Featured News
How Vouchers & Charter Schools Hurt Public School Funding: A Q&A with Dr. David Knight & Dr. David DeMatthews
Despite a resounding defeat in the 88th Legislature, private school vouchers will return as a major issue in the 89th Legislature, which begins Jan. 14. After pouring money into Republican primary races to defeat anti-voucher incumbents, Gov. Greg Abbott claims he has the votes he needs to pass a voucher program; meanwhile, both he and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick continue...
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...
Read MoreSBOE Preview: New Charter Schools up for Consideration
The State Board of Education (SBOE) convened in Austin from June 25-28 to consider new charter school applications, their funds distribution for the next biennium, and several topics related to work on continuing standards review. Instructional Materials Tuesday has become, more or less, “instructional materials day” in the boardroom. The...
Read MoreSupport the CHARTER Act: Protect Public Education
Recent analysis by Texas AFT has revealed the growing financial strain of charter school expansion on Texas public schools. In the 2023-2024 school year alone, Texas public school districts are estimated to have lost over $3.6 billion in revenue due to charter transfers, affecting at least 325 districts across the...
Read MoreCountdown to AFT Convention in Houston
Texas AFT Celebrates 50th Anniversary Texas AFT and our Houston area locals are honored to host our fellow AFT members from across the nation for our union’s 88th convention later this month. The AFT convention is the highest authority of our union and demonstrates union democracy at work. The convention...
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