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How Vouchers & Charter Schools Hurt Public School Funding: A Q&A with Dr. David Knight & Dr. David DeMatthews
Despite a resounding defeat in the 88th Legislature, private school vouchers will return as a major issue in the 89th Legislature, which begins Jan. 14. After pouring money into Republican primary races to defeat anti-voucher incumbents, Gov. Greg Abbott claims he has the votes he needs to pass a voucher program; meanwhile, both he and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick continue...
Read MoreRetired Texas Educators to Rally for Pension Increases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** MONDAY, April 24 at the Texas Capitol After two decades without a raise, retirees say they're not ready to settle for the crumbs of Texas' historic state budget. AUSTIN, Texas — Any educator who's retired in Texas since September 2004 is...
Read MoreApril 14, 2023: A Raise Bill is Finally Being Heard
Friday, April 14, 2023 Who exactly is this session for? McAllen AFT members and LUPE volunteers protest outside Gov. Greg Abbott’s voucher stop at Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen. Photo by Clarissa Riojas. Last week, the Texas House passed a budget without any provision for meaningful raises for school employees....
Read MoreHere’s what’s in school finance bill HB 100 — and what’s not.
A central demand of our Respect Agenda is a real raise for all public school employees: a minimum $10,000 for teachers and certified staff and at least 15% for paraprofessionals and support staff. Two bills that featured such raises — HB 1548 and HB 4586 — are gathering dust, waiting...
Read MoreRecap: This Week at the Legislature
The Texas Legislature was in full swing this week. Both the House and the Senate moved forward with legislation that, if passed, would have significant implications for public school educators, higher education employees, and retirees. Public Education: House Committee Hears Voucher Testimony, Senate Votes for Book Bans This week, the...
Read MoreBills to Watch: Vouchers up in House Public Education Committee on Tuesday
The Texas Legislature has another busy week ahead. Several bills will be considered in committee and debated on the floor. House Public Education Committee: Two Hearings in One Week For the first time this session, the House Public Education Committee will convene twice in one week. Both days will include...
Read MoreAFT Members Push Districts to Stand Up for More Funding, Against Vouchers
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MoreTexas AFT Joins with 100+ Orgs to Condemn Attacks on LGBTQIA+ Texans
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MoreLatest Updates on TEA’s Takeover of Houston ISD
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MoreEyes on the Board: SBOE to Review Charter School Rules, New Applicants
The State Board of Education (SBOE) met in Austin this week to discuss its regular agenda. This meeting was heavily administrative with the board receiving ethics training and revising its processes for standards revision and instructional materials review panel selection. One committee also received a lengthy progress report on school...
Read MoreApril 7, 2023: The House Budget Updates
Friday, April 7, 2023 We won’t settle for crumbs. Photo by Marianna Krueger, CCR Studios. We’ve turned this week’s Hotline over to Texas AFT President Zeph Capo for an update on some important moments at the Legislature and where we go from here. Yesterday was a good day for public...
Read MoreHighs, Lows for Public Education in House Budget Fight, Senate Votes
Yesterday was a busy and often chaotic day at the Legislature. The Texas House spent the day debating and, ultimately, approving its budget for the next two years with a vote of 136-10. The Texas Senate, meanwhile, debated and voted on Senate Bill 8, its primary voucher bill, and Senate...
Read MoreBills to Watch: Vouchers up in House Public Education Committee on Tuesday
Next Tuesday, several voucher bills will be considered by the House Public Education Committee. Texas AFT is categorically opposed to all efforts to divert public education funding away from public schools. Texas AFT encourages all community members who are able to testify or register against the voucher bills on Tuesday...
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