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This Week in the Legislature: The Final Stretch of the 89th Session
As we enter the final days of the 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature, the clock is ticking. Here's where the most critical education bills stand, what they do, and what needs to happen next.
Read MoreSept. 1, 2023: Lawsuit Season
Friday, September 1, 2023 Barbie was the hit of the summer. And so are labor unions, as it turns out. Union Made Just before Labor Day, the U.S. Treasury has released a first-of-its-kind report, outlining all the ways that supporting unionization of American workers will benefit the economy and, specifically,...
Read MoreUnmasking Vouchers: Charter Schools Now PAC
Texas has become awash in dark money seeking to influence public education over the past several years. This dark money represents political and business agendas working to undermine our public schools and degrade the quality of public education in Texas and to advance privatization and vouchers.
Read MoreHFT Sues Over ‘Illegal’ Teacher Evaluation System, Wins Temporary Restraining Order
On Wednesday, the Houston Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against state-installed Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles and the appointed board of managers for illegally developing and implementing a new teacher evaluation system, which determines teachers’ employment situation and their compensation.
Read More7 ISDs Join Lawsuit Against A-F Rating System
Late this spring, at the height of legislative chaos, Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced that he would be updating the A-F accountability system for Texas school districts to raise the bar for meeting the college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) indicator. He also announced that these new standards would apply...
Read MoreJoin Texas AFT at the Texas Tribune Festival
Texas AFT is a proud sponsor of this year's Texas Tribune Festival in downtown Austin, Sept. 21-23. The programs features more than 100 unforgettable conversations on topics including:
Read MoreLegislative Round-Up: Bad Bills Going Into Effect
Today, Sept. 1, hundreds of laws passed by the Texas Legislature earlier this year go into effect. While some bills have already gone into effect and other bills have a deferred effective date, the vast majority of bills passed during the 88th legislative session go into effect today.
Read MoreAug. 25, 2023: The Rise of Educational Intimidation
Friday, August 25, 2023 Get your yard sign at store.texasaft.org. Use code BTS2023 at checkout for 25% off. All purchases serve as donations to our union’s political fund. The Rise of Educational Intimidation House Bill 900, the Legislature’s book-banning bill passed this year, was in court last week. A U.S....
Read MorePreview: State Board of Education’s August Meeting
The State Board of Education (SBOE) will hold its regular meeting in Austin next week. We will be closely watching several items, with special focus on those related to proposed science textbooks and charter schools.
Read More‘Which Union Should I Join?’
Every year when school starts, we see and hear the same question from educators and staff: “Which organization should I join?”
Read MoreJoin the Effort to Track Real Issues in Texas Schools
Our working conditions are our students' learning conditions. By taking care of our needs as employees, we ensure our students have what they need to succeed. Lawmakers in Austin have refused to give you a pay raise, just like they've refused to take up bills that would improve your day-to-day...
Read MoreYou’re Not A-Loan: AFT Student Debt Benefits
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling against the Biden Administration’s plan to cancel $10,000-20,000 in student debt for all federal student loan borrowers, the Department of Education has taken steps to provide 804,000 borrowers with automatic loan forgiveness. But there are several updates you need to be aware of....
Read MoreWe’re Hiring: Student Fellowship Available
The Bridges Fellowship Texas AFT is looking to develop the next generation of policy and communications experts in the labor and pro-public education movement. Each year, Texas AFT recruits hardworking self-starters to join the Bridges Fellowship. The Fellowship is named in honor of the late Linda Bridges, the president of...
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