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This Week in the Legislature: House Rolls Out Bills to Fundamentally Change Public Education in Texas
The Texas House made news last week with a new slate of committee assignments that will determine the fate of the Educator’s Bill of Rights and other critical education policies, including school finance, teacher and school staff pay, and private school vouchers (ESAs).
Read MoreMarch 31, 2023: It Happened Again.
Friday, March 31, 2023 The Legislature Sends Its Thoughts & Prayers. A memorial for the children and teachers killed by a shooter at Robb Elementary It happened again Monday. At this point, you likely don’t need an explanation of “it.” On Monday, a shooter armed with two assault-style rifles...
Read MoreProposed House Budget Does Not Include Teacher, School Employee Raises
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org As the House plans to debate the budget Thursday, educators’ union president asks, “What should we expect next — an actual slap in the face?” AUSTIN, Texas — At a time that the state of Texas has an unprecedented $188.2 billion in...
Read MoreRecap: This Week at the Legislature
This week, committees of the Texas Legislature considered bills that had dramatic implications for public education, higher education, and retired educators. Public Education: House Committees Consider Charter School Expansion & LGBTQIA+ Pride Bans, Senate Committee Debates Instructional Materials & Book Bans This past week the Texas House considered two bills...
Read MoreNext Week in the Legislature: Bills to Watch
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read More‘Stand Up, Fight Back’: Houston Educators, Parents Rally Against TEA Takeover as Questions Go Unanswered
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MoreBill Introduced in Congress Would Reduce Standardized Testing Requirements
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MoreMarch 24, 2023: Voucher Marathon Week in the Lege
Friday, March 24, 2023 Expectations vs. Reality This week in Texas education news has been a real study in the difference between expectations and cold hard reality — and not just at the Capitol. In Houston, the Texas Education Agency hosted its first community meetings after its announced takeover...
Read MoreWhat’s in the Teacher Vacancy Task Force Report? Training and Support
This is the final of three deep dives we will take into the final report from the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Vacancy Task Force. The recommendations from the report fell into three broad categories: CompensationWorking Conditions Training & Support We took a brief pause after covering topics related to compensation...
Read MoreIn Takeover Meetings, TEA Hears (More Than Expected) from Community
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MoreThis Week At the Legislature: Committees Consider Vouchers, Book Bans, TRS COLA, and more
This week, committees of the Texas Legislature considered bills that had dramatic implications for public education, higher education, and retired educators. Public Education: Senate Considers Vouchers & Teacher Working Conditions, House Considers Book Bans, Curriculum Regulation, and School Funding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJxPaiper5Q Texas AFT President Zeph Capo provides testimony opposing vouchers to...
Read MoreTexas AFT Supports Phyllis Ruffin for TRS Board of Trustees
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MoreIt’s Fully Funded Public Schools, or It’s Vouchers. It Can’t Be Both.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org The Texas Senate cannot have its tax-funded cake and eat it too — not at the expense of 5.5 million Texas public school students. AUSTIN, Texas — One day after a smaller-than-advertised crowd “rallied” support for school privatization legislation at the Capitol,...
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