Featured News
This Week in the Legislature: Is This ‘Teacher Appreciation?’
On Saturday, surrounded by many of the Republican lawmakers he threatened along the way, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law his long-sought private school voucher program.
Read MoreTexas AFT Membership Survey Results a “Disaster Declaration” for Public Education
As Texans vote in party primaries where public education and private school vouchers are front and center, Texas AFT has now released the results of our latest annual membership survey. The results — what you, our members, told us — are making headlines across the state.
Read MoreTexas Earns a ‘D’ Grade in New Public Schools Report, Barely Escaping Failure
This week, the Network for Public Education, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening public schools across the country, published a report grading each state’s commitment to public education. This report, Public Schooling in America: Measuring Each State’s Commitment to Democratically Governed Schools, is the latest in a series assessing each state’s...
Read MoreFederal Judge Blocks Extreme Anti-Immigrant Law, Texas Senate Bill 4
In a significant victory for immigrant rights advocates, a federal court in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction blocking Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB 4, “one of the most extreme anti-immigrant laws ever passed by any state legislature in the country” according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of...
Read MoreTexas Judge Rules Barbers Hill ISD Didn’t Violate CROWN Act, Can Suspend Student for Hair Length
Since Aug. 31, 2023, Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School, has been suspended for wearing his hair in locs. Despite the passage of a Texas version of the CROWN Act, which went into effect in September, Barbers Hill ISD has argued that the length of Darryl’s locs,...
Read MoreA Letter from Your Union President
I want to be honest and upfront with you. The consequences of the fast-approaching Republican and Democratic primary elections are especially high for educators and dire for our students.
Read MoreIndicted Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Denton ISD Over Alleged Electioneering
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Denton ISD, alleging two administrators violated the Texas Election Code.
Read MoreTexas AFT Survey Results a ‘Disaster Declaration’ for Public Education
After a year of legislative inaction and gubernatorial bullying, Texas AFT member survey finds 75% of K-12 school employees experiencing burnout, 69% of educators looking to leave, but also hope with 92% of educators declaring they are ready to vote.
Read MoreFeb. 23, 2024: Early Voting Kicks Off
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 Could you use some good news? Because we could use some good news. Here at Texas AFT, we bring you need-to-know information on the state of public education in Texas with every Friday’s Hotline. And we are acutely aware that, by and large, the news we...
Read MoreSBEC Recap: Major Changes Approved for Educator Preparation
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) met for its first regular meeting of the year on Feb. 16 in Austin.
Read MoreWave of Layoffs Hitting Public Schools in State with $32.7 Billion Surplus
A growing number of Texas public schools are confronting a wave of layoffs and budget cuts, highlighting a statewide crisis of chronic underfunding exacerbated by political decisions at the highest levels. Canutillo, Spring Branch, and Fort Worth Independent School Districts (ISDs) are among those facing dire financial constraints, leading to...
Read MoreIndifferent and Irresponsible: the disastrous first 50 days of Texas’ anti DEI law
The core purpose of this law, according to the bill text, is to stop institutions of higher education from “promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity,” but the implementation of the bill has revealed its practical, perhaps intentional, effect:...
Read MoreFeb. 16, 2024: Cut to the Bone
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 Gov. Greg Abbott held yet another of his voucher rallies last week in San Antonio. Our members, active and retired, were there to greet him. Cut to the Bone Fact: Texas has a significant crisis of retaining teachers and qualified school staff. Another fact: Texas...
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