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Education Newsfeed
Texas public education news and updates on our union's work, written and edited by Texas AFT staff.
Featured news:


Labor Day: a celebration of worker power
Labor and unions are on the upswing in the 2020s. After decades of suppression by governments and misinformation from think tanks, Americans are waking up to their collective power and joining unions all over this great country.


House committee discusses the state of childcare in Texas
A sprawling and inefficient state apparatus is responsible for childcare resources in Texas, which HB 4903 aims to address. The issue is of paramount importance in a cost-of-living crisis.
1 day ago


Abbott wants H-1B teachers out of Texas public schools. Districts say they’re filling jobs Texans aren’t.
H-1B visa holders make up less than half a percentage point of all Texas teachers, but they fill important gaps in urban districts - the Governor's proposal is unnecessarily cruel and solves no problems while making the staffing crisis worse.
Aug 28


SB 571 is in full effect. Here’s what Texas educators need to know.
SB 571 and its long tail of regulatory and accountability changes have caused some confusion about what educator misconduct means and concerns over due process.
Aug 21


A look under the hood: TEA gets an audit
A legislature-mandated audit of TEA from the Texas State Auditor's office reveals management bloat and dodgy oversight of charter schools.
Aug 21


Research competitiveness set as a priority for House Higher Education Committee
Research competitiveness isn't just a talking point on a college's brochure. Attacks on research have had real lasting impacts as we are seeing with disease outbreaks and regulatory failures. What will the House Higher Ed Committee have to say about it?
Aug 21


People’s Hearing hosts faculty & students, and upcoming higher ed hearings to show what’s in store
This week's news on higher education happenings and what's at stake during next week's House hearings.
Aug 13


Texas Classroom Commission members announced
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.
Aug 7


First voucher report raises more questions than it answers
The first annual demographic report on Texas voucher accounts (TEFAs) reveals a complicated portrait of who's actually benefitting from these taxpayer-funded handouts.
Aug 7


Texas AFT endorses in SBOE District 4 race, state house, U.S. Congress
Texas AFT's latest suite of endorsements in critical races, including the vacated SBOE District 4 seat.
Aug 7


How much further can Texas push religion into public schools?
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?
Jul 31


A new chapter: TEA’s charter school rules explained
Amendments to open-enrollment charter schools will affect enrollment criteria and potentially undermine local control.
Jul 31


Ballot spotlight: Texas Attorney General
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.
Jul 24


Agency cuts forecast a big funding fight in the 90th legislative session.
3% state agency funding cuts, despite exempting public education, will have consequences in the year to come.
Jul 24


Gov. Abbott launches Classroom Commission as educators look for action
The announcement of Abbott's TX Classroom Commission might be an opportunity for educators to have a seat at the table, but many ask whether policymakers will listen.
Jul 10


Texas AFT urges serious action after Governor Abbott’s announcement of a Texas Classroom Commission
Texas AFT's response to the creation of the Texas Classroom Commission.
Jul 8


Rules for thee, but not for me
Houston Chronicle’s Nusaiba Mizan recently uncovered some breaking news tucked away in this week’s Houston ISD Board of Managers agenda: The board intended to seek a waiver of state superintendent certification requirements for Mike Miles for the third time since Miles and the state took over HISD. Superintendent certification is important for many of the same reasons educator certification is important. This is neither a cushy vanity position nor an entry-level job. Alon
Jun 5


House Public Education Committee Interim Hearing: HB 2 Redux
The House Public Education committee met in Austin on Mon., June 1 to take up three charges all related to House Bill (HB) 2: Implementation of HB 2 Teacher Recruitment and Retention Investment in Special Education This was a 231-page bill, so the hearing to assess its impact during 2026-2026 was proportionately long. Stay with us, readers. Implementation of HB 2 The first panel represented Texas Education Agency (TEA) leadership and went through each of the articles
Jun 4


Legislative update: House Public Education Committee to hold second interim hearing
A look ahead to the June 1st House Public Education Committee's second interim hearing of the year.
May 29


Educator-backed candidates hit near-clean sweep in Texas primary runoff elections
Most Texas AFT-endorsed candidates emerged victorious in Tuesday’s primary runoff elections and will head to a general election - one that has great consequences for public education.
May 29


House Public Ed. interim hearing and the "state of education."
The House Public Education Committee met on May 11 to address two parts of their interim charges list: HB 1481 and the State of Education. But also looming over the hearing was the specter of enrollment drops.
May 15
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