On Wednesday, a day that should have been spent taking in the afterglow (or afterburn) of the primary runoffs, the public education community was instead treated to increasingly eyebrow-raising news relating to the State Board of Education (SBOE)’s instructional materials and review process. Regular Hotline readers know of our...
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Earlier this month, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) held a long-awaited webinar in its House Bill (HB) 1605 series, Planning and Non-Instructional Duties of Teachers. The webinar provides an overview of the new statutory protections of planning time for classroom teachers and guidance on the supplemental duty agreement with a...
Read MoreEndorsing 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...
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To say this was a busy week for interim hearing work at the Legislature would be an understatement. This week alone, and in addition to two statewide board meetings, Texas AFT was monitoring and providing testimony in the following committees: House Select Committee on Youth Health & Safety Senate Education...
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Friday, August 30, 2024 50 Years in the Fight to Thrive: 2024 is Texas AFT’s 50th anniversary as a state federation. We’ve been fighting for thriving Texas public schools from the beginning. And we’ll be on the front lines in every fight to come over the next 50 years. Labor Day Seven...
Read MoreLegislative “Interim Charges”: What Are They and Why Do They Matter? The Texas Legislature meets once every two years for 140 days for its regular legislative session, during which the only bill it is required to pass and send to the governor’s desk to be signed into law is the...
Read MoreNext week, the Texas House Public Education Committee will hold critical hearings on Monday, Aug. 12, and Tuesday, Aug. 13. The committee will discuss key issues shaping public education's future in our state. These hearings provide an opportunity for us to make our voices heard and influence upcoming legislation. What...
Read MoreThe 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...
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The State Board for Educator Certification met in Austin on July 18-19. While this agenda was light on decision making, it was full of portents for future action by this body. Thursday, the SBEC conducted their annual work session. The day was divided into two major areas for discussion: Long-range...
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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...
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Friday, May 31, 2024 On Friday, May 24, the Houston Federation of Teachers worked with the Houston Food Bank (left) to distribute food and supplies to community members in need after the derecho. Houston Educational Support Personnel (right), meanwhile, delivered food, water, and disaster relief items to the Fifth Ward...
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On Wednesday, the Texas Education Agency revealed its first round of Open Education Resources mandated by House Bill 1605. The new curriculum, as reported by The 74, includes significant Christian references and materials.
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