259 Search Results for higher education

Statement on ‘Border Security’ Bill HB 4

Texas A-F-T logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 1, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented on House Bill 4, being heard today in the Senate Committee on Border Security, and its potential effects on public school students and employees: “Every day in Texas, educators are teaching an increasingly diverse population of...

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Statement on Gov. Abbott’s Expanded Agenda for 3rd Special Session

Texas A-F-T logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 31, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation expanding the rapidly ending third special session agenda to include school funding.   “You can drizzle the poison pill with honey, but it’s still poison. No deal on taxpayer-funded vouchers, which...

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Oct. 13, 2023: It’s not about the kids

Headline from The Texas Tribune and ProPublica that reads, "Texas took over its largest school district, but has let underperforming charter networks expand."

Friday, October 13, 2023 It’s not about the kids. Spoiler alert: The fight to privatize education isn’t about doing what’s best for kids. It never has been. It’s about turning a profit for wealthy investors and fueling Gov. Abbott’s national political ambitions.  An incredible piece from The Texas Tribune and...

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Statement on Gov. Abbott’s Agenda for a 3rd Special Session

Texas A-F-T logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 5, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation announcing a third special legislative session to begin Monday, Oct. 9. The call explicitly includes private school vouchers but makes no mention of badly needed funding increases for Texas public...

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Rumors Swirling About Start Date for Voucher Special Session

Texas has become awash in dark money seeking to influence public education over the past several years. This dark money represents political and business agendas working to undermine our public schools and degrade the quality of public education in Texas and to advance privatization and vouchers. 

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SBOE Recap: Buckle Up for a Long Haul

Image reads: Eyes on the Board

The State Board of Education (SBOE) met for its regular meeting Aug. 29-Sept. 1 with an unusually dense agenda.  Proclamation 2024 & Science Textbooks Adoption Tuesday began with a public hearing on Proclamation 2024, which includes instructional materials for many career and technical education courses (CTE). But all eyes were...

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Sept. 1, 2023: Lawsuit Season

Friday, September 1, 2023 Barbie was the hit of the summer. And so are labor unions, as it turns out. Union Made Just before Labor Day, the U.S. Treasury has released a first-of-its-kind report, outlining all the ways that supporting unionization of American workers will benefit the economy and, specifically,...

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Academic Freedom Under Fire At Texas A&M

The Texas A&M University System has been accused of making politically motivated attacks on the employment of two highly respected university professors.  These two separate cases of apparent political interference in the administration of one of Texas’ top public university systems comes in the wake of broad attacks against academic...

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A-F Accountability Ratings to be Released in September

Cover of a STAAR booklet with STAAR Logo (STAAR in the white of a Texas flag)

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced a timeline for release of the 2022-2023 state accountability ratings.  For some school districts, the new A-F ratings, which will be released to the public on September 28, 2023, will show that they are doing a worse job compared to last school year...

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Statement on Houston ISD Plans to Fill Staffing Gaps with Uncertified Teachers

Texas A-F-T logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 2, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo & Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson commented today on reports that Houston ISD’s state-installed superintendent will seek waivers from the Texas Education Agency to hire uncertified teachers: “Educators have been told throughout the process of...

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