Education Newsfeed

This week's news on higher education happenings and what's at stake during next week's House hearings.

Our overview of where things stand politically ahead of the 2026-27 school year and Texas AFT's resources and benefits to help you have a happy and healthy back-to-school period.

A primer on TEA's accountability ratings: their history, why they're used, why they're not the best barometer for a school's performance and what that all means for Austin ISD.

Governor Greg Abbott announced the membership of his Texas Classroom Commission, which includes former and current teachers. But questions about the commission's efficacy are still to be answered.

The first annual demographic report on Texas voucher accounts (TEFAs) reveals a complicated portrait of who's actually benefitting from these taxpayer-funded handouts.

Texas AFT's latest suite of endorsements in critical races, including the vacated SBOE District 4 seat.

The Lieutenant Governor enjoys broad power in Texas, particularly in the State Senate. Find out why Dan Patrick is the wrong choice for this position and Vikki Goodwin is the right person to replace him this November.

This week, we at Texas AFT launched our Open Letter to Our Elected Officials campaign, which will serve as our focus for the 2026 back to school season, November elections, and the 90th legislative session to come in 2027. The Open Letter covers a range of issues including school funding, wages, paperwork, freedom to teach, gun safety, behavioral support, mental health counseling, and more.

Just when it seemed Texas lawmakers had exhausted every possible way to insert religion into public education, Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick is asking them to find more. What could possibly be left to do?

July's SBEC meeting focused on several policy decisions from the future of National Board Certification to the rejection of an educator preparation program in the RGV.

SB 37's fallout and funding and curriculum changes forecast the higher education fight to come in 2027.

Amendments to open-enrollment charter schools will affect enrollment criteria and potentially undermine local control.

Texas AFT and the Texas AFL-CIO release their full slate of endorsement for the State Board of Education.

The Attorney General position has been among the main tools used by far-right groups and politicians to weaponize the law, especially against public and higher education. Who should come after Paxton? Nathan Johnson.

3% state agency funding cuts, despite exempting public education, will have consequences in the year to come.

Midland ISD is taking aim at recapture and Austin ISD is fighting shake off a potential TEA takeover. While their goals are different, both these challenges signal broader disgruntlement over local control and state intrusion.