Socorro AFT members wave signs in support of public education and against school vouchers at a rally outside the Texas AFL-CIO on Monday. Photo by Mariana Krueger, CCR Studios. “When I say ‘respect,’ you say ‘us,’” said Zeph Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers, from a stage...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas Public School Employees Rally for ‘Respect’ in Austin After more than 500 teachers and school staff members met with legislators, Texas AFT plans to release research on Wednesday that outlines the true cost of respect for public schools. Texas AFT members...
Read MoreFully Funded, Fully Respected The Path to Thriving Texas Public Schools A joint report by Texas AFT & Every Texan The state of Texas spends roughly $3,314 less per student than the national average each yearAccording to data compiled by the Education Data Initiative, public schools nationally provide an average...
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Friday, March 3, 2023 ‘Respect for Those of Us Who Are the Foundation of Every School’ Saturday, March 4, is Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day, an important time to recognize the too-often-ignored contributions of the support staff who keep schools safe, clean, and usable for our kids. Too many of our...
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Recognizing Important Texans March is Women's History Month, an important time for educators and students to celebrate the achievements, brilliance, and legacies of the women who transformed society and paved the road for the struggle for equality that continues today. Each week of Women's History Month, Texas AFT will highlight a...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 24, 2022 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on the final report released by the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Vacancy Task Force: “We thank the task force for its work, and we especially want to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of the...
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One of our union's perennial priorities is fighting efforts to privatize our public education system, whether through the expansion of charter schools or new voucher schemes. Key Facts: Private School Vouchers Don't be fooled by the euphemism of "school choice." We already have “school choice” in our public schools, through...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 15, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on a leaked audio recording of the Texas Education Agency deputy commissioner advocating for school vouchers. “’Maybe that's one less fourth grade teacher.’ Is that how the conversation normally goes inside TEA? Inside...
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Source: Texas Parent PAC poll, May 2022 This past Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott delivered their inaugural addresses to the 88th Legislature in Austin. Both — for all their previous "linguistic gymnastics" — made one thing clear: a private school voucher push is coming. Now, we...
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Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Texas AFT offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 16. — Texas Legislature Texas AFT Takes Respect Agenda to the Capitol Texas AFT President Zeph Capo speaks at a press conference at the Capitol. Local AFT presidents and Rep....
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Our union has documented in detail the staffing crisis in Texas public schools, but our schools aren’t alone. Across the nation, questions remain on how to address all the issues fueling teacher and staff shortages, but paying teachers more would resolve many. The American Teacher Act, introduced in the U.S....
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State Sen. César Blanco writes a strong defense of public education in The Big Bend Sentinel, rightly pointing out that our rural schools cannot afford to lose any further funding to school voucher schemes. Texas May Revoke Largest Teacher Prep Program’s Accreditation After...
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