fully funding public education in the past several years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, historic inflation, and record-breaking state budget surpluses. The implications for our public schools have...
Read MoreElection 2024 Spotlight: Winning Back an Anti-Voucher Vote in HD 138
Stephanie Morales, the Texas AFT COPE-endorsed candidate for Texas House District 138, is a passionate advocate for public education.
Read MoreElection 2024: Time is Running Out to Request Your Absentee Ballot!
With only 25 days until the Nov. 5 election, time is running out to request an absentee ballot! The deadline for your mail-in ballot application to be received by your county’s elections office is Friday, Oct. 25! In Texas, to request a mail-in ballot, you must meet one or more...
Read MoreOct. 4, 2024: ‘I’m a Union Guy’
Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 ‘I’m a Union Guy’ Tuesday’s Vice Presidential Debate was much less ... lively than the Presidential Debate, but there were still a few noteworthy moments. Specifically on the topic of trade and the economy, vice presidential candidate and Democratic governor of Minnesota Tim Walz proclaimed that...
Read MoreFact Check: No, There Is Not Rampant Voter Fraud in Texas
Texas voters received a significant victory for voting rights in federal court this past week when it ruled against a key provision of Texas’ anti-voter law, Senate Bill 1. The portion struck down is what the court refers to as ‘the canvassing restriction,’ which served no purpose but to illegally...
Read MoreElection 2024 Spotlight: State Board of Education Endorsements
Endorsing in State Board of Education races is a critical piece of our political work at Texas AFT. Those who attend our Educating Texas series have heard us speak regularly about the importance of this often-overlooked body of elected officials and the impact their decisions have on the daily lives...
Read MoreBiden’s New Executive Order Strengthens Educators’ Right to Safe Schools
In response to the escalating threat of gun violence in schools, with at least 50 this year, President Biden has signed a new executive order that directs federal agencies to combat emerging firearms threats and improve school-based active shooter drills.
Read MoreOctober 7th is the last day you can register to vote!
2024 is a presidential election year, with consequential down-ballot races across a Texas where: Public schools are struggling to survive without any new funding from the state since 2019. A flurry of bad bills from the 88th Legislature are now law, infringing on the freedom to learn and threatening our...
Read MoreSept. 27, 2024: Protecting the Freedom to Learn
Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 Protecting the freedom to learn It’s national Banned Books Week, though in Texas for the past several years, just about every week has been Banned Books Week. According to American Library Association data, in 2023, more than 1,470 titles were challenged in Texas, putting it behind...
Read MoreOur Advocacy Never Stops: Updates on Your Right to a Secure Retirement
Texas AFT continues to be busy at the Texas Capitol and before our state agencies advocating on a variety of issues. Continuing our coverage from last week’s Hotline, today we will focus on the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) joint budget hearing, interim House Pensions, Investments, & Financial Services...
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