COVID-19 Resources

This pandemic isn’t over.

Here’s the information you need to protect and advocate for yourself and your colleagues.

Speak with a Union Representative
COVID-19 Tracker

Latest News: Vaccine Distribution & Texas Mask Mandate

In March, two announcements have changed the situation significantly for our schools.

Vaccine Priority for K-12 Employees

After months of advocacy from AFT and educators across the country, President Joe Biden has directed all states to prioritize K-12 school employees for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

If you work in a Texas public school, you are eligible to receive a vaccine now.

Providers like CVS and HEB, as well as health agencies statewide, have been directed to add educators and school employees to priority groups. You can find available appointments near you https://vaccinefinder.org/search/.

Governor Lifts Mask Mandate

Simultaneously, Gov. Greg Abbott has lifted the statewide mask mandate and allowed businesses to reopen at 100% capacity as of March 10.

For schools, however, the Texas Education Agency is leaving mask requirements in place. Local school boards, however, do have the authority to override those requirements if they so choose.

Now is the time to reach out to your school board and let them know the importance of keeping our campuses safe with continuing mask requirements.

Need to Know: Expiration of Federal Paid Leave

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) required employers to provide paid sick leave and expanded Family Medical Act Leave (FMLA) to employees for coronavirus-related illness or quarantine. That law expired Dec. 31, 2020, and Congress has not renewed its protections.  

Where does that leave you? And what if you face a situation with multiple required quarantines? Texas AFT believes districts need to step up and pass local policies that provide at least 80 hours (two regular weeks) of pay if employees are required to quarantine and can’t work remotely.  

 Many districts have passed local policies extending the 80 hours of leave provided by the FFCRA, and local unions like Cy-Fair AFT have successfully pushed for policies in their districts.  

What You Can Do

Unfortunately, not all districts have taken this local step. That’s why we’re equipping you with a simple template policy and letter to send to your administration and school board members urging them to do the right thing.

Your Rights as an Employee

Webinar Recordings

FMLA & ADA

General Know Your Rights Resources

Campus Safety Committees

Safety committees are an essential way to collect concerns from employees and hold leaders accountable. Check with your local union or your school nurse to see if your campus has one. If not, you can start one yourself with our toolkit.

Take Action


Submit a Report to the Texas AFT COVID-19 Tracker

Our tracking site collects crowdsourced reports of positive COVID-19 cases, safety violations, and employee stories at campuses across the state. Submit your report.

Talk to a Union Representative

We’re stronger when we work together. If you’re not yet a member of our union, use this form to contact an organizer for your area and learn more about our collective fight.

Find an Action Campaign

Our union is active on the national, state, and local levels. There’s always a way for you to get involved and raise your voice.

Download the Ask Texas AFT App

Members of our Associate Membership Program (AMP) can download our free mobile app, Ask Texas AFT. You can browse answers to common workplace questions — including COVID-19 concerns — or talk one-on-one with our experts.

Note: This app is also available for Houston Federation of Teachers members.

Reopening Plans/Guidance

Union Plans

TEA Guidance

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

In the News

Subscribe for Weekly Updates

Our weekly email newsletter, the Hotline, covers any and all topics of interest to Texas educators and school employees — including news and action campaigns related to COVID-19.

All COVID-19 news updates from Texas AFT, including past Hotline newsletters are available online. Below are statements, letters, and op-eds from Texas AFT.

Dallas Morning News Op-Ed: “Teachers union: It’s appalling that Texas leaders are ignoring health guidance to open schools.”

Open Letter to Gov. Abbott and Commissioner Morath on Commitment to School Safety

Washington Post: “Some states buck federal vaccine recommendations and prioritize the elderly over essential workers”