David DeMatthews, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas, and David S. Knight, associate professor of education finance and policy at the University of Washington, broke down school voucher rhetoric in the Houston Chronicle this week. The Legislature may be adjourned (for...
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The Texas Legislature has yet to reach an agreement on property tax relief, but there have been significant developments in the past week.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Senator Roland Gutierrez to Receive Acts of Courage Award From Texas AFT The award will be presented to the state senator from Uvalde for his dedication to the safety of Texas students, educators, and communities. AUSTIN, Texas — For his relentless advocacy...
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Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson speaks at a community protest prior to the board meeting. On Thursday, June 8, the Texas Education Agency’s hand-picked board of managers, which replaces Houston ISD’s democratically elected school board, met for the first time. Before the meeting, members of the board of...
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Yesterday, the Texas Education Agency announced its takeover of HISD, ousting a democratically elected board and installing a selected board of managers, including charter CEO Mike Miles (more on that below). Despite great academic progress made in the last year, and an overall acceptable rating in 2023, TEA chose to...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented Thursday on House Bill 1, the state budget, which, after negotiations in conference committee, contains no increase to the basic allotment for students and no raises for public school employees: “Is this a joke? Congratulations to...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 24, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas legislators have a choice: increase public school funding or bankroll private school vouchers Amendments to two key bills in the last days of session set up key decision for lawmakers AUSTIN, Texas – In the early hours of the morning, the...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT and Every Texan commented Wednesday on the $16 billion fiscal note for CSHB100 and its private school voucher over the next five years. Both organizations published research jointly this spring that indicated the cost of across-the-board raises for Texas school...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Landslide Rejection: Rural Texas House Districts Soundly Oppose Texas Voucher Schemes, Reveals Latest Polling Senators jeopardize teacher pay raises with new voucher language, as opposition solidifies in the House AUSTIN, Texas –...
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Texas AFT President Zeph Capo and special education teachers Konrad Wert and Andrea Bell meet with staff in Rep. Ken King’s office about House Bill 100 on Tuesday. The Texas House voted on several of the most consequential public education...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Retirees expressed gratitude for the Legislature’s current proposals but emphasized they aren’t nearly enough to keep their colleagues fed, housed, and healthy. Texas AFT Secretary-Treasurer Ray McMurrey speaks at a press conference...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** MONDAY, April 24 at the Texas Capitol After two decades without a raise, retirees say they're not ready to settle for the crumbs of Texas' historic state budget. AUSTIN, Texas — Any educator who's retired in Texas since September 2004 is...
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