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SB 13: Deep Dive into New School Library Restrictions
During the 89th legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 13, which significantly changes how public school libraries across the state select, review, and manage books and instructional materials. The law, which took effect on Sept. 1, creates new barriers to access and hands greater decision-making power to school boards and external, ostensibly parent-dominated councils. Supporters argue that SB...
Read MoreSpecial Session Update: Despite Gov. Abbott’s Posturing, No Deal on Vouchers
Late last Thursday, after weeks of almost no action from the House on vouchers, Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Killeen), chairman of the House Public Education Committee, quietly filed House Bill 1, a voucher bill that includes some limited public education funding increases.
Read MoreRetired Educators Keep up the Fight for COLA Heading to Election Day, Despite Low Voter Turnout
This week — the first week of early voting in Texas’ statewide constitutional elections — retired educators across Texas showed up at the polls in force in support of Proposition 9, which will provide some retired educators with their first pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
Read MoreAdvocates Representing Over 4 Million Educators, 1,000 Higher Education Institutions Fight Back Against Attacks on Freedoms
AFT President Randi Weingarten, Network for Public Education President Diane Ravitch, and National Education Association President Becky Pringle spoke together at a conference keynote session. This past weekend, representatives from Texas AFT and the Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT) attended...
Read MoreWith New Congressional Leadership, Voucher Peddlers Take Their Grift to D.C.
Last week, congressional Republicans finally chose a Speaker of the House after weeks of intra-party fights. Since far-right Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) successfully ousted fellow Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Oct. 3, Congress had been at a virtual standstill. Despite their majority, Republicans had been unable to settle on a...
Read MoreHelp Shape The Future of Education in Texas: 2 Ways You Can Speak Up About Curriculum, Assessment Changes
As the third special session winds down, educators can continue to make a difference for public education in numerous ways statewide. It is critical that our members participate in ongoing conversations at decision-making tables to ensure that public education continues...
Read MoreTEA’s New School Rating System Blocked in Court
A lawsuit filed by Texas public school districts against the Texas Education Agency’s proposed revision of the school accountability rating system has clocked its first court victory. Late last week, a Travis County judge temporarily blocked TEA from releasing this year’s school ratings, which would have the revised standards retroactively...
Read MoreLow Wages, No Respect: New AFT Report Highlights the Struggles of Adjunct Professors
A new national adjunct faculty survey from the American Federation of Teachers underscores the continuing crisis faced by millions of contingent workers at the nation’s colleges and universities—with little improvement to poverty wages and untenable conditions in the wake of the pandemic. AFT’s latest Army of Temps report, the third...
Read MoreStatement on ‘Border Security’ Bill HB 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 1, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented on House Bill 4, being heard today in the Senate Committee on Border Security, and its potential effects on public school students and employees: “Every day in Texas, educators are teaching an increasingly diverse population of...
Read MoreStatement on Gov. Abbott’s Expanded Agenda for 3rd Special Session
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 31, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation expanding the rapidly ending third special session agenda to include school funding. “You can drizzle the poison pill with honey, but it’s still poison. No deal on taxpayer-funded vouchers, which...
Read MoreOct. 27, 2023: Have you voted?
Friday, October 27, 2023 Have you voted? Early voting continues across Texas for the Nov. 7 election. Next week through Friday, Nov. 3, you have the opportunity to cast your vote for various important measures that will shape the future of your community and state. Statewide Measures Texans everywhere will...
Read MoreOct. 20, 2023: Power in Solidarity
Friday, October 20, 2023 Shoulder to Shoulder There is a reason so many people in power want you to believe unionizing in Texas is illegal. (It’s not.) There is a reason they want you to think there are no unions for teachers and school staff. (There are. We are one.)...
Read MoreRetired Educators Hit the Polls to Win First Pension COLA in Nearly 2 Decades
This week — the first week of early voting in Texas’ statewide constitutional elections — retired educators across Texas showed up at the polls in force in support of Proposition 9, which will provide some retired educators with their first pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
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