Featured News
July 12, 2021: 13th check moves forward; More foolishness on “critical race theory”; Voter suppression, and the full scoop on the special session
Special session kicks off: Bills providing 13th check for TRS retirees are moving forward And more on ‘critical race theory’ Texas AFT retirees at the Capitol testifying in favor of a 13th check. Pictured, from left, are Lydia Lydia Carrillo-Valdez, Ralph Cruzan, Becky Ovalle, Rita Runnels, and Phyllis Ruffins. Gov. Greg Abbott finally published his legislative agenda Wednesday for the...
Read MoreJune 28, 2021: SBOE vetoes 4 new charter schools, special session date set
SBOE vetoes 4 of 7 new charter applicants The commissioner of education approved seven new charter applicants in June, and the State Board of Education last week had the opportunity to hear from each to determine whether to allow or veto each application. After these hearings, SBOE denied four of...
Read MoreJune 21, 2021: Gov. signals more legislation on race curriculum; Local unions win pay raises; Take action to stop charter expansion
Texas AFT will be holding its virtual state convention on Friday and Saturday. You can follow highlights and news from the convention on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Tell our State Board of Education to reject charter expansion One...
Read MoreJune 14, 2021: The intersection of immigration and education advocacy; Immigrant Heritage Month; Voter registration
Texas AFT Higher Education Committee explores the 'Intersection of Immigration and Education' “We do this work because the experiences of our students and our wider community, and our work can not be separated.” That sentiment from Karen Reyes, an Austin...
Read MoreJune 7, 2021: TEA releases remaining federal relief dollars to school districts … with a catch
TEA releases remaining federal relief dollars to school districts — with a catch After months of urging by our union and Texas education organizations, the Texas Education Agency announced Thursday that districts could begin applying for their shares of the remaining federal COVID-19 relief owed to Texas schools. This...
Read MoreMay 31, 2021: Walkout stops voter suppression bill; How public ed fared in the session
Walkout by Democratic reps kills voter suppression bill, but governor guarantees a revisit in special session Empty chairs last night signaled a Democratic walkout. Fighting an expansive voter suppression bill to the last minute, Democratic House members staged a walkout late Sunday evening, breaking the quorum needed for a...
Read MoreMay 24, 2021: Bill limiting free speech in classrooms passes both chambers; A full update heading into last week of the session
Bill limiting free speech in the classroom passes both chambers Sen. Borris Miles of Houston making points in opposition to HB 3979 on the Senate Floor Friday. Watch select video clips of the debate. A bill we opposed, HB 3979...
Read MoreMay 17, 2021: Take action to stop state takeovers; Charter school bills derailed; A-F bill fails, but is inserted in takeover bill
ACTION ALERT! Say no to state takeovers: SB 1365 gives the commissioner of education 'final and unappealable power' Some in the Legislature want to make it easier for the state to take over a school district. Educators defeated House Bill...
Read MoreMay 10, 2021: Lawmaker uses children for retaliation in schools bill; STAAR bill on the move; Fresh fruit and veggies delivered to kids
ACTION ALERTS! The latest threat to educators: HB 3979, which could be heard on the House floor today. This bill limits the free speech and ideas of teachers, students, and state agency employees. The prohibitions in the bill are broad...
Read MoreMay 3, 2021: State releases federal aid–finally; Charter founder with TX ties charged with theft; Bills propose to nix investigations of charters; the complete #txlege wrap-up
Texas AFT thanks teachers for their hard work and dedication, especially during this challenging school year. Here’s a popular list of freebies and discounts to celebrate teachers this week. State leadership finally releases federal funds to schools Legislators begin work...
Read MoreApril 26, 2021: House budget bolsters #StopTheSwap; Teacher pay raises preserved; Big salary win in Socorro
Texas AFT Twitter storm helps push #StopTheSwap amendment to passage House budget also would put Legislature at the helm of distributing fed funds, prohibit private-school vouchers As the House went through a lengthy debate to pass its version of the...
Read MoreApril 19, 2021: Morath says sorry for STAAR glitches; TRS update for retiree summer work; Update on federal funds for #txed;
Charter fact of the week: Charter schools enroll 6% of Texas students but receive 16% of state funding. Learn more facts on why charters are a threat to true public education. Charter bill backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick...
Read MoreApril 12, 2021: TRS bills address pension COLAs; STAAR = CRASH; Full legislative update
While state leadership fiddles, billions intended for schools face uncertain future Add your voice to #StopTheSwap Texas AFT President Zeph Capo spoke on Facebook Live this past Tuesday to lay out the case for the Legislature to get moving and send $17.9 billion in federal pandemic aid to our schools....
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