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Urgent Call to Action: Texas House Public Education Committee Hearings on 08/12 and 08/13
The Texas House Public Education Committee is holding critical hearings on Monday, August 12 and Tuesday, August 13 on issues that are having or will have a profound impact on the future of public education in Texas. Perhaps most critically, the committee will consider the implementation of taxpayer-funded private school vouchers and the effect that the increasing quantity of uncertified...
Read MoreCommission Calls for Complete Overhaul of Community College Funding System
Last week, the Texas Commission on Community College Finance (CCCF) unanimously approved its recommendations to the Texas Legislature that legislators tie state funding to community colleges’ success in graduating students or helping them transfer to four-year universities. CCCF was established by the Legislature in the previous legislative session to make...
Read MoreStatement on NAEP Score Declines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 24, 2022 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on the release of national standardized testing scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress: “Our union of educators and school employees agrees with every parent and educator across the country: our students are...
Read MoreGov. Abbott Fills University Boards with His Campaign Donors, Highlights Need for Universities to Organize
New analysis published by the Texas Tribune this week highlights an apparent quid pro quo agreement between Gov. Greg Abbott and some of his top donors, who he has appointed to serve on Texas public university governing boards. Of the...
Read MoreICYMI: Texas Monthly Exposes a Plot to Funnel Texas Taxpayer Dollars to Private Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 20, 2022 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org ICYMI: Texas Monthly Exposes a Plot to Funnel Texas Taxpayer Dollars to Private Schools In the story about Wimberley ISD, reporter Forrest Wilder uncovers the shady dealings of charter school operators, right-wing consultants, and school voucher proponents. AUSTIN, Texas — On Tuesday,...
Read MoreSocial Security Administration Announces Historic 8.7% COLA to monthly benefits
This Thursday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that Social Security recipients would receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 8.7% to their monthly benefit checks beginning in 2023. The adjustment is expected to raise recipients’ monthly benefit payments by $146, up to an estimated average of $1,827 per month. ...
Read MoreEducators’ Union PAC Makes Ad Buy Against Gov. Greg Abbott for National Safe Schools Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 13, 2022 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Educators' Union PAC Makes Ad Buy Against Gov. Greg Abbott for National Safe Schools Week "What about a parent’s right to safe schools?” new ad asks. AUSTIN, Texas — One of Texas’ largest unions of teachers and school employees is making a...
Read MoreTRS Closes on $108 Million Sale of Downtown HQ
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) announced this week that it has officially closed on the sale of the agency’s headquarters in downtown Austin. TRS sold the 3.8-acre property, which had been the home of TRS since 1973, for $108 million. As a part of the sale, TRS will...
Read MoreTexas Supreme Court Hears Arguments in HISD Takeover Case
This Thursday, the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments on the Texas Education Agency’s attempted takeover of the Houston ISD school board. The case centers around the questions of whether the appointed commissioner of education and TEA have the legal authority to remove the elected Houston ISD school board and replace...
Read MoreDallas Morning News Op-Ed Explores School Voucher Failures Nationwide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 5, 2022 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org ICYMI: Dallas Morning News Op-Ed Explores School Voucher Failures Nationwide Vouchers have produced some of the “largest negative impacts on student learning.” So why do Texas politicians want them? DALLAS — On Wednesday, the Dallas Morning News published a well-timed op-ed from Dr....
Read MoreThe Texas Charter Con
This week, the Texas Charter Schools Association (TCSA) convened for their conference at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa. The three-day conference, which included a casino night, appropriately used the hashtag, #TXCharterCon. Followers of our Hotline and our Twitter account have seen some of these outrageous charter cons,...
Read MoreTexas AFT Member, President Testify at Uvalde Listening Session
(Left to right) State Senator Roland Gutierrez, Texas AFT President Zeph Capo, IDRA National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement Morgan Craven, and Texas AFT member Lorena Auguste testify at the Uvalde congressional listening session. This Monday, Texas AFT President Zeph Capo testified at a special Congressional listening session...
Read MoreTexas Lawmakers Discuss Vouchers, Firearms, and COLA at Texas Trib Fest
(Left to right) State Representatives Chris Turner, Senfronia Thompson, Rafael Anchia, and Mary González answer audience questions on a panel moderated by Texas Tribune Reporter Zach Despart (Center). This past weekend, the Texas Tribune hosted their annual Texas Tribune Festival in Downtown Austin. The three day festival included 120+ panels...
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