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Fact Check: Do Voucher Programs Really Increase Public School Funding?
Governor Abbott's “School Choice” Claims Don't Hold Up to the Facts Gov. Greg Abbott has recently made some bold claims about the impacts of voucher programs like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) on public school funding. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Abbott stated that, "In 97% of states with school choice programs, funding for public schools has gone UP"...
Read More5 Things to Watch for in 2024
In December, we looked back at the year that was — and all the highs, lows, and whoas for public education 2023 provided. Now we’re ready to look ahead to what promises to be a busy, uncertain year for our Texas public schools. 2024 is a presidential election year, with...
Read MoreNew Report Shines Light on Dark-Money Voucher Push
This past fall, Common Cause Texas, the state affiliate of the national democracy watchdog group, released a report highlighting the outsized influence that a small group of monied donors have on Texas politics, including public education policy. The report, “ALEC-tioneering: Unmasking Money and Influence in Texas Politics,” primarily focuses on...
Read MoreBill Targeting Diversity in Texas Higher Education Takes Effect
At Stephen F. Austin State University, a maintenance worker removes references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from display to comply with SB 17’s censure of DEI programs at Texas public universities. On Jan. 1, Senate Bill 17 by Sen. Brandon Creighton, which prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs...
Read MoreTexas Schools Win Federal Grants for Clean School Buses
The Clean School Bus Program, a pivotal part of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, will allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to invest $5 billion over the next five years to achieve more modernization in school bus fleets nationwide. Both the Department of Energy and Department of Transportation have prioritized...
Read MoreIDRA Study Highlights Ongoing Struggles Faced by Middle School Counselors
A decade after the Texas Legislature watered down graduation requirements through Texas House Bill 5, middle school counselors continue grappling with the challenges and demands required by this policy. A new study from IDRA, “School Counselors on College Advising Constraints,” highlights the repercussions of HB 5 for both counselor workloads...
Read MoreDec. 15, 2023: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 What a Year We are wrapping things up for 2023. Texas AFT offices will be closed from Thursday, Dec. 21 through Friday, Jan. 5. After one regular legislative session, four special sessions, and an election, we are all ready for a long winter’s nap. This will...
Read More2023 in Review: The Highs, Lows, & Whoas for Texas Public Schools
Photo by Mariana Krueger, CCR Studios. It seems like we say this every year now, but 2023 has been an interesting year for Texas public schools, as well as for everyone who works and learns in them. We say “interesting” deliberately. While it seems like there’s a flood of bad...
Read MoreTexas AFT Names New Secretary-Treasurer with Historic Appointment
2024 marks Texas AFT’s 50th anniversary as a statewide federation, and now we are marking another milestone: the appointment of the first Hispanic woman to hold one of our state federation’s elected leadership roles. Wanda Longoria, president of Northside AFT in San Antonio, will assume the role of Texas AFT...
Read MoreTRS Board Talks COLA, Pension Fund Health
Last Thursday and Friday, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees met for its final quarterly meeting of 2023. At this meeting, the board discussed the financial health of the TRS pension fund and the pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that will be applied to the checks of...
Read MoreSBOE Recap: All the Rubrics and Library Books
At the special called meeting of the State Board of Education (SBOE) on Dec. 13, the board discussion focused on HB 1605 requirements, specifically instructional materials review rules, processes, and rubrics, as well as the library collection development policy required by HB 900. The quality review rubrics are still under...
Read MoreSBEC Recap: Educator Preparation and Assessment Changes
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) met in Austin last week on Dec. 7-8. During this meeting, the board gave preliminary approval to two significant proposals affecting educator training and certification. Over the last several months, Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff have been engaged in a major update and...
Read MoreTexas AFT Names Wanda Longoria as Its New Secretary-Treasurer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 14, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org As the statewide union federation enters its 50th year, Longoria becomes the first Hispanic woman to serve as a Texas AFT officer. AUSTIN, Texas — 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Texas American Federation of Teachers, and now...
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