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Rebuttal to Governor Abbott’s False Narrative in the “2024 Report to the People of Texas” 

Gov. Greg Abbott's "2024 Report to the People of Texas" paints a picture of a state thriving economically, leading in job creation, and investing in its future. However, a critical analysis, especially from the perspective of public education and the decisions made by the 88th Texas Legislature, reveals significant gaps between the report's optimistic portrayal and the reality faced by...

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TRS Board Talks COLA, Pension Fund Health

Last Thursday and Friday, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees met for its final quarterly meeting of 2023. At this meeting, the board discussed the financial health of the TRS pension fund and the pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that will be applied to the checks of...

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SBOE Recap: All the Rubrics and Library Books

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At the special called meeting of the State Board of Education (SBOE) on Dec. 13, the board discussion focused on HB 1605 requirements, specifically instructional materials review rules, processes, and rubrics, as well as the library collection development policy required by HB 900.  The quality review rubrics are still under...

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SBEC Recap: Educator Preparation and Assessment Changes

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) met in Austin last week on Dec. 7-8. During this meeting, the board gave preliminary approval to two significant proposals affecting educator training and certification.    Over the last several months, Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff have been engaged in a major update and...

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Texas AFT Names Wanda Longoria as Its New Secretary-Treasurer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 14, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org   As the statewide union federation enters its 50th year, Longoria becomes the first Hispanic woman to serve as a Texas AFT officer. AUSTIN, Texas — 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Texas American Federation of Teachers, and now...

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Dec. 8, 2023: COLA Controversies

Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 You tracked your working conditions. Here’s what we learned. This fall, over 600 K-12 and higher education employees participated in Texas AFT’s Strive to Thrive working conditions project. It was the largest statewide effort of public school employees in Texas to document the real issues in...

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You tracked your working conditions. Here’s what we learned.

This fall, over 600 K-12 and higher education employees participated in Texas AFT’s Strive to Thrive working conditions project. It was the largest statewide effort of public school employees in Texas to document the real issues in our schools. Every week from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, participants tracked certain...

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SBOE: Public Comments Needed on Instructional Materials, Library Policy

Image reads: Eyes on the Board

The State Board of Education (SBOE) is holding a special called meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Ahead of that meeting, there are two important topics for Texas educators to weigh in on.  HB 1605: Instructional Materials Rubrics Among its agenda items, the board intends to review and approve the rubrics...

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Katy ISD Students File a Federal Complaint Against New ‘Gender Policy’

A student-led group called Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) is fighting back against Katy ISD’s new anti-trans policy. On Monday, Nov. 13, SEAT filed a formal discrimination complaint with the US Department of Education, citing Title IX violations and decrying the adverse effects of the policy on trans students....

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Statement on Election Lawsuits, Impact on Proposition 9

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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 4, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org   This past week, it was reported that at least six lawsuits have been filed challenging the results of November’s constitutional amendment election. Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented on these baseless accusations, made by known election deniers and conspiracy theorists, which threaten...

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Dec. 1, 2023: Thankful for the 84

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 Teaching the truth On Monday, Nov. 27, Texas State University officially dedicated the Shirley R. Harris Student Lounge, honoring a civil rights trailblazer and 40-year San Antonio educator.  Shirley Harris was the first Black graduate from the university (then known as Southwest Texas State College), earning...

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