Every week, Texas AFT compiles important news, updates, and information on public education policy in Texas. The Hotline covers a wide range of topics, including statewide education news, updates from the legislative session, and our current union campaigns.
Friday, April 7, 2023 We won’t settle for crumbs. Photo by Marianna Krueger, CCR Studios. We’ve turned this week’s Hotline over to Texas AFT President Zeph Capo for an update on some important moments at the Legislature and where we go from here. Yesterday was a good day for public education but a bad day for public school employees. I...
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Friday, May 5, 2023 How to ‘Appreciate’ Educators Sen. Roland Gutierrez and Sen. Morgan LaMantia meet with Texas AFT members and leaders at the Capitol on Monday. Photo by Sierra Wiggers. While many of their colleagues were struggling through STAAR testing with anxious students, 30 Texas teachers and school employees...
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Friday, April 28, 2023 Crumbs Aren’t Good Enough Photo by Marianna Krueger, CCR Studios The state of Texas has a budget surplus that is itself larger than the entire budget of 24 states, and yet both active school employees and retired educators have been forced this session to come, hat...
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Friday, April 21, 2023 Picking winners and losers San Antonio Alliance member Teresa Razo and Northeast Houston AFT member Tammy Reyes meet with a representative from Rep. Greg Bonnen’s office this past Tuesday. This week, the Texas House Public Education Committee took up the very important work of debating whether...
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Friday, April 14, 2023 Who exactly is this session for? McAllen AFT members and LUPE volunteers protest outside Gov. Greg Abbott’s voucher stop at Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen. Photo by Clarissa Riojas. Last week, the Texas House passed a budget without any provision for meaningful raises for school employees....
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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...
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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...
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Friday, March 17, 2023 Respect Public Schools. Reject School Vouchers. Socorro AFT members wave signs in support of public education and against school vouchers at a rally outside the Texas AFL-CIO on Monday. Photo by Mariana Krueger, CCR Studios. “When I say ‘respect,’ you say ‘us,’” said Zeph Capo, president...
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Friday, March 10, 2023 This week is National School Social Worker Week, and we should all take a moment to lift up these employees who help our kids face some of their toughest challenges. We know students bring a lot with them to school every day, that’s why having dedicated...
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Friday, March 3, 2023 ‘Respect for Those of Us Who Are the Foundation of Every School’ Saturday, March 4, is Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day, an important time to recognize the too-often-ignored contributions of the support staff who keep schools safe, clean, and usable for our kids. Too many of our...
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Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 Strong Public Schools Need Empowered Educators No decisions about Texas school employees should be made without the input of Texas school employees. That’s our message to the Texas Legislature, and it's the subject of our newest union T-shirt! Buy yours at store.texasaft.org and help fuel our...
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Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 The Campaign to Defund Public Schools Picks Up Steam This has been a whirlwind week in the world of Texas education. We’ll cover much of it in this newsletter (TEA scandal! State of the State! Dan Patrick’s priorities!), but the main theme: vouchers and their impact...
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This week's Hotline is sponsored by Texas AFT corporate supporter Horace Mann. Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 Shining a Spotlight on School Counselors To honor National School Counseling Week, we’ve given the top spot in today’s Hotline to a Texas school counselor. My name is Jessica Pecina Lopez, and I am...
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