Featured News
Federal Reshuffle of the U.S. Department of Education: What Happens When Core Functions Are Scattered
When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) quietly signed six interagency agreements on Nov 18, transferring major functions to agencies including the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of State (State), the move didn’t come with a congressional vote. Nor did it come with a stakeholder comment period, public hearings, or...
Read MoreElection 2024: How School Funding, Pay Raises Fared in Austin ISD, Spring ISD Votes
Across the state, dozens of school districts held Voter-Approval Tax Rate Elections (VATREs) this week seeking to generate additional local and state revenue to provide educators and school employees with enhanced raises and help meet other pressing needs such as school safety and security. These VATREs are necessary because state...
Read MoreNo trust, no bond: Houston voters resoundingly reject HISD bond
In many ways, any school bond election is a referendum on trust. Do voters trust district leaders to appropriately use taxpayer dollars, numbering into the millions and billions, to improve the learning conditions of their kids?
Read MoreNov. 1, 2024: We vote for the well-being of our children
Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 Download shareable social media graphics at aftvotes.org. On Nov. 5, we vote for the well-being of our children. If you’re reading this, you know that Election Day is Tuesday. Hopefully, you have made your plan to vote and know the location of your polling place,...
Read MoreRep. Steve Allison Endorses Laurel Jordan Swift: A Commitment to Public Education
In an inspiring move that underscores his dedication to education in Texas, outgoing state Rep. Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) has officially endorsed Laurel Jordan Swift, a Democrat, in her campaign for the Texas House of Representatives. This endorsement is more than just a political gesture; it reflects a shared vision...
Read MoreIn a weekend of early voting action, Texas AFT members March to the Polls
In 2023, a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers rejected private school voucher scams that threatened to divert millions of taxpayer dollars from public schools to fund unaccountable private education. In the months since, out-of-state mega-donors and education privatizers have invested heavily in Texas elections in a painfully transparent attempt to...
Read MoreLast Day of Early Voting: Final Push Before Election Day
As we enter the final hours of early voting in Texas, more than 7.5 million voters have already cast their ballots, marking another historic election cycle in the Lone Star State. While this represents impressive participation by Texas’s standards, with about 40% of registered voters having made their voices heard,...
Read MoreNew Poll Shows Over 30% of Students Rule Out Texas Universities Because of Harmful Policies
sizeable percentage of students rule out certain states for higher education due to the state’s politics, according to the results of a new poll from the Art & Science Group LLC. Which state did most students rule out in the poll? Texas.
Read MoreMarc LaHood’s extreme policy positions will devastate public school funding in HD-121
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 30, 2024 CONTACT: Nicole Hill, press@texasaft.org Republican candidate who presumably hates California wants Texans to pay more in sales tax than Californians. SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Last week, local candidate for Texas House District 121 Marc LaHood spoke with Texas Public Radio about a number of...
Read MoreOct. 25, 2024: Your vote, your voice
Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 Your vote, your voice. The presidential election, along with all other consequential down-ballot races in Texas, is happening now. It ends Nov. 5. And it is taking place in a state where: Public schools are struggling to survive without any new funding from the state since...
Read MoreThis Weekend, March to the Polls with Texas AFT Local Unions
Left: San Antonio union members canvass on behalf of Texas AFT COPE-endorsed HD 118 candidate Kristian Carranza. Right: Dallas area union members canvass for Texas AFT COPE-endorsed HD 112 candidate Averie Bishop. Find all endorsements at vote.texasaft.org. In 2023, a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers rejected private school voucher scams...
Read MoreBiden Administration Announces That 1 Million Public Service Workers’ Debt Was Cancelled
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Over 1 Million Public Service Workers Have Received Student Debt Cancellation Under the Biden-Harris Administration On Oct. 17, President Joe Biden announced an additional $4.5 billion in student debt cancellation for over 60,000 borrowers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program; the news means...
Read MoreElection 2024 Spotlight: Re-Electing a Champion of Smaller Class Sizes, School Mental Health Resources in SD 27
As the 2024 election season heats up, Sen. Morgan LaMantia (D-Brownsville) stands out as a dedicated advocate for public education. Representing a diverse constituency, she has consistently prioritized the needs of students, teachers, and families throughout her tenure in the...
Read More