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Education Newsfeed
Texas public education news and updates on our union's work, written and edited by Texas AFT staff.
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A tale of two districts and the question of local control
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.


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.
4 days ago


A tale of two districts and the question of local control
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.
4 days ago


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


Ballot spotlight: Texas Railroad Commissioner
Underreported and underappreciated, the Railroad Commissioner does have a role to play in education and keeping a dangerous candidate out of that office is crucial.
Jul 10


Texans are getting more skeptical of data centers and that matters for school funding.
Polling shows growing concern about data center construction in the Lone Star State. Data centers can be a drain on local resources - including school funding.
Jun 26


Texas earned an F in public education. Are state leaders paying any attention?
Texas received an F from the Network for Public Education for its commitment to public schools. Here's why.
Jun 20
Texas schools are approaching a fiscal cliff, leaving many districts out of options
School districts across Texas are heading into one of the most difficult budget cycles in years, with administrators warning that many districts are nearing a fiscal cliff driven by declining enrollment, inflation, expiring federal funds, rising insurance and healthcare costs, and holes in a school funding system that still haven’t fully caught up with the realities districts are dealing with. Some public finance analysts estimate that at minimum, 40% of Texas districts co
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


Texas schools are losing students and teachers. The numbers are starting to catch up.
Attendees gather at the 2023 Public Education Advocacy Day, rallying with signs for respect for public schools. Photo by: CCR Studios. For years, conversations about Texas public schools have revolved around test scores, accountability ratings, vouchers, and curriculum fights, but two newer sets of numbers tell a different story about what is happening inside schools across the state. Texas is losing students before graduation, and at the same time, schools are struggling to
May 22


What to expect with the House Public Education Committee interim hearing
The House Public Education committee will meet in Austin Monday, May 11 for the first of at least a few hearings to discuss their interim charges for the 89th Legislature.
May 8


New report reinforces what we already know about investing in K-12 education
A new report reveals what we know to be true – financial investment in public education does matter and Texas isn’t doing enough of it.
Mar 20


Texas AFT COPE Endorses Hinojosa for Governor, Garibay to Replace Her in Texas House
Texas AFT’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) is proud to endorse Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor and Montserrat Garibay to take Hinojosa’s state House seat in Austin (HD-49).
Dec 12, 2025


Election 2025: In a high-profile off-year election, nearly 3 million Texans turn out
This week, election results nationwide resulted in decisive wins for candidates in local and state races who focused on real, quality-of-life issues over divisive partisan politics. In Texas, too, several local races underlined the same trend, with record off-year election turnout.
Nov 7, 2025


Educators square the 2025 election results in Texas
While tax rate elections and bonds by and large failed to pass on Election Day, pro-public education candidates surged in major school board races.
Nov 6, 2025


El Paso voters oppose Socorro ISD school funding proposal
Prop A would have generated $49 million for the district without raising the tax rate
Nov 5, 2025
Your Questions About HB 2 & School Funding Answered
When lawmakers rolled out House Bill 2 in the 89th Legislature, they promised a historic investment in public education. As the bill worked its way through the legislative process, the contents of the bill changed repeatedly, and educators across Texas were left wondering what actually ended up in the final version. Now that HB… [ more ]
Jul 24, 2025


Texas House denies voters a say in private school voucher scams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2025 CONTACT: Nicole Hill, press@texasaft.org Governor Abbott calls in President Trump to bail him out with his own caucus. AUSTIN, Texas – Today, the Texas House gave initial approval to Senate Bill 2, the private school voucher scam legislation. Never one to fight his own battles, Governor Greg Abbott relied… [ more ]
Apr 17, 2025


Texas House kicks the can down the road again on school funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2025 CONTACT: Nicole Hill, press@texasaft.org Small increase to the basic allotment means underfunded schools will continue to struggle. AUSTIN, Texas – Today, the Texas House of Representatives gave initial approval to House Bill 2, its attempt at a school finance bill. Both the process and the substance of the bill… [ more ]
Apr 16, 2025


‘Don’t Arizona Our Texas’
In his relentless quest to pass a private school voucher scheme in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott is calling in reinforcements.
Mar 25, 2025
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