Education News
April 17, 2025
Voucher bill a slap in the face for millions of Texas children
Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina released the following statement:
We are deeply disappointed that the House majority voted for a voucher bill that is an attack on public schools and a slap in the face for millions of Texas students. This bill will make it more difficult for these children and their educators to get the resources they need for classroom success and do real damage to the public education system that is the backbone of our state’s future.
It is absurd for Gov. Abbott and his pro-voucher allies to claim that a diversion of $1 billion in tax funds to private schools over the next budget cycle will not hurt our underfunded public schools, where the vast majority of our students will remain. That voucher drain will increase to $3 billion by 2028 and more than $4 billion by 2030 if this voucher bill becomes law, the Legislative Budget Board projects.
Texas already spends more than $5,000 less per student than the national average, ranking Texas 46th among the states and the District of Columbia. Many public schools already are cutting programs and increasing class sizes, and the school finance bill also approved by the House will not come close to ending the state’s financial neglect of public education. The House’s $395 increase in the basic allotment, which hasn’t been increased in six years, will provide only a third of what is needed to cover districts’ losses from inflation alone.
Meanwhile, most of Texas’ poorest families, even with vouchers, will not be able to afford the tuition and fees of Texas’ most popular private schools or the related transportation costs for their children. Many vouchers instead will become tax subsidies for upper income parents whose children already attend private school.
For many years, the Texas House stood as a strong defender of public education against the threat of private school vouchers, but it finally was overcome by lies and threats from Gov. Abbott and his billionaire school privatization supporters. For Abbott and his allies, our public schools — and the children who depend upon them — are, at best, an afterthought.
The Mounting Trouble with Education Savings Accounts
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), launched in Arizona in 2011, allow public funds to cover a wide range of educational expenses beyond private school tuition. Originally for students with disabilities, ESAs have expanded—most notably in Arizona and West Virginia in 2022—to become universal vouchers. Now adopted by several states, ESAs promote educational outsourcing and align with libertarian, market-driven ideals. However, they raise accountability concerns, create new taxpayer burdens, and may inflate private school tuition. Public schools, especially in rural areas, suffer funding losses, leading to staff cuts and school closures. ESAs can also worsen inequities and allow discrimination in private and religious schools. This policy brief provides recommendations for mitigating damage from ESAs, including implementing stronger oversight, limiting expansion, enforcing equity protections, documenting local impacts, and pursuing repeal where possible. Read the publication here
April 15, 2025
House Ed Chair Won’t Post Runs for School Finance Bill Online
The chair of the House Public Education Committee won’t publicly release online copies of financial impact summaries for the House’s flagship school finance bill, according to the Quorum Report.
House Bill 2 would increase funding for Texas’s public schools and expand the state’s teacher performance bonus program, among other changes.
Though Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has hailed the bill as the largest school funding bill in the state’s history, the bill would not restore school funding to prepandemic levels when controlling for inflation. Doing so would require about $21 billion in investment, compared to the $7.7 billion included in the bill.
In past sessions, those analyses — or “runs,” in the legislative parlance — would have been available online for superintendents, who would be able to see how much funding their districts would receive under the new plan, according to the Quorum Report.
Instead, the chair of the public education committee, Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, “invites members to pick up copies in person tonight at the Capitol,” per QR.
A staffer from Buckley’s office said that copies of the runs will be available at about 7 p.m.
Monday’s announcement is the second time this session that Buckley has made the legislative process for the school funding bill more opaque. Read more
Texas lawmakers consider a variety of bills to loosen restrictions around firearms
State lawmakers in both the Texas House and Senate considered several bills Monday that would loosen regulations around firearms in Texas.
A panel of House lawmakers heard testimony on more than a dozen proposals addressing everything from expanding where Texans could lawfully carry handguns to returning the right of gun ownership to individuals convicted of serious felonies.
Survivors of gun violence, including the 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School, testified during the hearing of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs. Read more
April 14, 2025
The Texas Legislature is having big battles over gender and sexuality; Track them here
Fundamental questions about gender and sexuality are dominating Republican priorities throughout all levels of government. In Texas, the Legislature is considering a record number of anti-trans bills this session.
Lawmakers in the Capitol have quietly pushed proposals to continue restricting the lives of trans people, including what bathrooms they can use, what government documents they can get and what services public schools and mental health providers can give to young people.
It is not clear if the proposals will survive the legislative process. This year’s session is focusing on school vouchers, property tax cuts, immigration enforcement and a THC ban, relegating those proposals to the back burner. But with executive actions, lawsuits and opinions from anti-trans politicians, many of their measures already are impacting trans Texans’ lives, whether the Legislature takes a vote on them or not. Read more
April 13, 2025
‘What did I say in class today?’: Teachers feel watched under Trump’s anti-DEI push
Soon after President Trump returned to office, he signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” which seeks to restrict how schools discuss race, gender and “equity ideology” in the classroom. The order grants the Education Department the power to rescind federal funds from schools that violate the directive. To help enforce the new rules, the Education Department also launched an End DEI portal, where students or parents can report on teachers for diversity, equity and inclusivity lessons taught in class. All of it is raising questions about who has the right to exercise free speech in public education—
The effort to root out DEI lessons is a victory for groups like Moms for Liberty, which is described by supporters as a parental rights organization. It endorsed the creation of the portal as many public school teachers say they’re being closely watched and ultimately silenced. Read more
April 12, 2025
Protect Federal Funding for Public Schools
Most Americans believe every student deserves opportunity, resources, and support to reach their full potential no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much their family earns.
Federal funding for our public schools helps fill in the gap where state and local funding sometimes falls short. It helps:
- Hire more educators to lower class sizes
- Give extra support for students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other disabilities
- Feed hungry students so they can learn
- Lower the out-of-pocket cost for career technical programs and 2- and 4-year colleges.
Medicaid not only helps 38 million children access health care, it also helps pay for school-based services that benefit the entire student population—including nurses, psychologists, and audiologists.
But some politicians in Congress, led by Elon Musk and his billionaire friends, want to raid the U.S. Department of Education and Medicaid to fund their tax cuts.
They also want to allow states to turn federal support into private school vouchers, without any strings attached.
Tell your representatives in Congress to oppose the Republican budget resolution that would take federal funding away from our public schools and Medicaid. Take action
April 11, 2025
More than 100 international students’ immigration statuses revoked across Texas universities
At least 122 international students at Texas universities have had their legal status changed in a wave of removals from a federal database that have swept across the state and the nation, according to university officials and media reports.
The students learned in recent days their visas were revoked or their immigration status was marked as terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS database.
Visa revocations prevent re-entering the U.S. but do not immediately end an individual’s status. SEVIS removals do, limiting students’ options and causing a much more immediate effect.
As of Thursday, the following universities have confirmed the number of international students who have been affected:
University of North Texas: 27
University of Texas at Arlington: 27
Texas A&M University: 23
University of Texas at Dallas: 19
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: 9
Texas Woman’s University: 4
Texas Tech University: 3
The University of Texas at Austin, where police arrested dozens for protesting the Israel-Hamas war, and the University of Houston told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday that some of their international students had a change in their immigration status. Both declined to say how many.
KFOX14 also reported on Wednesday that 10 University of Texas at El Paso students had their visas revoked.
Robert Hoffman, an immigration lawyer with offices in Houston and Bryan, said SEVIS removal also can affect employment eligibility and the status of dependents like spouses and children, whose ability to stay in the U.S. depends on the primary status holder.
“Unfortunately, these kinds of terminations kind of short-circuit due process by not allowing the student the opportunity to hear the specifics of their charges or defend themselves,” Hoffman said. Read more
April 10, 2025
Voucher debate heats up in Texas
Texas lawmakers are preparing to debate Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) which passed out of the House Public Education Committee on party lines. This sets aside $1 billion for the first two years and could grow to $4.4 billion annually by 2030. Meanwhile, a separate bill, HB 2, increases the basic per-student funding for public schools and ties future increases to property value growth. Opponents of SB 2, including teachers, parents, and lawmakers, rallied at the Capitol, urging lawmakers to boost public education funding and reject vouchers. Read more
April 3, 2025
A Texas school leader says material about diversity in state-approved textbooks violated the law
In 2022, conservative groups celebrated a “great victory” over “wokeified” curriculum when the Texas State Board of Education squashed proposed social studies requirements for schools that included teaching kindergartners how Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez “advocated for positive change.”
Another win came a year later as the state board rejected several textbooks that some Republicans argued could promote a “radical environmental agenda” because they linked climate change to human behavior or presented what conservatives perceived to be a negative portrayal of fossil fuels.
By the time the state board approved science and career-focused textbooks for use in Texas classrooms at the end of 2023, it appeared to be comfortably in sync with conservatives who had won control of local school boards across the state in recent years.
But the Republican-led state education board had not gone far enough for the conservative majority on the school board for Texas’ third-largest school district. Read more
April 2, 2025
Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas House
The Texas House Public Education Committee on Thursday voted in favor of a $1 billion spending cap for the first two years of a potential school voucher program and increasing by $395 the base amount of money public school districts receive for each student.
The changes to House Bill 2, the public school funding bill, and Senate Bill 2, the voucher proposal, will now go to the full House for further consideration. All Democrats on the committee voted against the voucher legislation.
Lawmakers revealed updated versions of both bills Monday, after days of public testimony last month. The committee was slated to discuss them Tuesday, but the panel rescheduled the meeting to Thursday, hours after the release of the new versions. Rep. Brad Buckley, the Republican chair of the committee, said he postponed it to give members additional time to review how the proposed school funding changes would affect their local districts.
While several TV stations broadcast the meeting, the committee did not stream it, drawing criticism from House Democrats. House rules this session require the streaming of public hearings but not formal meetings, which generally do not include public testimony. Read more
April 1, 2025
Ken Paxton wants Dallas school officials under oath on transgender athlete policy
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants to question Dallas Independent School District officials under oath as part of his investigation into the district’s policy on transgender athletes.
Paxton on Monday announced his office has filed a legal petition to do so. Earlier this year, Paxton’s office launched an investigation of the district’s “unwritten policy” that allegedly encouraged parents of transgender students to alter their childs’ birth certificates in other states.
Paxton initially requested several records regarding the district’s compliance with a 2021 state law that bans transgender students from competing in sports matching their identifying gender. The request came after the district’s LGBT Youth Program Coordinator, Mahoganie Gaston, suggested in a video published by Accuracy in Media, a Washington-based nonprofit that students could play in sports matching updated birth certificates.
In a statement, Dallas ISD said it was following state law and is cooperating with Paxton’s information requests. Read more
March 31, 2025
House Public Education Committee expected to act on voucher bill this week. Tell members to say NO!
Taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools, which flew through the Senate, have been slowed down in the House, but they are still very much alive. The House Public Education Committee is expected to vote on its version of the voucher bill, HB 3, Tuesday, April 1, after hearing a long list of witnesses testify against it two weeks ago. There were many more witnesses against it than for it because most Texans oppose vouchers.
The committee is expected to amend the bill, but whatever it comes up with will still cost taxpayers and public schools $1 billion in the next state budget and billions more within a few years for a huge tax giveaway for private schools. Many of the vouchers will go to upper-income families already paying tuition for private education for their children.
Repeating what we reported last week, a new poll released by Unified for Texas Workers, a group to which TSTA belongs, and Z to A Research shows that 65 percent of likely Texas voters oppose a taxpayer-funded voucher program to pay for private and religious schools. This was based on a recent survey of 1,275 Texas voters.
So, keep contacting members of the Public Education Committee and urging them to vote against vouchers!
March 30, 2025
Don’t slash Medicaid and children’s health care
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide health care coverage for nearly 80 million Americans, including 38 million children and 1 in 10 education support professionals. Slashing support by as much as $880 billion, as Republican budget numbers demand, would reverberate throughout the economy — especially in rural areas where public schools are economic centers and health care is scarce.
Reducing federal support would not lower costs—it would merely shift them to the states, where programs of all kinds would be under siege. Consequences could include fewer health services for fewer people, hospital closures, higher taxes, larger class sizes, and reduced support for 7.5 million students with disabilities —15% of the student population.
Virtually every student could be affected. That’s because Medicaid reimbursements help pay for school-based services that benefit the entire student population — health care as well as educators’ salaries and the services of health professionals like nurses, psychologists, and audiologists.
Find out more about the impact in your school district, congressional district, or state.
March 27, 2025
Attaching a Dollar Amount to the Culture Wars at School
Education-related conflict has a cost. And it’s not just metaphorical.
The Trump administration is currently adding to these conflicts by issuing a stream of federal orders that aim to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and disrupt or end its programs, to prevent teachers from fully and accurately addressing race and gender in the classroom, and to require or facilitate schools’ discrimination against LGBTQ+ students.
A recent report prices out the expenses K-12 school districts have borne as a result of similar efforts at the local level. Entitled The Costs of Conflict: The Fiscal Impact of Culturally Divisive Conflict on Public Schools in the United States, the report was written by NEPC Fellow John Rogers of UCLA, Rachel White of the University of Texas at Austin, NEPC Fellow Robert Shand of American University, and Joseph Kahne of the University of California, Riverside.
Based on a survey of 467 superintendents and interviews with 42, the researchers found that, in 2023-24, nearly every district in the nation experienced culturally divisive conflict related to topics such as gender, race, and book bans. Roughly two out of three were exposed to moderate to high levels of conflict, as defined by tensions that arose and occurred regularly across multiple areas of concern.
Based on these results, Rogers and his colleagues concluded that these conflicts cost American taxpayers more than $3 billion in 2023-24 by increasing and/or introducing new direct and indirect expenses such as security for school board meetings, salaries for staff to combat misinformation and fulfill public records requests, legal fees, and recruitment and retention (due to the need to replace staff who left as a result of the tension).
The costs ranged from $25 per student in low-conflict districts to $80 per student in high-conflict jurisdictions.
Superintendents who participated in the study noted that these conflicts were rooted not so much in the actual practices and day-to-day realities of schools as in broader societal dynamics. Most were driven by small groups of individuals who used threats and misinformation for political advantages. Read more
March 26, 2025
Five ways a funding overhaul has transformed Texas community colleges
Community colleges in 2023 celebrated a long-awaited investment from the Texas Legislature, positioning Texas to lead the country in connecting young people to the workforce.
That year, state legislators reimagined how community colleges are financed with House Bill 8. The old funding formula awarded schools based on enrollment. Schools now have to see their students through to graduation to get money: The new formula ties state dollars to degree and certificate completions, transfers to four-year universities and high schoolers’ participation in dual credit courses.
The effort was born out of state leaders’ desire to better prepare young Texans for the workforce. By 2030, at least 60% of jobs in Texas will require a postsecondary credential, and yet, less than 40% of students earn a degree or certificate within six years of graduating high school. For students, a postsecondary credential often leads to higher wages and increased economic and social mobility.
As part of a near-unanimous vote for HB 8, lawmakers poured a historic $683 million into two-year institutions. When the money trickled down to each college in fiscal year 2024, each college saw an influx of dollars that ranged from $70,000 to $2.9 million. Read more
March 25, 2025
We’re suing Linda McMahon and the USED
We are suing Linda McMahon and the U.S. Department of Education, joining together with parent- and student-rights organizations and the NAACP.
Recent cuts to the department’s workforce and programs are unacceptable and illegal. Our students deserve better.
This lawsuit is just one of the many levers our union is using to protect students from the politicians and billionaires who want to take a wrecking ball to public education.
Congress created the Department of Education “to ensure equal access for all Americans to educational opportunities of a high quality.”
That mission cannot be realized if half of its workforce is unemployed and its programs are frozen.
Our students will lose out most—with larger class sizes, fewer job training programs, higher education that is further out of reach, less support for students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other disabilities, and no enforcement of student civil rights protections.
Let us know how you’d like to get involved so we can stop politicians and billionaires from privatizing our public schools. Read more
March 24, 2025
Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discrimination
The University of Texas at Austin’s multicultural center, which hosted six groups that supported students of color, formally closed in January 2024. After that, university funding evaporated for several student groups the center sponsored, leaving them to scrounge up financial support elsewhere.
For Kam McQueen, a Black and queer student, losing the center was a blow — especially on a campus where only 4.5% of students are Black.
“It’s hard to find spaces where you feel like you belong and there’s people with you,” McQueen said. “Whenever they got rid of the Multicultural Engagement Center at UT, it was detrimental to my well-being, having to fight every single day for your place.”
Many Texans who support DEI programs say spaces like this simply support and connect people from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. They see the efforts as a natural outgrowth of bedrock American principles and landmark laws — like the constitutional right to equal protection and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — meant to protect people from discrimination.
In 2023, Texas banned DEI offices, programs and training at public colleges and universities. That prompted UT-Austin to pull support for cultural graduation ceremonies for Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ students. The flagship university and other schools closed or replaced multicultural and diversity offices, laying off or reassigning employees.
Debates over whether DEI initiatives prevent or lead to discrimination, whether they get in the way of merit-based decisions or level the playing field, and even the term’s meaning and what the initiatives do are at the center of disagreements within the Capitol’s chambers.
This year, lawmakers are considering extending similar prohibitions to K-12 schools and the Texas Senate has already passed such a bill. Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to end all DEI efforts.
What is DEI? DEI is short for diversity, equity and inclusion, and typically refers to efforts that public and private institutions employ to comply with longstanding laws that prohibit discrimination based on characteristics like race or sex. The term has become highly politicized in recent years. The current division over DEI is partially fueled by the lack of a standard definition for the term.
Why do DEI efforts exist? They’re largely an outgrowth of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, a movement that pushed back against discriminatory laws and practices that persisted since the founding of the United States and after the Civil War.
The anti-DEI push: Some DEI critics say the framework’s intentions are well-meaning. They also say DEI programs disguise discriminatory and divisive policies that single out individuals based on their race, ethnicity or identity. Programs to elevate historically underrepresented groups amount to giving some people preferential treatment over others, they add. Basically, critics say DEI promotes identity over merit.
March 23, 2025
Don’t slash Medicaid/CHIP
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide health care coverage for nearly 80 million Americans, including 38 million children and 1 in 10 education support professionals. Slashing support by as much as $880 billion, as Republican budget numbers demand, would reverberate throughout the economy—especially in rural areas where public schools are economic centers and health care is scarce.
Reducing federal support would not lower costs—it would merely shift them to the states, where programs of all kinds would be under siege. Consequences could include fewer health services for fewer people, hospital closures, higher taxes, larger class sizes, and reduced support for 7.5 million students with disabilities—15% of the student population. Take action
March 22, 2025
Oppose the Republican budget resolution
Over the long term, it is counterproductive to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations by slashing investments in our students—America’s future leaders and workforce. Yet that is just what this resolution aims to do.
The consequences would be severe, especially in rural communities where public schools are the economic center.
Support for vulnerable students would wither while a tax credit voucher scheme diverts $100 billion from public to private and religious schools. Higher education would become less affordable and accessible. Millions of students could lose access to school meals, higher education, healthcare, and more.
Tell your senators and representative to oppose the Republican budget resolution. Take action
March 21, 2025
Texas faculty testify against bills to screen universities’ curriculum for “ideological” bias
Dozens of professors testified Thursday against a proposal that would prevent college courses from endorsing “specific public policies, ideologies or legislation,” saying it threatens not only their freedom to teach, but students’ freedom to learn.
The Texas Senate’s K-16 Education Committee heard testimony Thursday on Senate Bill 37, by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, a sweeping piece of legislation that would task universities’ governing boards with screening curricula for ideological bias, among other things.
Seth Chandler, a professor of law at the University of Houston, said the bill could be interpreted as prohibiting a broad range of subjects — from the teaching of free market economics to the original interpretation of the Constitution, or even the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.
Others said the legislation would instill fear to introduce and discuss material some might find controversial.
March 20, 2025
Different pace and priorities separate Texas Senate and House on school vouchers
The last time the Texas Legislature tried to pass a school voucher program, things were not aligning. In 2023, the voucher-resistant Texas House acted in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott and his pro-voucher allies.
Things have changed this legislative session, and the gulf between the chambers is far narrower. The House and Senate will still need to reconcile differences in their respective bills, but they’re nowhere near the discord from 2023, according to voucher reporters and critics.
What are the differences in the two bills? The Senate and House have released the first draft of their voucher plans, Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 3. The main differences between the two bills are how much money students would receive, which applicants would take priority and how the program would accommodate students with disabilities.
Under SB 2, a family of four earning roughly $40,560 per year and a family of four with an income of about $156,000, would be equally prioritized for the program. House Bill 3 proposes a more detailed ranking system.
How has the House changed its tune? This session, a slim majority of the House signed on in support of Rep. Brad Buckley’s HB 3, signaling the bill has enough support to pass. Past voucher proposals have repeatedly died in the House because of opposition from Democrats and rural Republicans.
But many of those Republicans around in 2023 retired or lost their primaries against Abbott-backed candidates.
March 19, 2025
Texas conservatives are using school board elections to exert influence over what students learn
In 2019, the Keller Independent School District in North Texas looked a lot like its counterpart just 30 miles to the east in the Dallas suburb of Richardson. Each served about 35,000 children and had experienced sharp increases in the racial diversity of students in recent decades. Each was run by a school board that was almost entirely white.
In the five years since, the districts have followed strikingly divergent paths as culture war battles over how to teach race and gender exploded across the state.
In Keller, candidates backed by groups seeking to limit the teaching of race and gender took control of the school board and immediately passed sweeping policies that gave outsized power to any individual who wanted to prevent the purchase of books they believed to be unsuitable for children.
Though more than half of Keller’s students are from racially diverse backgrounds, the district in 2023 nixed a plan to buy copies of a biography of Black poet Amanda Gorman after a teacher at a religious private school who had no children in the district complained about this passage: “Amanda realized that all the books she had read before were written by white men. Discovering a book written by people who look like her helped Amanda find her own voice.” The passage, the woman wrote, “makes it sound like it’s okay to judge a book by the authors skin color rather than the content of the book.” Read more
March 17, 2025
Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies; Lawmakers want to put a stop to it
School district leaders across Texas were once reluctant to hire uncertified teachers. Now they rely on them amid a growing teacher shortage. But nested inside the Texas House’s $7.6 billion school finance package is a provision to ban uncertified teachers from instructing core classes in public schools. In House Bill 2, districts have until fall 2026 to certify K-5 math and reading teachers, and until 2027 to certify teachers in other subjects.
Uncertified teachers made up about 38% of newly hired instructors last year, with many of them concentrated in rural school districts.
Under HB 2, the state would help uncertified teachers pay off credential fees, and people who participate in an in-school training and mentoring program would get a one-time $10,000 payment. Teachers who go through a traditional university or alternative certification program would get $3,000. Special education and bilingual teachers would have certification fees waived. Experts say it could be the largest financial investment Texas has ever made in teacher preparation.
While district leaders agree this sounds great in theory, they worry the bill might ask for too much too soon from them, and that it doesn’t propose any meaningful solution to replace uncertified teachers who leave.
There aren’t as many Texans who want to be teachers as there used to be. The average state salary is about $9,000 less than the national average. Teachers say they’re overworked as they navigate unwieldy class sizes and use their weekends to catch up on grading. Many teachers left during the COVID-19 pandemic, which only accelerated the shortage. Read more
March 14, 2025
Texas Senate panel advances bill banning DEI in K-12 public schools
A priority bill filed in the Texas Senate seeks to extend the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to K-12 public schools.
The Texas Senate Education Committee’s Republican majority voted Thursday 8-2 to advance Senate Bill 12, sending it to the full Legislature for further consideration.
Sen. Brandon Creighton, the Conroe Republican who chairs the Senate Committee on Education K-16, introduced both SB 12 and Senate Bill 1565 after Gov. Greg Abbott expressed support in his State of the State address earlier this year for Texas banning diversity practices across its more than 1,200 public school districts.
“It’s clear these programs are already in our schools using millions of taxpayer dollars meant for the classroom to fund political activism and political agendas,” Creighton said during a recent public hearing for the measures.
An earlier version of SB 12 suggested that school districts could lose funding if they failed to comply with the proposed ban, but it did not lay out how that would have happened. The new bill voted out of committee Thursday no longer includes that provision.
SB 12 would still make it illegal for Texas school districts to factor in diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring and employment decisions. It would prevent schools from developing policies, programs and training that reference race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. It would require districts to create policies for disciplining employees who engage in or assign DEI-related tasks to others. And it would ban classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.
March 12, 2025
Trump’s Department of Education firings are an attack on millions of school children Texas State Teachers Association
The Trump administration’s firing of more than 1,000 employees at the U.S. Department of Education is not an attack on bureaucracy. It is an attack on millions of low-income school children and millions of students with special needs. It also is an attack on the educators who are dedicated to improving these children’s lives and preparing them for successful futures.
The loss of these experienced employees will make it extremely difficult for the agency to administer federal funding for programs crucial to low-income, Title I students, special education kids and the children who benefit from services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. The Department of Education also has long provided funding for English language learners, grants for academic research and grants and loans allowing millions of young people to get college educations or skilled training in technical schools.
March 11, 2025
How voucher vendors could make millions from ‘school choice’ in Texas
In August 2024, the business magazine Inc released its annual list of the top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. At 815th, a burgeoning upstart called ClassWallet cracked the list’s top 20 percent for the third straight year. By expanding its operations managing school voucher programs for states across the country, earnings for the Florida company grew by 610 percent over the previous three years.
Founded in 2014, ClassWallet now has more than 200 employees and has contracts to administer school vouchers and other educational programs in 18 states through its “digital wallet” platform.
Indeed, managing school vouchers has become a big business. And, as Governor Greg Abbott and the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature gear up to pass their own program this session, private companies like ClassWallet are descending on the Capitol to lobby for the vouchers legislation and the lucrative contracts it could generate. This comes as other states have drawn scrutiny over myriad problems with the private contractors, including ClassWallet, they’ve hired to administer their voucher programs.
Senate Bill 2, which sailed through the upper chamber early last month, is a universal school voucher proposal that would give students $10,000 a year to attend private school or $2,000 for homeschooling. Lawmakers have initially set aside $1 billion in funding for the Texas school voucher program in 2027, though the Senate bill’s fiscal analysis says the program’s net cost could balloon to $3.8 billion by 2030.
The bill stipulates that up to 5 percent of appropriated funds may go to pay up to five outside vendors like ClassWallet, which the legislation calls “certified educational assistance organizations” (CEAOs), to act as middlemen between the state, parents, and private schools by processing program applications and voucher payments. If the bill were to pass, these private companies could soon be reeling in tens and even hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars per year. Read more
March 10, 2024
82% of K-12 schools recently experienced a cyber incident
A startling majority — 82% — of K-12 schools experienced a cyber incident between July 2023 and December 2024, according to a report released Thursday by the nonprofit Center for Internet Security.
While scattered data has long signaled school vulnerability to cyberattacks, the CIS report confirms how widespread the problem truly is.
The data shows that schools are “prime targets for cybercriminals,” the center’s report said. And the fallout from K-12 cyberattacks often extends beyond data loss, with disruptions to school meal service, forced school closures or blocked access to crucial student services like special education and counselling, according to the report.
The report further shared cybercriminals’ latest tactics and patterns for targeting K-12 systems. For instance, they are increasingly focusing on attacks to the human element of network vulnerabilities through phishing and social engineering rather than on technical weaknesses. This is often done by tricking staff into revealing login credentials by posing as trusted officials.
Additionally, cybercriminals are worsening disruptions by targeting important academic events like exam weeks, or exploiting staff and students’ reliance on digital tools. Read more
March 7, 2024
Do the TSTA Two-Step, contact House Pub Ed today
The House Public Education Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 3, the taxpayer-funded voucher bill for private schools, next Tuesday. They need to keep hearing from us that this bill, if enacted, would soon drain billions of dollars a year from our under-funded public schools, while providing tax subsidies to upper-income families whose children already attend private schools.
Wealthy families are major beneficiaries of similar universal voucher schemes that already have been enacted in other states, including Arizona, while many low-income parents, even with vouchers, can’t afford to send their children to private schools.
And, as reported this week by the San Antonio Express-News, critics also warn that many special education students would get left in public schools that already are severely underfunded and understaffed. Vouchers that would be offered to special education students wouldn’t come close to covering the high tuition charged by the few private schools that accept students with special needs.
Seventy-six House members, a bare majority, are co-sponsoring the voucher bill. So, the House vote is expected to be very close. The more voucher opponents that committee members hear from, the better. Your messages against the bill could make the difference between whether we win or lose this fight.
Many public-school districts in Texas are operating with large budget deficits because Gov. Abbott and the Legislature haven’t increased their basic per-student funding allotment since 2019. And these public schools will continue to educate the vast majority of Texas students. Public tax dollars belong in public schools and should not be diverted to private schools and their upper-income students.
Do the TSTA Two-Step: Tell the members of the Texas House Committee on Public Education that vouchers — by whatever name — divert state tax dollars from our neighborhood public schools to private businesses. Tell them to vote against vouchers!
Then submit your written testimony opposing vouchers to the committee through the House Public Comment form. All testimony becomes part of the public record.
March 5, 2024
Texas Senate panel advances bill requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms
A Texas Senate committee on Tuesday advanced bills that would require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments and allow districts to provide students with time to pray during school hours.
The vote sends the two bills to the full Senate for consideration and is the latest sign of confidence by conservative Christians that courts will codify their opposition to church-state separation into federal law and spark a revitalization of faith in America.
That much was clear throughout the hearing, as supporters and some lawmakers argued that the legislation would reverse what they see as decades of national, moral decline.
“Our schools are not God-free zones,” said Sen. Mayes Middleton, a Galveston Republican who authored the school prayer bill and has argued that church-state separation is not real. “When prayer was taken out of our schools, things started to go downhill in America.”
The vote comes amid a broader push by conservative Christians to infuse more religion into public schools and life. In just the last few years, state Republicans have required classrooms to hang donated signs that say “In God We Trust”; allowed unlicensed religious chaplains to supplant mental health counselors in public schools; and approved new curriculum materials that teach the Bible and other religious texts alongside grade-school lessons. Read more
March 4, 2024
Neither of the Legislature’s voucher bills require private schools to accept certain students, which some warn could block the neediest children from access
In public hearings, during Capitol floor debates and in rooms packed with their constituents, Texas lawmakers have pitched school vouchers as a tool that will primarily benefit low-income students — and not just, as their critics argue, offer taxpayer dollars to families already sending their children to private schools.
“These are parents living paycheck by paycheck,” said Gov. Greg Abbott at a recent private school event in San Antonio. Families supporting his top legislative priority, he added, do “everything they can” to provide the best educational pathway for their children.
House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 2 — the signature school voucher proposals filed this year by each lawmaking chamber — would qualify virtually any family in Texas to receive taxpayer dollars through state-managed education savings accounts to fund their children’s private school tuition. If demand exceeds the $1 billion in proposed funding for the program, Republican lawmakers say they want to serve the most vulnerable Texans first.
“Both chambers are prioritizing low-income and special needs students, creating the largest school choice launch in the nation,” said Sen. Brandon Creighton, the Conroe Republican who leads the Senate Education Committee, in late February. “School choice” is a term used by voucher proponents who believe parents should have more options for where to send their kids beyond their local public school.
But both proposals’ broad eligibility — which would allow the vast majority of students in the state to apply — has prompted questions from education policy experts and public education advocates about whether Texas will live up to its promise of prioritizing the neediest children. Read more
February 28, 2024
Texas leaders quiet amid the biggest measles outbreak in decades
Amid Texas’ largest measles outbreak in 30 years, Gov. Greg Abbott and lawmakers from the hardest-hit areas have remained largely silent.
In just one month, cases have jumped from two to 124. There’s been the reported death of a child and 18 more people are hospitalized. Public health experts say Texas’ decreasing vaccination rates leave swaths of the state exposed to the contagious virus. State leaders haven’t addressed the outbreak publicly in press conferences or social media posts. There also haven’t been coordinated calls for people to consider getting vaccinated.
Why is this? Public health experts say the long-term consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have shaped Texas’ first major public health crisis since COVID.
“Everybody is so sensitive to the vaccine topic due to COVID,” said Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett. “We need to be very careful about how we address this topic. … Our job is to provide the resources, not to tell people what they need to do.”
School districts in Texas are required to exclude unvaccinated students for at least 21 days after they’re exposed to measles, which can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. However, to proactively exclude unvaccinated students before they’re known to be exposed requires the Texas health commissioner to declare a public health emergency.
Lara Anton, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said there are no plans to declare an emergency at this time. Read more
February 24, 2024
Senate to Vote on McMahon confirmation
Last week, in a 12-11 party-line vote, Linda McMahon’s nomination as Secretary of Education passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The next step is a vote by the full Senate. That’s likely to happen soon—by the middle of this week—so there’s no time to waste. Urge senators to oppose her nomination with an email, phone call, or both.
NEA opposes Ms. McMahon’s nomination for many reasons. She would prioritize efforts to redirect public funds from public schools to private and religious schools, and carry out the Project 2025 plan to dismantle the Department of Education, privatize the student loan system, narrow fundamental student rights and protections, and more. Read more
February 22, 2024
West Texas measles cases rise to 90; Here is what you need to know
The number of measles cases in Texas has grown to 90 with two more West Texas counties reporting infections, according to the state health department update on Friday.
The West Texas measles outbreak — the largest in the state in 30 years — has spread from two cases in late January and now includes seven counties, most of them in the rural South Plains region: Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Lubbock, Lynn, Terry and Yoakum. The virus has also spread into eastern New Mexico. Five of the 90 infected in Texas so far were vaccinated and the remainder were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown.
Sixteen of the 90 patients have been hospitalized and two more West Texas counties – Dawson and Ector – are now reporting their first cases. Gaines County now has the largest number of measles cases, growing from 45 earlier this week to 57. Terry County also increased from nine to 20. Read more
February 21, 2024
Parents Lose Appeal Over School’s Gender Identity Notification Policy
A federal appeals court has rejected a parental rights-based objection to a Massachusetts school district’s policy of allowing students to determine whether their parents should be notified about gender transitions and their choice of new names and pronouns.
The policy “plausibly creates a space for students to express their identity without worrying about parental backlash,” said a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, in Boston. “By cultivating an environment where students may feel safe in expressing their gender identity, the protocol endeavors to remove psychological barriers for transgender students and equalizes educational opportunities.”
The Feb. 18 decision in Foote v. Ludlow School Committee comes amid a conservative-led backlash to school policies supporting transgender students, including President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders declaring that there are only two sexes and instructing his administration to develop policies to prohibit public schools from assisting gender transitions and to bar transgender students from girls’ sports. The U.S. Supreme Court, with a six-justice conservative majority, has signaled a growing interest in transgender issues in education. Read more ($)
February 20, 2025
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to state and local funding
The Texas House filed priority legislation on Thursday that would allow some families to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s private school tuition, a bill that will likely rest at the center of one of the most contentious battles of this year’s legislative session.
Under House Bill 3, the state would distribute funds through state-managed education savings accounts that families could use for private school tuition and other educational expenses, like textbooks, transportation and therapy. Most participating students would receive 85% of the amount public schools get for each student through state and local funding. Read more
February 18, 2025
Texas House bill would ban cellphones in schools: ‘Kids are facing a mental health crisis’
Modeled by a national and statewide trend to lessen instances of bullying and keep students focused in schools, an Austin-area legislator is seeking to ban cellphones in Texas classrooms.
Texas House Bill 515 by Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, would require Texas school districts to adopt a policy prohibiting students from using their personal electronic devices during the day and have them place their cellphones in a lockable container or specified location.
Amid myriad concerns such as bullying, student focus and teachers’ ability to manage a classroom, there has been a recent uptick in legislation similar to Troxclair’s filed across the country, a move that has largely been praised by mental health researchers but has left some parents worried about not having easy access to their children during the school day, especially during emergencies.
Troxclair’s main drive to file the bill was the harmful mental health effects of social media and students’ ability to access that content during the school day, she said. Social media use contributes to bullying issues, she said. Read more
February 13, 2025
In quest to infuse more religion into Texas schools, advocates say courts are now on their side
Emboldened by recent US Supreme Court rulings and President Donald Trump’s second term, conservative Christians are rallying behind a series of Texas bills that would further infuse religion into public education and potentially spark legal fights that could upend church-state separations.
Last week, the Texas Senate advanced a bill that would allow public taxpayer money to flow to private, religious schools via vouchers. And on Monday, Sens. Mayes Middleton of Galveston and Phil King of Weatherford filed bills, respectively, that would allow time for prayer in public schools and require classrooms to display the Ten Commandments — both of them priorities for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and co-sponsored by all 20 Republican senators.
The impact could extend beyond Texas. In the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority, those on the religious right see an ally in their decades-long fight to crater the church-state wall and allow more Christianity in classrooms across the country. Read more
February 12, 2025
10 months after fatal Bastrop crash, lawmaker proposes seatbelts on all school buses
A bill in the Legislature would require Texas school districts to install seat belts on their school bus fleets, an extension of a current law, 10 months after a deadly school bus crash in Bastrop County placed new attention on the issue.
State Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, said the March 22 collision between a concrete pump truck and a Hays County school bus with 44 prekindergarten children and 11 adults prompted the proposal. The crash, which killed a 5-year-old boy and a man driving behind the bus, was the deadliest involving a school bus in nearly a decade.
“We just believe that having them physically restrained in their seats would help minimize – mitigate – any potential harm to the children,” Menéndez told the American-Statesman on Tuesday. “It is just some common sense.”
After the crash, parents of children aboard bus No. 1106 were angered by the Hays Consolidated School District’s decision to deploy a bus without restraints on the 25-mile each way trip to the Capital of Texas Zoo along a busy stretch of a two-lane highway. The district expedited plans to fully install seat belts on its bus fleet after the wreck. Read more
February 11, 2025
Texas Education Agency says schools ‘must not impede’ immigration enforcement on campuses
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said last week that school districts “must not impede federal officials” when they are conducting immigration enforcement raids on campuses.
The informal guidance came in a brief, three-paragraph letter to the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, a coalition of Democratic state lawmakers in the Texas House who requested guidance from Texas Education Agency last month after President Donald Trump took office and directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to step up deportations, leading to a U.S. Homeland Security Department announcement that schools, churches and other “sensitive” spaces would no longer be protected from immigration raids.
That operation has affected Austin, where many undocumented immigrants have been lying low since Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
In the absence of guidance from the TEA, Central Texas districts in recent weeks have issued their own rules for how their staff members should interact with federal officers.
The rules vary but are far more detailed than the guidance Morath offered in his letter, which a TEA spokesperson said would only be shared with school districts upon request.
In the letter, Morath — an appointee of Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican who has made border security a major focus — told members of the caucus that school districts must follow state and federal law. He noted that existing statutes allow schools to verify the identities of campus visitors “including municipal, state, and federal law enforcement officials,” and said that visitors shouldn’t be allowed on a campus without a legitimate reason to be there.
But one of the letter’s biggest takeaways came in this sentence: “As with any visit by a state law enforcement officer carrying out official duties, campus personnel must not impede federal officials.”
February 10, 2025
Legislature considers paying much more for school safety
Since Texas passed a law in 2023 requiring public school districts to have an armed officer at each campus, districts have repeatedly asked the state for more money to fulfill the requirement.
In this year’s legislative session, lawmakers have pledged to increase school safety funding. The 2023 law, House Bill 3, increased that annual safety allotment to $10 per student and $15,000 per school in a district.
The question legislators face this session: will they come close to increasing that allotment to the $100 per student that districts say is necessary to finally fill the funding gap?
HB 3 passed in response to the 2022 shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde that left 19 children and two teachers dead. But since its passage, more than half of Texas school districts do not meet the one armed officer per school requirement, according to a January Senate Education Committee report. Read more
February 9, 2025
Texas reports new measles outbreak in West Texas
At least 10 cases of measles — eight of which are among school-aged children — have been reported in Gaines County in West Texas over the past two weeks, driving worries of an escalating outbreak.
Of the cases so far, seven have been hospitalized, according to a Texas Health and Human Services alert. All were unvaccinated and residents of Gaines County, which has a population of about 22,000 and borders New Mexico.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” the alert said.
The new cases come more than a week after Texas health officials reported two Measles cases out of Gaines County, both involving unvaccinated school-aged children. Both children were hospitalized in Lubbock and later discharged. Earlier this week, state health officials said the number of cases had grown to six. Since then, cases have increased further. Read more
February 8, 2025
UT-Dallas students launch alternative newspaper after clash with administration
In late January, the University of Texas at Dallas removed most newspaper stands that once held its official student publication: The Mercury.
The student-produced newspaper hadn’t published a physical edition since last fall after students went on strike over the firing of its editor, Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez, who defended the organization’s coverage of pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
In the following months, Olivares Gutierrez and his colleagues launched an alternative news organization The Retrograde. The students published the first hardcopy edition Jan. 23, one day after the newsstands were removed from campus.
Without newsstands, Olivares Gutierrez and his fellow student journalists passed out by hand more than a thousand copies. Read more
February 7, 2025
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
This year, the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature is expected to pick up where it left off two years ago to address a perceived liberal bias at the state’s public, four-year universities.
Republican lawmakers plan to ensure universities are complying with a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion offices, programs and training passed last session. They are expected to file legislation that would limit the influence of professors on their campuses, many of whom they accuse of being “woke” activists. They have vowed to crack down on antisemitism in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, which will likely reignite discussions over free speech on campus. And they are proposing again to end in-state tuition for undocumented students.
Legislation that could improve students’ futures — either by helping them pay for college or encouraging them to enter a high-demand field – are also under consideration.
About 1.4 million Texans are enrolled in the state’s public higher education system, which includes 36 universities, 50 community and junior college districts, one technical college system and 14 health-related institutions. The Legislature allocated $11.5 billion to higher education in fiscal year 2025, according to a report by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Read more
February 6, 2025
Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through Senate
The Texas Senate voted 19-12 on Wednesday evening to advance legislation that would create a state-managed education savings account program.
What is Senate Bill 2? Under the bill, families could receive $10,000 a year per student in public taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s tuition at an accredited private school and other expenses like textbooks, transportation and therapy.
Children with disabilities would receive $11,500 per year. It also would provide at least $2,000 a year per student for home-schooling families who participate in the program. Home-schooling students with disabilities could receive $2,500 a year for therapy.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, questioned how the program would ensure it does not foster more segregation in the state’s education system. Read more
February 5, 2025
Trump administration drafting executive order to initiate Department of Education’s elimination
The Trump administration has begun drafting an executive order that would kick off the process of eliminating the Department of Education, the latest move by President Donald Trump to swiftly carry out his campaign promises, two sources familiar with the plans told CNN.
The move would come in two parts, the sources said. The order would direct the secretary of Education to create a plan to diminish the department through executive action.
Trump would also push for Congress to pass legislation to end the department, as those working on the order acknowledge that shuttering the department would require Congress’ involvement. Read more
February 4, 2025
Trump is weighing big cuts to the US Education Department
The Trump administration is exploring dramatic cuts to programs and staff at the U.S. Department of Education, including executive action shuttering department programs that are not protected by law and calling on Congress to close the department entirely.
The executive action could come as early as this week, according to multiple government sources who were not cleared to discuss the administration’s plans publicly.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
News of the Trump administration’s plans was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
This potential executive action comes after the Trump administration, in recent days, placed dozens of Education Department staff on paid administrative leave with little explanation, saying only that the moves were the result of President Trump’s executive action targeting federal diversity programs.
February 3, 2025
Abbott vows vouchers, pay raises for teachers and more property tax relief
Governor Greg Abbott touted Texas’ economic strength and set an agenda focused on continuing its business-friendly policies, cutting down on property taxes for homeowners and passing a school voucher-like program in his sixth State of the State address on Sunday evening.
Held in front of 1,100 people, including members of the House and Senate, at Arnold Oil Company in Austin, Abbott’s speech highlighted the newly created Texas Stock Exchange, and he said it will make the state the financial capital of America, nodding to how Texas has been named the best state to do business in for two decades.
Abbott highlighted seven emergency items to focus on during this legislative session: property tax relief, investment in water, bail reform, a new Texas Cyber Command to amp up cybersecurity, teacher pay, career training and school choice.
Abbott said Texas “must be No. 1 in educating our children” and prioritized legislation that would allow parents to take public dollars from the state and use them toward their child’s private education – a long-brewing issue he’s been crusading on.
The traditional Democratic response was a 10-minute prerecorded video with average Texans talking about the “state of their state,” including a San Antonio public school teacher who said Abbott’s pushing of a school voucher experiment could endanger schools and classrooms like hers.
“Private school vouchers are not for most families, they’re for wealthy families that already send their kids to private schools,” Dior Edison said. “Kids with disabilities, kids in rural areas and vital school programs will suffer the most.” Read more
February 1, 2025
Legal rights groups urge school leaders not to adopt Texas’ Bible-infused curriculum
A coalition of legal organizations on Thursday called on Texas school district leaders to reject the adoption of a recently approved state curriculum heavily infused with references to Christianity and biblical teachings.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Center for Inquiry and the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent superintendents and their school boards a letter Thursday telling them that adopting the curriculum, called Bluebonnet Learning, would “unlawfully impose a set of religious beliefs upon your students and violate their constitutionally guaranteed right to be free from religious coercion.”
The letter suggests a willingness by the groups to take legal action to stop Texas schools from adopting the materials.
“Our organizations, which have long fought for religious freedom for all, will closely monitor any school district across the state that considers implementing the Bluebonnet curriculum and will take any action that is necessary and appropriate to protect the rights of Texas children and their parents,” the letter reads. Read more
January 30, 2025
Voucher bill could destabilize retiree pension fund
This could occur if the number of students leaving public schools for private schools causes even a modest reduction in the public education workforce, the Teacher Retirement System advised the Legislative Budget Board. As noted in the LBB’s actuarial analysis of SB 2, the Senate voucher bill, “even a small adjustment, such as a decrease in the projected covered payroll growth (for public education), could be enough for the pension fund to no longer be actuarially sound according to the statutory definition.”
TRS also noted that if education payroll decreases from its projected rate, school employees or districts may have to pay higher contributions into the pension fund. Employee contribution rates already have been increased in prior legislative sessions, cutting into the pay of teachers and support staff.
Under the current Pension Review Board Pension Funding Guidelines, funding should be adequate to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability over a period that should not exceed 30 years as of Sept. 1, 2025, and not to exceed 15 years after Sept. 1, 2040. But the LBB noted that, according to TRS’ actuarial analysis, even “a 1 percent per year decline in active population (public school payroll) would increase the funding period to 35 years and take 12 years for the unfunded actuarial accrued liability to stop growing and begin to decline.”
Then more funding — from higher employee contributions, state appropriations or both — would be required to stabilize the pension fund.
January 28, 2025
Say NO to vouchers!
Today, TSTA submitted the following testimony to the Senate Education K-16 Committee:
The Texas State Teachers Association vehemently opposes any school voucher scheme that diverts funding from our already underfunded Texas public school system. Lawmakers should work to increase appropriations to public schools, not divert taxpayer funds to private schools.
At the start of the 89th legislative session, the Texas public school finance outlook is bleak. Last summer many Texas school districts faced a budget deficit and were forced to approve layoffs, cut programs, and close schools. Texas students are losing their extracurricular activities, librarians, teachers, and community schools, while being placed into larger class sizes.
As teachers are starting the new school year, inadequate school funding has had a negative impact on morale. In a recent survey of Texas teachers, 65 percent of those surveyed said they were seriously considering leaving the teaching profession and 33 percent of surveyed teachers said they have had to take extra jobs during the school year to make financial ends meet for their families. These teachers spent an average of $856 out of pocket a year for school supplies and $405 a month on health insurance. Texas teachers work tirelessly for their students and deserve a state leadership that will invest in them and their districts, not a state leadership that wants to defund public schools in favor of taxpayer-funded private school vouchers. Read the rest of our testimony to the committee
January 27, 2025
Several bills filed to weaken vaccine mandates as more Texas families opt out of immunizations
Views about the pandemic response shifted dramatically as Texans emerged from lockdowns and the COVID-19 vaccine became more widely available. Beginning in March 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott swiftly called executive orders that closed businesses and schools as infections spread in the United States; by November, he was resisting calls for more lockdowns.
Many Texans are still wary of health mandates, as seen by declining vaccine rates. And now, public health officials and advocates worry the drop might get steeper — and that previously eradicated diseases like measles and polio might make a comeback — as a flurry of newly filed bills at the Texas Legislature seeks to roll back vaccine requirements. Read more
January 26, 2025
Social media isn’t the only cause of mental health woes among Texas youth, advocates say
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says examining social media for youth is a legislative priority for the Texas Senate. So far, lawmakers have filed six bills this legislative session to address the issue, including legislation that would prohibit minors from creating accounts on social media sites and that would require age verification for new users.
A state House and Senate joint committee met twice over the last four months to listen to hours of testimony on how the online world is affecting minors. Lawmakers classify social media as “the most dangerous thing our kids have legal access to in Texas.”
But social media is just one reason for the surge in youth mental health problems, according to mental health providers, advocates and school officials. They say addressing social media shouldn’t come at the expense of building up the state’s mental health providers and funding life-changing programs on the brink of extinction. Bills have yet to be filed that meaningfully address workforce shortages in the mental health field beyond sharing workers with other states and loan repayment programs that have been in place for years. The state is unlikely to fully replace the more than $19 billion Texas schools received in COVID-19 relief funds, a large percentage of which went to address youth mental health needs. Read more
January 25, 2025
Tell the members of Senate Ed to vote NO on Vouchers!
Vouchers — by whatever name — divert state tax dollars from our neighborhood public schools to private businesses.
Texas public schools, where the vast majority of students will continue to be educated, are underfunded. Texas school districts have not received an increase to the per-student Basic Allotment since 2019. With a $20 billion surplus and $23 billion balance in the Rainy Day Fund, as forecast by the state comptroller, the Legislature has no excuse not to increase funding for public schools. Public tax dollars belong in public schools, not diverted to private business interests.
Help us tell the members of the Texas Senate Education Committee to vote NO on Senate Bill 2 next week! Contact the committee members today!
January 24, 2025
State lawmakers ask education agency for guidance on how Texas schools can respond to Trump’s immigration plans
A group of Texas lawmakers on Thursday urged education officials to issue “clear and detailed guidance” to school districts on how to prepare for federal immigration enforcement after the Trump administration eliminated a policy that long prevented officers from making arrests on school grounds.
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus sent a letter to Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath calling on the department to provide direction to school districts on protecting student records, establishing procedures for interacting with immigration authorities and providing mental health resources for anxious and fearful students.
The prospect of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers “entering classrooms to detain and remove students presents an unimaginable threat to Texas children’s physical safety, emotional wellbeing, and ability to learn,” the lawmakers’ letter says. “It is imperative that the TEA act swiftly to protect the integrity of our educational institutions and the wellbeing of our students by ensuring that Texas schools are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities when faced with federal immigration enforcement actions.”
A state education agency spokesperson referred The Texas Tribune to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office for comment. Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Read more
January 23, 2025
Senate, House budgets spend $1 billion on private schools, fail to meet needs of public school students and educators
Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina released the following statement:
The proposed legislative budgets set aside $1 billion of our taxes for private school vouchers, while continuing to underfund our public schools, where most Texas children will continue to be educated. This is simply wrong and a failure of the Legislature’s constitutional duty to adequately fund public education.
Lt. Gov. Patrick claims the money set aside for public K‐12 education would “fully fund” the Foundation School Program, including enrollment growth. But educators know our public schools aren’t fully funded now. If they were, we wouldn’t have so many districts cutting programs and staff as they struggle to operate with deficit‐ridden budgets. Our school districts need a substantial increase in the basic per‐student funding allotment, which hasn’t been increased since 2019. Experts say the basic allotment must be increased by at least $1,000 or more per student to simply keep up with inflation, which has been eroding school budgets while Gov. Greg Abbott and Patrick have been promoting tax giveaways for private schools.
January 22, 2025
Trump administration strips schools, churches of immigration enforcement protections
Immigration authorities can now enter schools, healthcare facilities and places of worship to conduct arrests, according to a new policy from the Department of Homeland Security.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement. “The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
The directive, which covers agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, rescinds guidance from the Biden administration that created “protected areas” that primarily consisted of places where “children gather, disaster or emergency relief sites, and social services establishments.”
The Biden-era guideline mandated that immigration enforcement operations shouldn’t take place in or near a location that would limit peoples’ access to “essential” services or activities. Read more
January 21, 2025
President Trump’s Early Actions Undo Biden Efforts to Protect LGBTQ+ Students
President Donald Trump on his first day in office swiftly ended Biden administration efforts to extend Title IX discrimination protections to transgender students as part of a sweeping executive order that makes it U.S. policy to recognize only two sexes. The executive order was one of a handful of actions around gender identity on Trump’s first day in office. It emanated from promises the Republican made on the campaign trail that continued as a throughline to his inaugural address.
The executive order defining sex as male and female calls for official government documents like passports and visas to allow applicants to describe themselves as only male or female. It also directs the attorney general to instruct government agencies that civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex—such as Title IX, the federal law outlawing sex discrimination at federally funded schools—can’t be expanded to apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as the Biden administration had done.
It’s that move that could lead the U.S. Department of Education to issue new guidance to schools with instructions on applying Title IX more narrowly.
Trump signed the gender identity order along with several others in the Oval Office Monday evening following a series of speeches and public appearances earlier in the day. It’s one of the few from Trump’s first-day batch that appear to directly affect schools. Read more
January 17, 2025
Greg Abbott wants to extend Texas’ DEI ban to K-12 schools
As Texas lawmakers wrap up the first week of the 2025 legislative session, Governor Greg Abbott has signaled another public education priority he wants on their list: banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in K-12 public schools.
“No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund DEI in our schools,” Abbott said in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, using the acronym for diversity efforts. “Schools must focus on fundamentals of education, not indoctrination.”
Barring DEI efforts at K-12 schools would expand a statewide ban for colleges and universities approved two years ago. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to questions from The Texas Tribune on Friday seeking more details on Abbott’s remarks.
His comments came in response to a series of videos posted by Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Culture Project, allegedly showing a Richardson school district official answering questions from an individual who recorded the interaction and asked whether the district would allow a transgender girl to share a room with other students on a field trip. The school official, identified as the district’s executive DEI director, said the district would respond to the situation on a case-by-case basis with parental input. Read more
January 16, 2025
Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M president’s job over claim that university broke DEI ban
Governor Greg Abbott threatened Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh III’s job over claims the university broke the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The threat came after conservative activist Christopher Rufo shared a university email inviting some staffers and PhD students to attend a conference that limited participation to people who are Black, Hispanic or Native American.
On Monday, someone asked Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton on social media whether they were going to tolerate the behavior.
“Hell, no,” Abbott replied hours later on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It’s against Texas law and violates the U.S. Constitution. It will be fixed immediately or the president will soon be gone.” Read more
January 15, 2025
Schools brace for clash with immigration officials ahead of Trump term
K-12 schools across the US are gearing up for potential efforts to shield their students as the incoming Trump administration sets its sights on deporting millions of people.
Administrators and teachers’ unions are looking to build relationships and provide resources for students and families without legal status as President-elect Trump has pledged the largest mass deportation in history, floating the end of policies barring immigration raids at schools and places of worship.
School officials and advocates are ensuring staff understand the rights to privacy that immigrant students have and how to tackle other issues that may arise such as slipping attendance as undocumented families fear the worst. Read more
January 14, 2025
Dustin Burrows voted Texas House speaker in blow to insurgent GOP movement
Representative Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, was elected speaker of the Texas House on Tuesday, concluding a bitter and intense power struggle within the Republican Party that came down to an extraordinary floor vote to decide who would fill one of the most powerful positions in state government.
In his acceptance speech, Burrows focused on his desire to keep the House an independent institution, where lawmakers could feel free to disagree with one another without fear of repercussion.
“This is the people’s House,” said Burrows, who was joined by his wife Elisabeth and three sons for his swearing-in ceremony.
He promised to work with every member of the Legislature, leaving his door open even to those who opposed him. Read more
January 13, 2025
Texas Legislature 101: How bills become laws — and how you can participate in the process
Texas’ 2025 legislative session starts tomorrow, January 14, and runs through June 2. Lawmakers will debate a bevy of issues and pass hundreds of bills that affect all Texans’ lives.
Here’s how it works, and what you can do to participate:
The Texas Legislature includes the House of Representatives, which has 150 members and is known as the lower chamber. The Senate has 31 members and is known as the upper chamber. Each representative and senator represents a geographic district. As a result of the 2024 elections, Republicans hold 88 of the 150 seats in the House and 20 of the 31 seats in the Senate. The House speaker, which presides over the House chamber, is one of the 150 representatives in that chamber and is elected by a majority of members. The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate and is elected by Texas voters every four years.
During odd-numbered years, the state Legislature gathers in January for 140 days to pass a two-year state budget and other laws, which is known as a regular legislative session.
Lawmakers have been filing bills since Nov. 12, 2024. In general, lawmakers can continue filing bills during the first 60 calendar days of the legislative session. After that point, only bills related to local matters or emergency items and appropriations can be filed, unless four-fifths of lawmakers are present in a chamber vote to suspend the rule. Read more
January 12, 2025
Sign up now for TSTA’s Virtual Winter Academy 2025; it’s free
Designed with early career educators in mind, TSTA’s Virtual Winter Academy 2025 will include topics ranging from your rights as an educator to evaluations and the Safe Schools Act to taking care of your own well-being. Join colleagues from across the state for an informative and inspiring program on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central Time.
Both current TSTA members and potential members are invited! This event is free of charge, but registration is required to receive Zoom information. Click here to register. Please share this invitation with your co-workers.
January 11, 2025
Members: Apply for funding! Attend TSTA’s free virtual workshop on 2025 grants for educators
TSTA is hosting an introductory workshop on grant funding opportunities specifically designed for PreK-12 school educators. This free training opportunity is available only to TSTA members.
The session will feature grant programs funded by the NEA Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities and additional grantors dedicated to the professional learning of teachers and the advancement of student learning — inside and outside the classroom. Participants will remain connected to grant opportunities and resources and will have access to announcements and collaborative partnerships with educators working on grant applications in Texas.
This workshop will be conducted online on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Central Time. Here is the Zoom link.
The presenter will be Rod Joseph Rodríguez, a secondary language arts teacher at an early college high school in Austin. He is the author of numerous books, including Youth Scribes: Teaching a Love of Writing (Heinemann, 2025), and the recipient of grant awards that directly influence student learning experiences and his own professional growth as an educator. Rod is a former editor of the English Journal. He and his students are readers of banned and challenged books.
Participants in the introductory workshop session will:
- Learn how to research potential sources of grant funds in education.
- Identify grant writing terms, parts of an application and preparation of documents.
- Find local and state sources to justify the need for a grant and collaboration.
January 10, 2025
UT-Austin’s presidency goes vacant amid growing challenges for Texas public university leaders
The upcoming departure of University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell has signaled in the public higher education space just how difficult it has become to be a university president amid growing political pressures.
Although Hartzell said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News that the state’s political climate was not a factor in his decision to leave UT for Southern Methodist University, he also said he would appreciate not having to go to the Texas Capitol as often.
In recent years, Texas’ public universities have had to deal with constant pressure from conservative leaders who want to correct what they view as liberal bias. Universities are having to navigate the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion offices and are also dealing with threats to end tenure or target faculty senates.
According to the American Council on Education, 55% of university presidents plan to step down in the next five years. Read more
January 9, 2025
Texas is silent on whether it will offer summer food assistance for students
Texas has yet to opt into a $2 billion grocery program that gives low-income families an extra $120 per child to help feed them during the summer despite the state having nearly 4 million children eligible for the program.
So far, 40 states have chosen to participate in the program. Texas missed the Jan. 1 deadline to let the U.S. Department of Agriculture know if it would participate. The state still has other chances to join, however, the decision lies with the state Legislature to approve the cost of administering the program.
The state would receive an estimated $400 million in federal dollars if it opts into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program. State taxpayers would have to foot about $55 million in administrative costs, according to Feeding Texas, a network of 20 food banks.
Families would qualify for the meal benefits if their children qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches during the school year. In 2024, a family of four with an annual income of $40,560 or less would be eligible for free school lunch. That same family would have to make $57,720 or less per year to qualify for reduced lunch. Read more
January 8, 2025
Schools around the US are weighing responses to possible immigration raids
Schools around the country are reviewing what to do if immigration agents come knocking as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office after campaigning on a pledge to deport millions of people.
In several large cities, school systems are speaking up for the rights of immigrant students to attend school, regardless of whether they are in the country legally, and saying they would not assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. In California, officials this week offered guidance to schools on state law limiting local participation in immigration enforcement.
“I know there is a lot of fear and anxiety around the incoming administration’s anticipated changes to immigration policy,” California Attorney General Bonta said, “and I want to make sure students, their parents, and their teachers and school administrators are prepared.”
The 54-page California guide outlines state and federal protections for students and procedures for responding to law enforcement requests ranging from documents to interviews with students.
Many communities debated how much and whether schools should cooperate with immigration authorities during Trump’s first administration, when school systems including Chicago’s took stands against immigration enforcement. Read more
January 7, 2025
Senate committee announces delay for Ed Sec confirmation hearing
The Senate HELP Committee, the panel overseeing the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Education Department, says it is still waiting for documents from the transition team before it can proceed with the hearing. Linda McMahon’s confirmation is now not likely to take place until after Inauguration Day, according to committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). He added: “It really depends on us getting paperwork. Right now the hold seems to be on their side.” Current Education Secretary Miguel Cardona’s confirmation hearing took place on February 3 2021, a fortnight after President Joe Biden’s inauguration, while predecessor Betsy DeVos’ hearing occurred on January 17 2017, just three days after Donald Trump was first sworn into office. Read more
January 6, 2025
A Texas teenager helped his border community win a $13 million grant to improve the environment
When he was 13, Ramon Rodriguez stood before the Presidio City Council. He had a vision for his hometown, a hot, arid border community.
He wanted the council to create a department dedicated to preserving the environment. The department would install composting bins around town, and build greenhouses and tree nurseries that collect water. Part of the town would be dedicated green spaces where building would be prohibited.
The council, with its shoestring budget, did not adopt his suggestions.
That decision in 2018 did not deter Rodriguez, who has looked for ways to put his plan in place piecemeal. Then, late last year, Rodriguez learned the region won a $13 million federal grant he helped write. Read more
January 5, 2025
Social Security Fairness Act signed into law, expanding retirement benefits for teachers
On Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden signed a Social Security bill into law that repeals statutes that diminished payouts to teachers, firefighters, and other public sector workers. One of the statutes the Social Security Fairness Act repeals, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), was enacted in 1983 and reduced Social Security benefits for workers receiving government pensions not covered by Social Security. The Social Security Fairness Act also repeals the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which was enacted in 1977 and shrunk benefits for spouses, widows and widowers with spouses receiving public sector pensions. “The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition: Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity,” Biden said. He added that the bill should lead to an estimated average monthly increase of $360 for certain public employees and their spouses and survivors. More than 2.5m Americans are set to receive a lump sum payment worth “thousands of dollars” to make up for the shortfall and the benefits they should have received last year. The bill will cost $196bn over the next 10 years, according to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office. Read more
December 20, 2024
Holiday greetings from TSTA
As 2024 comes to an end, we give thanks to you and for all your work on behalf of all our students, educators and communities in Texas. Through it all, YOU — our amazing #TeamTSTA family — continued to speak up for our students and build the future of public education in Texas.
As we reflect on the challenges of this year, we still mourn the loss of our beloved Executive Director Richard Kouri. We are called upon to honor his memory as a tireless champion for public education by understanding the importance of what is at stake in 2025. The year ahead brings us a legislative session that will be shaped by a political climate that is hostile to public education. The obstacles it brings include underfunded campuses, teacher shortages and continued attacks on curriculum. 2025 will be challenging and will require all of us to advocate and speak power to power. We hold steadfast, knowing that the unity and resilience that we demonstrated as a family this past year prepare us to meet the challenges of the year ahead.
We encourage you to rest and enjoy this break, a time to gather with family and friends and to recharge for the work ahead. We, the officers and staff of TSTA, wish all of you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and winter break. Stay safe and healthy. Best wishes for a Happy New Year y Feliz Año Nuevo.
December 18, 2024
Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services
After a yearslong legal battle, federal officials are asking Texas schools that used a Medicaid reimbursement program for special education services to return $16 million that they say were billed incorrectly.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General sent an email this month to 572 school districts statewide informing officials they would need to pay anywhere from $100 to $800,000 back to the department for services billed in 2011. The charges stem from a 2017 federal health agency audit that found Texas had improperly billed the agency 238 times for services under the School Health and Related Services program.
The SHARS program reimburses schools for providing services to Medicaid-eligible students, including mental and physical therapy, nursing and screenings. Almost 950 of the state’s more than 1,200 school districts are currently enrolled in SHARS programming, according to the Texas Association of School Boards.
The 238 errors the federal government identified were for services that were deemed ineligible for reimbursement. The Inspector General’s Office also found over 94% of the services billed — including some that were eligible — did not have the required documentation. Read more
December 17, 2024
Today is the enrollment deadline for new TRS-Care dental and vision plans
High interest in both these new optional plans prompted the Teacher Retirement System to offer more sign-up time. Find more information about the plans and how to enroll here.
Watch this video to learn more.
December 16, 2024
Sign up now for TSTA’s Virtual Winter Academy 2025; it’s free
Designed with early career educators in mind, TSTA’s Virtual Winter Academy 2025 will include topics ranging from your rights as an educator to evaluations and the Safe Schools Act to taking care of your own well-being. Join colleagues from across the state for an informative and inspiring program on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central Time.
Both current TSTA members and potential members are invited! This event is free of charge, but registration is required to receive Zoom information. Click here to register.
Please share this invitation with your co-workers
December 15, 2024
Members: Apply for funding! Attend TSTA’s free virtual workshop on 2025 grants for educators
TSTA is hosting an introductory workshop on grant funding opportunities specifically designed for PreK-12 school educators. This free training opportunity is available only to TSTA members.
The session will feature grant programs funded by the NEA Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities and additional grantors dedicated to the professional learning of teachers and the advancement of student learning — inside and outside the classroom. Participants will remain connected to grant opportunities and resources and will have access to announcements and collaborative partnerships with educators working on grant applications in Texas.
This workshop will be conducted online on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Central Time. Here is the Zoom link.
The presenter will be Rod Joseph Rodríguez, a secondary language arts teacher at an early college high school in Austin. He is the author of numerous books, including Youth Scribes: Teaching a Love of Writing (Heinemann, 2025), and the recipient of grant awards that directly influence student learning experiences and his own professional growth as an educator. Rod is a former editor of the English Journal. He and his students are readers of banned and challenged books.
December 13, 2024
TEA hosting webinars on safe and supportive schools
The Texas Education Agency, in partnership with Project AWARE, will be hosting a series of webinars to highlight resources and best practice strategies on various safe and supportive schools’ topics. These courses also qualify for CPE hours.
The webinars include:
- Jan. 9, 2025: Supporting Psychological Safety Through School Mental Health
- March 13: Utilizing Resources from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to Support School Mental Health
- May 8: TIER 1 Mental Health Promotion
December 12, 2024
WEP/GPO repeal to be voted on in the US Senate, contact senators Cruz and Cornyn today!
At a rally on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he will schedule a vote on the Senate floor for HR 82 The Social Security Fairness Act, which repeals the Social Security windfall elimination provision and government pension offset. These provisions lead to the reduction of Social Security benefits for nearly three million hard-working Americans, including many educators, that have spent time working at a job that pays into Social Security and receive a government pension.
The National Education Association and its partners have been fighting for decades to repeal WEP/GPO and this is the best opportunity a repeal has had to pass both chambers of Congress.
December 11, 2024
Texas beats nation on teacher diversity, but research shows work is needed to reflect students
Texas’ teacher workforce is more diverse than that of the country as a whole. But a report from the National Council on Teacher Quality says states, districts and teacher preparation programs need to do more to recruit and retain teachers of color to better reflect students in classrooms.
Texas’ teacher workforce is more diverse than that of the U.S., but it’s still not reflective of the state’s students, according to a new dashboard released Tuesday by the National Council on Teacher Quality.
The dashboard shows more than 45% of Texas teachers are people of color, and nearly 74% of students are. Nationally, 23.3% of U.S. teachers and 54.2% of students are people of color. Read more
December 9, 2024
Actions you can take in the waning days of the 118th Congress
During the final weeks of the 118th Congress, we remain focused on:
GPO/WEP REPEAL — As part of a final push for Senate passage of the Social Security Fairness Act (S. 597), the bill’s congressional champions will join NEA and labor and retirement groups for a rally on Capitol Hill this Wednesday. In addition, we’re asking you to call your senators and urge final passage now!
JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS — Federal judges serve for life, and they can have a BIG impact on issues that matter to us, including public education, civil rights, and workers’ rights. Tell senators to confirm EVERY judge nominated by President Biden before it’s too late.
RURAL SCHOOLS — The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program helps support schools, roads, and other municipal services in more than 700 counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico. SRS made its last authorized payment in April 2024. The Senate has extended the program, but the House still must act. Tell representatives to pass the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023 (S. 2581).
INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS — Hundreds of thousands of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forced to enroll and assimilate in government- and church-run boarding schools. Many died, went missing, or were murdered; survivors were often the victims of abuse. Tell Congress to pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (S. 1723) to help bring a measure of justice to tribal citizens and nations.
Contact your elected representatives today!
December 6, 2024
Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here’s how faculty shape their universities.
Conservative Texas lawmakers and power brokers in recent years have criticized university professors for being “woke” activists who indoctrinate college students with far-left teachings and ideas.
Now, as state lawmakers head back to the Capitol for the 2025 legislative session, they could limit the influence faculty have over campus culture and curriculum. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants lawmakers to recommend potential changes to the roles of faculty senates, which traditionally take the lead on developing curriculum — and ensuring professors have the academic freedom to teach and research their subject areas without fear of political interference.
But conservatives say university curriculum has been infused with ideologies that have helped take higher education in Texas in an overly liberal direction. Read more
December 4, 2024
US Students Are Falling Behind in Math and Science
More countries are edging ahead of the United States in math and science achievement, according to the latest results from an international test of 4th and 8th graders in the subjects.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS, reports results from 4th graders across 63 education systems, and 8th graders across 45 education systems, every four years. It also collects information about curriculum, school technology use, teacher preparation, and other measures of school context.
The 2023 administration, the first since the COVID pandemic, shows mixed outcomes across the world. While some countries experienced growth in student achievement or held steady, others saw a decline—including the United States.
American students still score above the international average on TIMSS, but they rank below children in the highest-performing nations, including Japan, Singapore, and Korea. Read more
December 3, 2024
Despite political rhetoric, Trump’s deportees are more likely to be students and teachers than violent criminals
Donald Trump won’t move back into the White House for several more weeks yet, but Gov. Greg Abbott and Trump’s other leading supporters in state government already are chomping at the bit to assist the president-elect — and share some of the dubious limelight — in carrying out Trump’s long-promised plans for “mass deportations” of immigrants.
In the process, they aren’t above spreading Trump’s often-repeated, hate-tinged lie that many, if not most, immigrants are dangerous criminals whose forced departure will make America safer again. Read more
December 2, 2024
Ed Department May Require Schools To Report ‘Informal Removals’ Of Kids With Disabilities
Federal officials are eyeing changes to the types of information that schools nationwide must report about the experiences of students with disabilities.
The U.S. Department of Education is updating plans for its upcoming civil rights data collection. The effort, which generally takes place every two years, gathers information on enrollment, student access to courses and teachers, discipline, restraint and seclusion and much more.
The data collection is significant because it captures information from all public school districts as well as charters, alternative schools, justice facilities and others receiving federal financial assistance. Read more
December 1, 2024
With vouchers likely to pass, Texas educators push for funding — and accountability
Education Savings Accounts were a top focus for Gov. Greg Abbott in the 2023 session and four special sessions. But the voucher-like program failed, as did additional funding for public schools statewide after Abbott vowed to withhold his signature from any education bill that lacked ESAs.
Now, with the next session just weeks away, Abbott is once again making ESAs a top focus of the session — and he’s confident lawmakers will pass a bill that’ll send public dollars to private schools.
“We are ensuring,” Abbott said at a recent visit to the private, religious Kingdom Life Academy in Tyler, “that students who may have fallen through the cracks in their public school, they’re going to have a new chance, a new opportunity to be able to, to learn, to achieve, to succeed.”
With assurances he’ll soon get some kind of voucher plan, Abbott is also again backing teacher pay hikes as he did last session — and districts around the state are desperate for funding.
After opposing vouchers last session, Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said that fight is over. Read more
November 27, 2024
TSTA wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving
A very Happy Thanksgiving to our #TeamTSTA familia! Our offices will be closed Thursday and Friday so that we can spend time together with our loved ones. Have a very happy and safe holiday!
November 24, 2024
Texas Board of Education says it wants more control over public school library books
A majority on the Republican-dominated State Board of Education said Thursday that it wanted more control over whether school library books are considered sexually explicit or not.
Ten members on the board responsible for determining what Texas’ 5.5 million public schoolchildren learn in the classroom voted to call on the Texas Legislature, which convenes in January, to pass a state law granting them authority to determine what books are appropriate for school-age children. Local school districts currently manage that process.
Republican members said granting the board control would alleviate the state’s more than 1,200 public school districts of the burdensome task. They also said it could offer a solution to a recent court ruling stopping Texas from fully enforcing a state law requiring booksellers to rate their materials for appropriateness – based on books’ depictions or references to sex – before selling them to school libraries. Read more
November 22, 2024
State Board of Education approves Bible-infused curriculum
A majority of the Texas State Board of Education gave final approval Friday to a state-authored curriculum under intense scrutiny in recent months for its heavy inclusion of biblical teachings.
Eight of the 15 board members voted to approve Bluebonnet Learning, the elementary school curriculum proposed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year.
The curriculum was designed with a cross-disciplinary approach that uses reading and language arts lessons to advance or cement concepts in other disciplines, such as history and social studies. Critics, which included religious studies scholars, say the curriculum’s lessons allude to Christianity more than any other religion, which they say could lead to the bullying and isolation of non-Christian students, undermine church-state separation and grant the state far-reaching control over how children learn about religion. They also questioned the accuracy of some lessons. Read more
November 20, 2024
Our students and our nation deserve so much better than Linda McMahon
National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement reacting to Donald Trump’s nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education:
“Every student — no matter where they live, how much their family earns, or the color of their skin — deserves the opportunity, resources, and support they need to grow into their full brilliance. In every community across this country parents and educators are partners in this effort.
“By selecting Linda McMahon, Donald Trump is showing that he could not care less about our students’ futures. Rather than working to strengthen public schools, expand learning opportunities for students, and support educators, McMahon’s only mission is to eliminate the Department of Education and take away taxpayer dollars from public schools, where 90% of students — and 95% of students with disabilities — learn, and give them to unaccountable and discriminatory private schools. Read more
November 18, 2024
How some Texas parents and historians say a new state curriculum glosses over slavery and racism
A new Texas curriculum seeks to captivate first-grade students with a lesson on Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate long revered for its French neoclassical architecture and as a symbol of the founding father’s genius.
The lesson teaches about the Virginia property’s pulley system that opened doors, the mechanical clock that kept track of the days and the dumbwaiter that transported dinner from the kitchen to the dining room.
However, if the State Board of Education approves the curriculum when it meets this week, children could miss out on a more crucial aspect of Monticello’s history: It was built using the labor of enslaved people and occupied by hundreds of humans whom Jefferson enslaved.
Since it was proposed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year, the elementary school reading and language arts curriculum has faced strong opposition from parents, advocates and faith leaders for its heavy use of biblical teachings, which critics say could lead to the bullying and isolation of non-Christian students, undermine church-state separation and grant the state far-reaching control over how children learn about religion.
But less attention has been given to how the curriculum teaches America’s history of racism, slavery and civil rights. Read more
November 15, 2024
The fight now moves to the Senate, contact Cruz and Cornyn to repeal GPO/WEP
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) discourage people from becoming educators, especially those in mid-career who stand to lose Social Security benefits they have
already earned. That, in turn, can adversely affect the quality of the education our students receive.
More than 2.5 million hard-working Americans, including many educators, have their Social Security benefits reduced — or lose them entirely — due to WEP/GPO. The WEP reduces the Social Security benefits of people who work in jobs covered by Social Security and jobs NOT covered by Social Security over the course of their careers — for example, educators compelled to take part-time or summer jobs to make ends meet. Some people receiving foreign pensions are also subject to the WEP. The GPO reduces — or eliminates — the Social Security spousal or survivor benefits of people who also get a pension based on federal, state or local government employment NOT covered by Social Security. Two-thirds of the pension amount is deducted from the Social Security benefit—for someone getting a $1,500 pension, for example, the Social Security benefit is lowered by $1,000. More than 70 percent of those affected by the GPO lose their entire spousal or survivor benefit.
The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (S. 597/H.R. 82) would fully repeal both the GPO and WEP. The bill has 36 cosponsors in the Senate and 204 in the House. Earlier this week the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted for the Social Security Fairness Act, which now moves to the U.S. Senate. Please contact Texas Senators Cruz and Cornyn and tell them you support the Social Security Fairness Act and the repeal of GPO/WEP!
November 14, 2024
Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two years
Governor Greg Abbott said he will not support tuition increases at Texas colleges and universities in the next two years, continuing a tuition freeze currently in place. In the last legislative session, lawmakers allocated an additional $700 million to the state budget for public universities. If the state provided the financial boost, university leaders agreed they’d keep tuition flat for undergraduate students for the 2024-2025 budget cycle.
The average cost of tuition and fees for in-state students attending a public university is $28,724 a year.
“These efforts reflect our commitment to ensuring that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Texans,” Abbott said in a statement. “When all Texans have access to quality and affordable education, they can earn better wages, meet workforce qualifications, and experience a higher quality of life. I will ensure college affordability remains a top priority for the state as we head into the next legislative session.” Read more
November 13, 2024
Today marks the beginning Transgender Awareness Week
Transgender Awareness Week is celebrated to help increase understanding about transgender people and the issues members of the community face. It ends with the Transgender Day of Remembrance. We observe both events, sharing content from our partners who lead on these important issues and support our LGBTQ+ students and members:
Advocating for Change – NEA Edjustice
Advocating for Change – NEA’s Action Center
GLAAD Transgender Awareness Week
November 12, 2024
TFA among the voices for inclusion on Texas campuses
Yesterday, several student and faculty advocacy organizations, including our own Texas Faculty Association, and civil rights groups testified at the Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee hearing to underscore the critical need for inclusive curriculum and programs in Texas’ colleges and universities. The organizations are united in their call urging State lawmakers to cease policies and actions that harm Texas campus communities and undermine diversity and inclusivity on campus. Read the full statement
November 11, 2024
US House to consider repeal of GPO/WEP this week
Nearly three million hard-working Americans, including many educators, have their Social Security benefits reduced—or lose them entirely—due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Thanks to our continued advocacy, the Social Security Fairness Act (S. 597/H.R. 82), which fully repeals both the GPO and WEP, is on the docket for consideration as early as Tuesday evening this week.
Let’s keep the momentum going! Contact your representative and voice your support for repealing the GPO and WEP!
November 8, 2024
Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 “low-producing” programs including LGBTQ+ studies minor
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Thursday unanimously directed its flagship university to disband an LGBTQ+ studies minor, months after conservative lawmakers and websites accused the program of promoting “liberal indoctrination” on campus.
The LGBTQ Studies minor is one of 14 minors and 38 certificate programs that administrators said were “low-producing,” according to a new process they developed to identify and eliminate programs with low enrollments. But faculty argue the process used inaccurate information and faulty data. It also kept faculty from providing input about curriculum decisions, they said.
“This has never happened before,” said Angie Hill Price, a professor and speaker of A&M’s Faculty Senate. “We have no precedent for a board to decide [to end academic programs] over the wishes of faculty and the president which they deemed low-performing.”
Dozens of faculty attended the board meeting Thursday to oppose the regents’ decision. Read more
November 7, 2024
Texas State University condemns demonstrators who brought offensive signs to campus
Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse condemned the actions of two men who came to the San Marcos campus the day after the election with homophobic and misogynistic signs, characterizing their messages as “disgusting.”
In a letter to the campus community Thursday, Damphousse said he was saddened by the behavior.
“While TXST is legally committed to protecting free speech on our campuses, we understand that words can negatively impact members of our community,” he wrote. “I condemn the hateful words these two men wrote and spoke while they were on our campus. That kind of hate is not welcome here.” Read more
November 6, 2024
This is not the outcome we campaigned for, but it is the road through history we now must travel
National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement on the election results:
“As Martin Luther King Jr said, ‘The road to freedom is a difficult, hard road. It always makes for temporary setbacks.’
“This is not the outcome we campaigned for, nor the future we wanted for our students and families, but it is the road through history we now must travel.
“Today, we lament, and tomorrow, we organize because our students need us advocating for them now more than ever. Our values don’t change based on who wins or loses an election. And we will continue to advocate and organize for what we believe in with all our strength.” Read the full statement
November 5, 2024
It’s Election Day!
If you’ve already voted — thank you; you can still make an impact by encouraging your friends and family to get to the polls! Protecting our public schools is going to take every single vote. Your vote is your voice, and it’s time our elected representatives hear from educators!
November 4, 2024
Some San Antonio school districts close to students so they can welcome Election Day voters
Seven school districts in the San Antonio area will not hold classes Tuesday to facilitate their campuses serving as polling sites for Election Day. The decision aims to ensure “easy access to any potential voting sites while causing minimal disruption or safety concerns to the school day,” according to district spokesperson Barry Perez. The districts observing the day include North Side, North East, Harlandale, Judson, East Central, and Southwest independent school districts, along with IDEA Public Schools’ San Antonio campuses. Meanwhile, San Antonio ISD will continue regular classes, as will Edgewood, South San Antonio, South Side, Alamo Heights, Medina Valley, and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal independent school districts. Read more
November 2, 2024
Biden-Harris Administration to End Online Junk Fees for Low-Income Families Paying for School Meals
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that students eligible for free and reduced price school meals must not be charged junk fees along with the cost of a meal served through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. This policy, effective school year 2027-2028, will lower costs for families with income under 185% of federal poverty guidelines – equal to $57,720 for a family of four – by ensuring they are not burdened by processing fees when purchasing school meals for their children. Today’s action is a first step. USDA will examine fees charged to families with a goal of eliminating online junk fees for all families regardless of income level to further remove barriers to access healthy meals.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service issued a memo today to schools across the country about this policy. The school year 2027-2028 implementation date gives schools ample time to modify current systems or establish new contracts; however, USDA is encouraging schools to implement this requirement as soon as possible. The memo also reiterated USDA’s longstanding policy that schools must offer all families a free and accessible method for making deposits to school meal accounts – and that schools must ensure families know about this option. Read more
November 1, 2024
Abbott’s order on antisemitism at colleges likely violates First Amendment, judge says
Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order on antisemitism likely violates free speech rights on Texas college campuses, a federal judge wrote on Monday when he allowed a lawsuit opposing the order to proceed.
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman wrote that Abbott’s order imposes “impermissible viewpoint discrimination that chills speech in violation of the First Amendment.”
Abbott was removed from the suit under sovereign immunity, which under the Constitution means that government entities can’t be sued without consent. However, officials within the University of Texas System and University of Houston who enforce the order still face legal action.
The executive order was issued in March and directed university officials to update free speech policies with a definition of antisemitism. Abbott’s order singled out Palestine student groups as examples of those who should be disciplined, which could include up to expulsion, for violating the order. Read more
October 31, 2024
A Texas curriculum advisory board’s link to faith-based advocacy
At least half the members of the state’s hand-picked curriculum advisory board have a history of faith-based advocacy, raising questions about whether the panelists are inclined to green-light Bible-infused coursework in Texas schools.
Mike Morath, the commissioner for the Texas Education Agency, picked the members to be a part of the Open Education Resources Advisory Board. The board is tasked with ensuring learning materials are accurate, age-appropriate and free from bias. While some members are experienced educators, others are not. At least half of them have a history of faith-based advocacy, including Ben Carson, who served as head of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration and has worked on creating a patriotic-infused elementary school curriculum on U.S. history. Read more
October 30, 2024
Think Again: Are Education Programs for High Achievers Inherently Inequitable?
America’s reckoning with racial injustice and the pursuit of equity have led some public school systems to reduce or terminate (or at least question) special programs for high achievers, such as “gifted” education, honors courses, and selective high schools. Historically, such programs have served disproportionately few Black, Hispanic, Native American, and low-income students. Their critics have used this fact to call for their overhaul or elimination—a position they often justify with claims that the programs don’t improve participants’ academic outcomes, especially those of marginalized students, and that more heterogeneous classrooms work just as well.
This policy brief challenges those claims. It argues that, rather than harming marginalized students of high ability, these programs are the best way to maximize their achievement. That’s because interventions, including acceleration and readiness grouping, benefit high-achieving students from every sort of background while doing minimal harm to lower- and middle-achieving peers; more heterogeneous classroom groupings, however beneficial for some students (when done well), rarely succeed at educating students across the wide range of achievement at all grade levels. This reality is especially concerning when more effective methods exist to identify and nurture the talents and abilities of students who are Black, Hispanic, low-income, and otherwise underserved. Read the brief
October 28, 2024
Make your voice heard; Vote early now and VotePublicSchoolsFirst
Early voting for the November 5 general election is underway. This is a great opportunity to ensure your voice is heard in an election that may be the most crucial of our lifetimes. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running-mate Tim Walz are clearly the pro-public school candidates and defenders of democracy. Republican nominee Donald Trump has called for a nationally funded private school voucher program and makes no secret of his desire to lead an authoritarian, unconstitutional administration.
This also is probably our best opportunity yet to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who has spent much of his time in Washington trying to privatize public education with an expensive, federal voucher program and is more interested in promoting right-wing policies than in representing the real interests of most Texans. Challenger Colin Allred, a Democratic congressman from Dallas and the son of a schoolteacher-mom, has spent his career in the U.S. House in a bipartisan effort to promote public education and keep our schools and communities safe. For those reasons, Allred is TSTA’s endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate.
This election also gives us the chance to kill taxpayer-paid vouchers for private schools during next year’s legislative session by voting for pro-public education candidates for the Texas Legislature who will vote against vouchers and for more state funding for public schools. Some of the Texas House candidates we are backing who can be key in the anti-voucher fight are: Kristian Carranza in Texas House District 118 in San Antonio, Laurel Jordan Swift in House District 121 in San Antonio, Jennie Birkholz in House District 52 in Central Texas, Jennifer Lee in House District 55 in Central Texas, Elizabeth Ginsberg in House District 108 in Dallas and Averie Bishop in House District 112 in Richardson. All are strong pro-public education candidates who oppose vouchers and are running against pro-voucher opponents.
If you live in one of those districts, please vote for them. If you are not sure which Texas House district you live in, find out here.
Congressional seats and several members of the State Board of Education also will be on the ballot. So will local school board candidates, bond issues and other ballot propositions in some districts. Check with your local leaders to learn if your local is endorsing any school board candidates or ballot proposals and, if so, vote for them.
Early voting will end Nov. 1.
See all TSTA’s endorsed candidates.
Here are some opportunities to help Colin Allred’s campaign get out the vote.
Voter Assistance Hotline: 1-844-TX-VOTES (844-898-6837)
October 27, 2024
Join NEA members across the country making phone calls to educator-voters in key districts
Educators who may still be unsure about who to vote for in the presidential race need to hear from you about why Kamala Harris is the pro-public education, pro-democracy candidate.
Learn more.
October 26, 2024
NEA task force proposes policy statement on artificial intelligence in education
Created by NEA president Becky Pringle, the task force, between last November and April, held a series of member engagements, met with experts, reviewed research and analyzed existing NEA policies related to digital learning. Now, it is proposing a policy statement that outlines the guiding principles for the conditions under which it is appropriate to use artificial intelligence in educational contexts. It outlines strategies and activities NEA will undertake to put these principles in use.
The recommendations identify potential benefits of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, particularly for use with students and educators with disabilities. At the heart of the recommendations is the principle that humans must be at the center of the teaching and learning experience and play a significant role in every consequential education and employment decision.
The proposal is grounded in five core principles:
- Students and educators must remain at the center of education.
- Evidence-based AI technology must enhance the educational experience.
- AI technology must be developed and used ethically, and strong data protection practices must be in place.
- Equitable access to AI tools must be ensured.
- There must be ongoing education with and about AI technology to ensure AI literacy.
October 25, 2024
Are you eligible for student loan forgiveness? Try NEA’s debt navigator tool to find out
The Biden-Harris administration recently expanded the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which is a loan forgiveness program for people who work in public service for federal, state, tribal or local governments, or for a non-profit organization. This includes teachers and school support staff.
NEA members have exclusive access to a debt navigator tool specifically designed to help educators easily identify student loan forgiveness options. You can run your numbers and receive a list of debt-relief programs based on your own situation, all at no cost.
October 24, 2024
Biden to issue landmark apology over Native American boarding schools
President Biden is expected to issue a formal apology for the federal government’s Native American boarding schools during a visit to Arizona on Friday. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis told NPR that the formal apology is coming as part of Biden’s first official visit to an Indigenous community as president. Biden’s message would be the first public apology from a sitting U.S. president in response to a federal policy that wreaked havoc on tribal communities. Read more
October 23, 2024
How school vouchers fall short for low-income families
As Texas prepares for another debate on education savings accounts (ESAs) in 2025, a look at Arizona’s similar program offers insights into how such policies play out. Arizona’s ESA program provides students with $7,000 to $8,000 annually for education expenses, including private school tuition. However, ProPublica reporter Eli Hager found that the program disproportionately benefits affluent families, while lower-income families, especially in rural areas, face barriers like transportation and insufficient funding. Many lower-income families find that the voucher amount doesn’t fully cover private school costs, limiting their access. Read more
October 22, 2024
Austin schools face budget crisis
Austin ISD employees are facing potential pay raises contingent on the approval of a tax rate increase in the upcoming election. Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized that without this increase, “the district likely won’t be able to give meaningful raises for the foreseeable future.” The proposed Proposition A aims to raise taxes by 9.01 cents, generating an additional $41m for the district, although $130m would be redirected to the state through a recapture program. The compensation package is designed to make salaries competitive, particularly benefiting teachers with 16 to 27 years of experience. District officials warn that without the tax increase, significant budget cuts may be necessary, potentially leading to layoffs. Ken Zarifis, president of Education Austin, stated: “This is the only option AISD has to increase some funding and to avoid a loss of employment that will negatively impact our kids.” Read more
October 21, 2024
‘When Voters Get to Decide, Vouchers Lose’
Chadron is a small agricultural town of around 5,000 residents located in Dawes County in the northern part of the Nebraska panhandle. Like many rural schools across the nation, Chadron High School, where Renae Noble teaches English, represents so much more to the community than just the place where their children learn.
“This is where it all happens,” she says. “We’re a very small town in a remote area. We’re the hub of the community and people love our public schools.”
Funding challenges in Dawes County persist, however. As a rural county, surrounded by federal and state-owned lands, “we don’t have huge tax base as it is,” Noble says. “The last thing our schools need is funding being taken away to pay for private school tuition.”
Facing such a threat, Noble and educators across the state are mobilizing to repeal a school voucher law passed by the Nebraska legislature earlier in 2024. LB1402 creates a statewide school voucher program that would funnel critical funding from public schools to subsidize private school tuition. Nine out of ten students in the state attend public schools.
But Nebraska voters will get the last word. Educators like Noble stood on street corners, canvassed door to door, attended state fairs, concerts, and farmers’ markets, to collect enough signatures to put the law on the state ballot (Measure 435) in November.
The future of school vouchers is also on the ballot in Kentucky, where voters will be determining the fate of Amendment 2. If approved, the measure will dismantle language in the state constitution that has so far prohibited public money being funneled to private schools and other privatization schemes.
“This would be a radical and dangerous change,” said Kevin Dailey, a teacher in Boone County. Dailey says the impact on already underfunded schools in low-income and rural areas would be devastating. Read more
October 17, 2024
Helping Students Spot Misinformation Online
Immigrants eating pets, hurricanes intentionally created by “weather modification” systems, and election ballots sent to noncitizen voters to invite “foreign interference.” These are all examples of outrageous claims found online.
“There is nonstop misinformation from all sides, everywhere, 24/7,” says Eugene Kiely, executive director of FactCheck.org. “Misinformation used to be more cyclical and tied to elections, but there is no lull in misinformation now.”
Some states, including California, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas, have enacted laws that require public school students to learn media literacy and the skills needed to identify credible information.
But as social media evolves and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating misinformation increases, it can feel daunting.
To help students wade through the flood of information, Kiely suggests that educators ask them to fact check it just as they do at FactCheck.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in news, particularly politics and science. Read more
October 15, 2024
Texas lawmakers push for toddler mental health
Lawmakers and child care centers in Texas are advocating for a comprehensive mental health system for toddlers, recognizing the importance of early intervention. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues among children, with over 500,000 Texas children diagnosed with anxiety or depression in 2020, a 23% increase since 2016, according to the 2023 Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute report. The state is now working to develop a strategic plan for children’s mental health, aiming to address the severe shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists and improve early childhood mental health services. Read more
October 14, 2024
Teachers feel undervalued, report shows
According to EdWeek’s 2024 State of Teaching report, 70% of teachers believe the public views their profession negatively. This perception can impact teachers’ job satisfaction and performance, ultimately affecting the quality of education. Read more
October 10, 2024
Lawmakers and child care centers are pushing for a statewide mental health system for toddlers
Although a focus on mental wellness for infants, toddlers, and kindergarteners started to develop about 30 years ago, a growing number of child care centers, such as Mainspring, are emphasizing mental health as much as literacy in their curriculum — that the ability to express emotions and form relationships is equally crucial to school success as learning to read at an early age.
Additionally, Texas officials — after lagging behind other states such as Arkansas and Colorado for decades — are starting to study the current state of early childhood mental health care in Texas to determine the best way to create a statewide mental health system for the state’s youngest residents — an effort driven in large part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the pandemic accelerated incidents of mental health concerns, rates of childhood mental health challenges and suicide had been rising steadily for at least a decade before and have only risen further. Read more
October 8, 2024
Tell your US representative to vote for the Social Security Fairness Act
A majority of members of the US House have signed the discharge petition necessary to force Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act to the floor. This is because educators and retirees contacted their representatives and urged them to do so. Thank you.
This bill will repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which cause more than 2.8 million working Americans, including many educators, to see their Social Security benefits reduced or lost.
The House floor debate and vote on the bill is not likely to occur until after the November election. But keep contacting your U.S. representatives, urging them to vote for the Social Security Fairness Act.
October 7, 2024
Today is the last day to register to vote
Check your voter registration right now! Every major state and federal election, The Texas Tribune produces comprehensive voter guides like this one with a lookup tool to preview what will appear on your ballot.
This year, they have produced additional guides to assist voters facing specific challenges:
- A guide for students and young voters
- A guide for mail-in voters
- A guide for voters with disabilities
- A voter guide in Spanish
And are continuously developing more resources in response to evolving headlines and questions about Texas elections:
- A guide to checking your voter registration
- A guide to giving and receiving voting assistance
You can easily find them and share them through the new voting resources webpage: texastribune.org/vote.
October 3, 2024
Many Hurricane Helene victims are educators and fellow union members, and they need our help
Our colleagues at NEA Member Benefits have set up a GoFundME page to help our fellow educators and their families in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee with their recovery efforts. Please consider contributing to this Hurricane Helene Relief Fund. Their needs are great.
All donations to this fund will be distributed to affected NEA state affiliates for them to allocate to their members in need. NEA Member Benefits will pay any fees imposed by GoFundMe, so that 100 percent of the money raised will go to support NEA members and their families.
If you would prefer to donate by check, please make checks payable to:
NEA Member Benefits Relief Fund
ATTN: Christine Tarrago
900 Clopper Road, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
In the memo or reference field, please specify “NEA Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.”
NEA also is assisting affiliates in conducting member wellness checks and contacting FEMA for federal assistance.
September 30, 2024
October 7 voter registration deadline is less than two weeks away; are you registered?
TSTA is advising our members to check their voter registration status. You can do so here. It’s easy. If you need to register, be advised that Texas doesn’t have online voter registration, but you can start the process online. Find out here.
Don’t wait until the last minute.
Find out who represents you in Congress, the Legislature and State Board of Education.
Early voting starts Oct. 21. Plan now to #VotePublicSchoolsFirst!
September 26, 2024
TSTA urges Legislature to provide automatically adjusted, permanent COLAs for retired educators
In recent testimony filed with the House Pensions, Investments and Financial Services Committee, TSTA applauded lawmakers for approving last year’s limited, one-time cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees and one-time stipends for the oldest. But we made clear that wasn’t enough to ensure comfortable retirements for dedicated, hard-working people who spent their adult lives educating Texas children.
“Texas retired educators are still facing financial pressures,” we pointed out. “The average TRS annuitant eligible for a COLA received only a $76 increase to their monthly check while the most recent retirees, those who retired between 2014 and 2020, received only a $46 average monthly increase.”
We added: “With estimated inflation of around 24 percent over the past five years, TRS retirees are experiencing declining purchasing power with limited means for increasing their income.”
We urged lawmakers to do for TRS retirees what Social Security does — provide for automatic permanent COLAs tied to inflation.
“The legislature should uphold their promise to Texas public educators and work to maintain a dignified retirement for those who devoted their careers to teaching and caring for Texas students,” we testified.
In another recent Teacher Retirement System development, the agency told the Legislative Budget Board that state statutory contributions will total $6.4 billion for the TRS pension fund and $1.1 billion for TRS-Care health insurance for retired educators during the next two-year budget period.
TRS also requested the Legislature appropriate $450 million to TRS-ActiveCare to limit health insurance premium increases to less than 10 percent annually for active educators. Without that additional state contribution, TRS-ActiveCare premiums will increase by nearly 20 percent in 2026, the agency said. TSTA supports that request.
September 25, 2024
Pro-voucher group backs Texas Republicans with new campaign – but no mention of vouchers
The American Federation for Children — which has an office in Dallas but is headquartered in D.C. — has spent millions on pro-voucher candidates in Texas. But its latest round of mailers doesn’t mention vouchers at all. The D.C-based American Federation for Children is the leading national advocate for school vouchers, what it and other supporters call “school choice.”
Vouchers allow public dollars to pay for private schools. For now, Texas doesn’t have any type of state-run voucher program – but that could change in the next legislative session.
Now, just weeks away from the November election, the AFC is putting support behind specific Republicans who voted for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial voucher-like Education Savings Accounts — ESAs — in the last session. Mailers sent out recently praise the candidates as “champion[s] for children” who “fought for Texas teachers, parents and children” — while making no mention of vouchers, or party affiliation. Read more
September 24, 2024
Compare Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on education issues
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris could not be more different — but what would electing each of them mean to students and educators?
We took a look at their record on issues ranging from educator pay and vouchers to gun violence and school meals.
Use this helpful tool to inform voters about the real implications of this election and its impact on public schools, students, and educators. Please share it with your networks!
September 23, 2024
Latest effort to block school ratings cracks Texas districts’ once-united front
A legal effort to block Texas from releasing school performance ratings has created a divide between district leaders who worry the scores are an inaccurate representation of their work and others who say parents need that information to make choices about their kids’ schooling.
A coalition of about 30 school districts recently sued the Texas Education Agency over the introduction of a computer system to grade the state’s standardized tests, which are used to calculate part of Texas schools’ performance rating. The year before, school districts filed a similar lawsuit arguing that the agency had raised too fast a benchmark that also goes into their score. Judges out of Travis County have sided with the school districts in both cases, ordering temporary injunctions that have kept the TEA from releasing the ratings for two consecutive school years.
The latest lawsuit has been met with wariness from some school leaders, a marked shift from when more than a 100 districts saddled up for the first suit to create a unified front against the TEA. Read more
September 20, 2024
TEA Commissioner calls for cell phone ban in public schools
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath has urged lawmakers to introduce a ban on cell phones in the state’s public schools. Arguing they are “extremely harmful to student progress” amid growing concerns over their distracting effect on students and their impact on mental health. He noted that some school districts have already introduced bans or restrictions on the use of cell phones, saying that in administrative terms “this is a very doable thing”. A number of lawmakers were were more skeptical of the need for a change to the law. Read more
September 19, 2024
TEA challenges court block on school grades
The Texas Education Agency is appealing a recent court ruling that temporarily blocks the release of A-F accountability grades for schools. A coalition of school districts, under the direction of Travis County Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle’s order, claims that the grades are based on flawed STAAR tests and specifically criticizes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for grading essays. The lawsuit claims: “This change was made without ensuring that this radical change would not impact the new STAAR test’s validity and reliability.” Education Commissioner Mike Morath has defended the A-F system, emphasizing its importance for transparency and resource allocation. Read more
September 18, 2024
Students struggle to recover from pandemic
The “State of the American Student” report by the Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) reveals a slow recovery from the pandemic period for students, particularly among vulnerable groups like young children, disabled students, English learners, and the homeless. The report highlights chronic absenteeism, staffing shortages, and student disengagement as significant barriers to recovery. While some schools have successfully implemented strategies like tutoring and improved communications with parents, many students still lack access to necessary support. Read more
September 17, 2024
Check your voter registration status!
Make sure you are registered to vote. If you vote regularly in state and local elections, you more than likely are registered because your registration is normally automatically renewed. But it wouldn’t hurt to check your registration status, especially if you haven’t voted in a while. It’s easy to check here.
Then, if necessary, find out how to register to vote here. The deadline to register is Oct. 7, and early voting for the Nov. 5 election will begin Oct. 21.
Make sure you are registered to vote by Oct. 7; then plan to #VotePublicSchoolsFirst!
September 6, 2024
Register to testify against Bible-infused curriculum by 5 today
During the second week in September, the State Board of Education will take public testimony on the state’s proposed K-5 curriculum that is infused with Biblical themes and lessons. Education Commissioner Mike Morath is pushing these materials, and budget-troubled school districts will receive extra state funding as an incentive to adopt them. But TSTA and other public school advocates oppose the use of these materials in public schools because we believe they are intended to proselytize students and violate the separation of church and state principle on which our country was founded.
Our ally, the Texas Freedom Network, has commissioned a review of the curriculum.
Here are some of the report’s conclusions:
- The curriculum overemphasizes Christianity, offering very limited coverage or none at all of other major religions and faith traditions.
An almost obsessive emphasis on religious freedom distorts the history of the nation’s founding and underplays the importance of other fundamental liberties cherished by Americans. - One-sided portrayals of Christianity and its impact whitewash historical truths.
Lessons subtly portray Christian faith claims as straightforwardly true, opening the curriculum to the charge that it is meant to proselytize students. - The authors appear to go out of their way to work detailed Bible lessons into the curriculum in ways that are both unnecessary and unwarranted.
- We know that many of our members will not be able to take time off work and travel to Austin to testify before the board. But we urge you to take some time before the meeting to submit written testimony.
Here are some points to make in your testimony:
- Taxpayer-funded public education is not Sunday school. Public schools are for children of all religions or no religion.
- Religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and the places of worship they may choose.
- The United States has a history of protecting religious freedom. In promoting one religion, Christianity, over others, this curriculum violates that principle. It would use public schools to force Bible study on children regardless of their families’ religious beliefs.
- Teaching about the influence of religion in our history and culture may be appropriate in public schools, but this curriculum crosses that line by presenting lessons more appropriate for Sunday school.
- If you want to testify in person before the board on Sept. 12 or 13, please read these registration instructions carefully.
You must register online before 5 p.m. (Central time) Friday, Sept. 6. The board is expected to vote on the curriculum materials at its November meeting.
September 5, 2024
The Expansion – and Risk – of Unrestricted Education Savings Account Vouchers
The school-choice landscape in the United States is undergoing a rapid transformation, as states increasingly enact a new form of vouchers called Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Unlike earlier voucher programs, which generally allowed taxpayer subsidies only for private school tuition, ESAs represent a radically expansive — and potentially very costly — vision for the private use of public funds. ESA participants receive public monies via direct deposit and can use them for various expenses, including but also well beyond private school tuition and fees. Many states, in fact, allow these funds to be used for nearly any purportedly educational expense. ESA funds are thus widely dispersed among participants and private providers but, to date, require little or no oversight or accountability.
A new policy brief, Strengthening Oversight of Education Savings Account (ESA) Funding for Private and At-Home Schooling, explores the evolution of these ESA programs, with attention to the policy characteristics that shape this large transfer of unrestricted public subsidies for private and at-home education.
The authors describe how ESA programs have eschewed the aim of earlier vouchers to serve low-income families and are instead trending toward universal or near-universal participant eligibility. Unsurprisingly, then, these new public subsidies appear to be disproportionately used by affluent families who had already been paying for private education, according to initial evaluations of the programs. These are often students who had never enrolled in the public system, meaning that taxpayers are taking on new financial obligations for private education, imposing a significant burden on state education budgets. Yet, despite the growing use of public monies, ESA programs fail to provide robust programmatic oversight of this spending or meaningful accountability for the quality of education purchased with these funds.
Interestingly, many homeschooling families who are skeptical of any governmental involvement in their children’s education, have appeared hesitant to accept ESA funds. Similarly, many (though not all) state and national homeschool networks and advocacy organizations have actively opposed state ESA expansion, fearing that extending public subsidies to home school families will lead to public attention — and accountability — and ultimately impose limitations on absolute parental control.
The broader private and at-home education landscape also presents more complicated dynamics surrounding ESAs than might be expected. At least some alternative-education providers, including a growing wave of microschools emerging post-COVID, share the skepticism of traditional homeschoolers. In contrast, many larger for-profit providers (having experienced profitable initial growth coupled with weak or no accountability for the use of public funds or for student learning outcomes) welcome the new taxpayer subsidy. They appear to recognize the revenue-generating potential of unrestricted ESA funds and seem poised to create a new, largely unregulated market of for-profit virtual, micro, and alternative schools propped up by taxpayers.
One concern given this complicated landscape is that pro-ESA lawmakers will loosen already-lax governance of ESAs in an effort to overcome opposition to ESA expansion from some potential recipients and private providers, a move that would further undermine already-weak public oversight and accountability for taxpayer monies. Again, ESAs are already the least-regulated approach in the highly deregulated world of vouchers, where fiscal scandals have prompted calls for greater accountability in the existing school choice system.
Given these problems as well as the dreadful academic outcomes of earlier vouchers on students’ performance, particularly in mathematics, lawmakers might do well to make their highest priority tightening—if not abandoning—ESA expansion. The research evidence about the fiscal and educational impacts of previous voucher programs is extremely negative.
But if, given the current political context, new expansions are inevitable, lawmakers must instead reject calls to weaken public authority over public funds and strengthen oversight and accountability over ESA programs. The authors’ concluding recommendations detail how policymakers can ensure equitable access to a new landscape of providers for all students, increase fiscal oversight over taxpayer money, and develop robust governance and accountability structures to ensure public funds are actually supporting high-quality education.
September 4, 2024
Teacher of the Year finalists for 2025 include two TSTA members
Two TSTA members are among six finalists for the 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year. They are JoMeka Gray, a kindergarten teacher in Temple ISD, and Melissa Farias Zuniga, a high school teacher in New Braunfels ISD.
Gray teaches math, science and social studies to kindergarten students at Kennedy-Powell Elementary School in Temple. A mentor teacher and an advocate for her profession at the state Capitol, Gray has been leading classrooms since 2010, having taught both kindergarten and first grade on several campuses in Temple and Killeen ISDs. She has been Temple ISD District Teacher of the Year in 2021 and 2024.
“It’s amazing to see the academic growth of a student from the first time they sat in your class until graduation,” Gray said. “We as teachers also get to celebrate students beyond academics, such as losing their first tooth, reading their first sentence, playing their first instrument, catching their first ball and sometimes teaching their first child.”
Zuniga is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at New Braunfels High School. After completing work on her B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, she focused on community work, raising her four children and volunteering in public schools and scouting organizations. She began her career in public education in 2014 as an ESL paraprofessional and earned her alternative certification in English. She was named Campus Teacher of the Year in 2018 at the New Braunfels Ninth Grade Center and in 2024 at the high school.
“Walls do not contain what is in the heart and soul, nor should they be barriers for growth and success,” Zuniga said. “Connecting students with their community has developed into a pillar of my teaching. These connections enrich students’ learning experiences and help them develop a sense of self, belonging and responsibility.”
The six finalists – three elementary and three high school teachers – were selected by a panel of judges that included representatives from teacher associations and last year’s Texas Teacher of the Year finalists. They were selected from 40 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year.
The finalists will be interviewed by more judges. Two winners – one at the elementary and one at the high school level – will be announced Oct. 25 at an awards ceremony in Round Rock, and one will be designated to represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year program.
The Texas program is facilitated by the Texas Association of School Administrators.
Read more about all the finalists and the Teacher of the Year program.
September 3, 2024
What Texans need to know about helping people register to vote or cast ballots
As efforts to get Texans to vote ramp up ahead of Election Day, state officials have launched investigations into how some people are registered, executed search warrants over how some ballots have been cast and touted the removal of about 1 million people from voter rolls.
Voting fraud has generally been found to be rare. Local elections officials say Texans can help other citizens register to vote and cast ballots, but there are rules and procedures that need to be followed. The Legislature in 2021 also crafted new requirements about how people can assist voters. See what you can do to help Texans vote in November
August 29, 2024
Teacher Retirement System hosting webinar tomorrow on TRS-Care Medicare Advantage option
The information session is free, but attendees must register. This is an opportunity to learn more about the plan and its lowered premium rates, explore your 2025 benefits and ask questions.
The session will begin at 10 a.m. Central Time and 9 a.m. Mountain tomorrow. register here
August 28, 2024
Squeezed by inflation and politics, a Texas food bank gets creative to keep people fed
Food banks are having to turn to creative methods to fill the gap in donations and resources they receive to feed people in need.
“Nonprofits are seeing a drop off in funding,” said Chase Head, chief development officer for the South Plains Food Bank. “Lubbock is very generous, especially the businesses, but people have to make tough decisions on where their funds are going.”
Last year, the food bank celebrated its 40th anniversary with an event featuring a Michelin-recognized chef. The event raised $200,000, helping the food bank provide 600,000 meals to about 200,000 people. The food bank hosted the event again this year, this time raising $250,000.
The food bank also has a 15-acre orchard in East Lubbock open to visitors where the team harvests apples, persimmons and other fruit.
Food banks nationally are awaiting the passage of the long-delayed federal Farm Bill, a legislative package that sets policies for food and agricultural programs. The 2018 Farm Bill was extended through Sept. 30, meaning Congress has just about a month to pass legislation that’s estimated to be worth at least $1.5 trillion. Read more
August 22, 2024
College costs weigh heavily on Texas students as they wait on late financial aid offers
The federal government gave the FAFSA a makeover last year. The goal was to simplify the form to make it easier to fill out but the launch came with a litany of errors that initially kept students from completing it. Those errors delayed financial aid awards this year, forcing students to make decisions about their education without a complete picture of how much they would receive and by when.
The delays also exacerbated education attainment gaps between low- and higher-income students. Texas students from low-income families heavily depend on federal, state and school aid to get to and through college.
For some, going to college this year has meant taking out more debt or cutting their expenses to the bone. Others are looking for a cheaper school — or questioning whether they should go to college at all. Read more
August 21, 2024
Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care services
In response to questions about why A&M discontinued the medical care, a university spokesperson said its growing student population and the resulting strain on the A.P. Beutel Health Center require officials to continuously review the services they offer and how they use the center’s resources. The spokesperson noted that the university has invested more in mental health care following a national rise in college students seeking it out.
Transgender and queer students are skeptical of that explanation and believe the university acted in response to pressure from conservative groups. They say the move shows the university is not willing to support them equally.
Students saw the move as part of a political environment that has become increasingly hostile against LGBTQ+ people in Texas. And it comes as the state’s public universities face top-down pressure to appease Republican leaders — or risk incurring their wrath during next year’s legislative session. Read more
August 19, 2024
Texas teachers are most overworked in the nation, new report shows
Texas teachers are the most overworked in the nation, according to a new study advocating for balanced workloads and higher pay in education. Twinkl, a platform that provides K-12 teaching resources to educators, surveyed 2,400 people across the country to find out how much they believe teachers should earn annually and how many hours they should work per week.
The website then compared the results to statewide data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The survey found 89% of people believe teachers are underpaid and 83% think they work too many hours for the amount of money they earn. The survey results were reported last month.
“We believe in the importance of valuing our educators, both in terms of fair compensation and manageable workloads,” said Jude Schroeder, U.S. Country Manager at Twinkl and a former educator, in a news release. “The findings from our survey highlight a crucial issue: teachers consistently work longer hours and earn less than what is perceived as fair.” Read more
August 18, 2024
A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its libraries
There was one week left of the school year when the superintendent of the South Texas Mission school district received an email with a list of 676 books a group of local pastors believed were “filthy and evil” from the personal assistant of Pastor Luis Cabrera, who leads a church in Harlingen, about 30 miles away.
Cabrera and “the community” wanted the books removed.
The email cited House Bill 900, which requires vendors to rate their books and materials for appropriateness, based on the presence of sex depictions or references, before selling them to school libraries. That law has been blocked by a federal appeals court and is not in effect. Despite that, then-superintendent of the Mission school district Carol G. Perez replied that the district would check to see if they had the books to remove them. That evening, Deputy Superintendent Sharon A. Roberts asked the district’s director for instructional technology and library services, Marissa I. Saenz, to look into removing them.
“Can you prioritize researching these books to ensure we remove them from the school libraries? Can your IT coaches help you track the location of the books to expedite this request?” Roberts wrote in an email.
A few days after the request, Saenz, the library director, replied she would review the list against the district’s collection to ensure any books that did meet the standards set in state law were weeded out. Saenz noted that Cabrera appeared to misunderstand the extent of state law and pointed out that some of the books on the list might not be sexually explicit. Read more
August 17, 2024
Supreme Court keeps block on Biden’s new Title IX regulations in some states
A divided Supreme Court refused to require some states to enforce new rules on how schools should handle complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination, leaving in place a ban on the provisions while lower-court battles continue.
The Education Department had asked the court to lift the preliminary injunctions on enforcing the rules, arguing that the decisions by federal courts in Louisiana and Kentucky to block the entirety of Title IX regulations in a number of states were overly broad. States requested the injunctions based on objections to provisions within the regulations that deal with discrimination based on gender identity.
Friday’s decision leaves in place a messy status quo, where the regulations are in effect in about half of U.S. states. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch joined the court’s three liberals in dissenting from the emergency order. Read more
August 16, 2024
Texas sues Biden again to block federal protections for transgender workers
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton returned to court on Thursday to press his case against the Biden administration’s workforce protections for transgender employees.
Texas’s lawsuit, filed in federal court on Thursday against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Justice Department, argued that the agency’s guidelines were unlawful and asked that the court permanently block them.
The EEOC’s guidance, released in April, seeks to clarify what constitutes harassment under federal law. It states that denying employees accommodations for their gender identity — such as by prohibiting an employee from using the bathroom of their gender identity or repeatedly and intentionally using a name and pronoun that is inconsistent with a person’s gender identity — is unlawful workplace harassment.
“Harassment, both in-person and online, remains a serious issue in America’s workplaces,” Charlotte Burrows, the agency’s chair, said at the time. “The EEOC’s updated guidance on harassment is a comprehensive resource that brings together best practices for preventing and remedying harassment and clarifies recent developments in the law.” Read more
August 14, 2024
After six years of low scores for students learning English, Texas educators say it’s the test’s fault
Bilingual educators are arguing changes to a state test that gauges students’ English skills could be the culprit for six years of low scores.
In 2018, the state introduced an automated scoring engine to grade the tests. Students used to speak to a teacher at their school as part of the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System. Now, they sit in front of a computer and respond to prompts through a microphone. A software program is used to recognize and evaluate student speech.
“You’re putting [students] in an artificial environment, which already reduces the ability of students to give you natural language,” said Jennifer Phillips, an educator with two decades of experience teaching bilingual students in Texas. “It’s a flawed system.”
Although passing TELPAS isn’t a graduation requirement, teachers say students who don’t test out often have to remain in English remedial courses longer. Read more
August 12, 2024
House PubEd holds hearing on vouchers
With hundreds of school districts suffering budget deficits, the House Public Education Committee should be holding hearings about the need for an increase in state funding for public schools. Instead, the committee is holding a public hearing in Austin today, Monday, Aug. 12, on taxpayer-funded voucher schemes for private schools. This is because Gov. Greg Abbott already has made vouchers, not public school funding, his top education priority for the legislative session that will convene in January.
We beat the governor in last year’s voucher fight, and he responded by refusing to let the Legislature increase state funding for public schools, despite a record, $33 billion budget surplus. Now, many schools have deficits. But Abbott is still pushing vouchers, and the fight to stop him will again be tough.
Taxpayer-paid vouchers are awful for public schools, their students and their educators. Texas public schools are already underfunded. They receive more than $5,000 less per child than the national average, and Texas teachers are paid more than $9,000 less on average than their counterparts in other states.
Vouchers, if enacted, would take billions of tax dollars from our public schools within a few years, digging even deeper holes in their budgets. And the ultimate losers will be millions of Texas students. Team TSTA, tell the members of the House Public Education Committee that you oppose vouchers in all their forms today!
August 9, 2024
More Texans join unions although national membership is down
68,000 Texans joined a union in 2023, an increase from 2022. This uptick was fueled by workers in the technology and nonprofit sectors — as well as coffee shops.
In total, there are about 586,000 union workers in Texas, a fraction of the millions who work here. And yet, the increase is somewhat remarkable given the state’s long history of hostility toward unions. And nationwide, union membership dipped during the same time. Read more
August 8, 2024
Texas’ youngest students are struggling with their learning, educators say
Students who started school during or after the COVID-19 pandemic have a harder time saying goodbye to their parents when they drop them off, Plains Independent School District Superintendent Robert McClain said.
Third graders are behind in their reading, teacher Heather Harris said, so the district hired a reading specialist to work with their youngest students.
They’re also struggling in math, San Antonio ISD Superintendent Jaime Aquino said.
“When I go into classrooms of students who are currently fourth graders or fifth graders who were either kindergarten or first grade [during the pandemic], you can see that there is a lack of mathematical fluency around basic facts,” he said. Read more
August 6, 2024
Morale among Texas teachers remains low
Almost two-thirds (65 percent) of teacher-members surveyed for the Texas State Teachers Association said they were seriously considering leaving the profession as the 2023-24 school year was coming to an end last spring. The percentage was lower than the record 70 percent who expressed similar sentiments two years earlier, but it strongly indicates that teachers’ unhappiness with the political climate toward public education in Texas remains critical. Read the full press release here.
August 5, 2024
Midland ISD to enforce cellphone ban for next school year
Midland ISD schools will now see a cellphone ban at each campus for the next school year.
On Tuesday, the board of trustees unanimously approved revisions to 18 local policies. Fifteen of the revisions were suggested by a policy consultant. Three of the revisions were locally initiated, which included and among them was updating the student policy for personal telecommunication devices.
The policy modified the previous rule regarding the prohibition of a cellphone or other electronic device during instructional time. The conversation surrounding a phone ban began at last month’s board meeting on June 25, when Trustees were discussing the Student Code of Conduct and fees and dues prior to voting on approval.
The board policy limits cellphone usage at school.
“The district permits students to possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes. Without such permission, teachers will collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office,” according to the student handbook. Read more
August 2, 2024
Four states fail in bid to block new Title IX anti-gender bias rules
A federal judge in Alabama on Tuesday refused to block the Biden administration from enforcing new anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ students in four Republican-led states, breaking with six other judges who have said the rules are invalid. Judge Annemarie Carney Axon said the Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina attorneys general challenging the Education Department standard, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity in the list of characteristics protected under sex discrimination regulations, failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in their lawsuit. In a 122-page ruling Axon, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said the claims by the states and several conservative groups were conclusory and not backed by court precedent adding: “Although Plaintiffs may dislike the Department’s rules, they have failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in proving the Department’s rulemaking was unreasonable or not reasonably explained.” She said nothing in Title IX limits the definition of sex to biological sex, and that the Education Department’s interpretation of the law was reasonable in light of the 2020 Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that a ban against workplace sex discrimination contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 covered gay and transgender workers, applied to Title IX. The case is Alabama v. Cardona, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, No. 7:24-cv-00533.
July 31, 2024
Texas teachers spend more on school supplies than in other states, data shows
Texas teachers outspend their counterparts from all 50 states on yearly school supply purchases for their classrooms, according to survey released Monday as educators prepare for the 2024-25 school year.
The survey, which sampled 50 teachers from each state for 2,500 teachers nationwide, found that educators in Texas spend on average $1,396 per year on school supplies for their classrooms, compared to the nationwide average of $915.
According to the survey, 93% of teachers dip into their own money for school supplies, including pens, paper, ink, classroom decorations, educational aids, cleaning supplies and even snacks. Read more
July 29, 2024
Fifty one school districts violating hair discrimination ban, says ACLU
The ACLU of Texas has accused 51 school districts in the state of violating the Texas CROWN Act, which bans race-based hair discrimination. The civil-rights group has sent letters to each district warning them that they are breaking the law by refusing to comply. The Texas CROWN Act, passed in May 2023, prohibits schools, workplaces, and housing authorities from discriminating against hairstyles historically associated with race. The ACLU is demanding immediate compliance from all school districts to ensure that students of color are free to express their racial and cultural identity. While some districts have already pledged to bring their policies in line with the CROWN Act, others have yet to respond. The ACLU’s full list of noncompliant districts is available online. Read more
July 26, 2024
Abbott launches sentinel to enhance school safety in Texas
Governor Greg Abbott has announced the launch of Sentinel, a comprehensive system designed to enhance the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff in school buildings across Texas. Provided by the Texas Education Agency’s Office of School Safety and Security, Sentinel will enable robust monitoring of school systems’ implementation and operation of safety and security policies. The system standardizes Behavioral Threat Assessments (BTAs) into a single reporting mechanism, helping schools identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Read more
July 25, 2024
TRS approves significant reductions in TRS-Care Medicare Advantage premiums for next year
The agency said the cuts in the Medicare Advantage premiums, approved by the TRS board last week, were made possible by major savings from changes in the Medicare regulatory landscape. The 2025 monthly premiums for retirees only were cut by $60, for retiree and spouse by $249, for retiree and children by $60 and for retiree and family by $407.
TRS approved a limited period – Oct. 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026 – for Medicare-eligible retirees and their eligible dependents to enroll in or rejoin TRS-Care Medicare Advantage.
TRS-Care Standard premiums will remain unchanged. TRS said these premiums offer competitive pricing at 20 to 30 percent of the cost of individual market plans. But IRS guidelines will require increases to deductibles in 2025 so that pre-Medicare participants can continue to contribute to and use a health savings account, the agency noted.
The TRS board also approved rates and other coverage details for the new TRS-Care Dental and TRS-Care Vision plans that will begin Jan. 1. Enrollment will run from Oct. 1 to Dec. 7, and participants will not need to have TRS-Care medical coverage to sign up. They can choose dental, vision or both.
For more information about all these changes – including premiums, deductibles and co-pays for the new dental and vision programs – click here.
July 24, 2024
NEA recommends Harris for president
Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, announced that the country’s largest labor union is recommending Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
“Vice President Harris’ track record speaks volumes,” Pringle said. “She shares educators’ priorities: supporting our students no matter their race, where they live or how much money their parents make. She has worked to strengthen public education, build up the middle class and resource our communities.”
She added: “Now is the time to reclaim public education as a common good and to elect a leader ready to work hand in hand with educators to promote, protect and strengthen our public schools.”
July 22, 2024
Kamala Harris and her record on K-12 education
Following President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he is dropping out of the 2024 race for the White House, and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket, Education Week takes a look at what it might mean for the party’s K-12 policy agenda. In her 2020 primary campaign, Harris advocated for universal preschool and free college and called for a $13,500 raise for every teacher by the end of her first term. Read more
July 19, 2024
NCES data: Pandemic’s lingering effects fuel classroom disruptions
New data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) highlights that student inattention continues to disrupt learning in public schools. During the 2023-24 school year, 26% of school leaders cited inattention as having a “severe negative impact” on learning, with 75% noting at least a “moderate” impact. Read more
July 18, 2024
Biden administration’s Title IX rule expanding LGBTQ+ protections blocked
A federal appeals court has upheld an injunction blocking the Biden administration’s new Title IX rule designed to expand protections for LGBTQ+ students. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals maintained the ruling from a Kentucky federal district judge, affecting six states: Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Read more
July 17, 2024
Elon Musk says he’ll move X and SpaceX to Texas
Elon Musk seems to be done with California. On Tuesday, he said he will move the headquarters of his social media platform X and his space company SpaceX from California to Texas.
Musk credits a new state law as the reason for wanting to move the two headquarters. California Gov. Newsom recently signed a law prohibiting mandates for teachers to notify families if they learn about changes to students’ gender identity.
There’s already a SpaceX launch facility near Brownsville, where locals have had mixed reactions to the space travel hub. Read more
July 16, 2024
Court orders release of Uvalde shooting records for transparency
A Texas district court has mandated that the Uvalde school district and sheriff’s office release all records related to the Robb Elementary School shooting, including police body camera footage and 911 calls. This decision, announced last week by the 38th Judicial District Court of Uvalde County, responds to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of news organizations, led by The Texas Tribune, after their open-records requests were consistently denied. The ruling highlights a significant move towards governmental transparency following the May 24, 2022 tragedy that left 19 children and two adults dead. The public and media argued that access to these records is crucial to understand the failures in police response during the incident, which significantly delayed confronting the teenage gunman. While Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell opposed the release, citing potential interference with ongoing criminal investigations, the court’s decision underscores the importance of public knowledge and accountability in such critical incidents. The entities involved have been given until July 28 to comply with the order. Read more
July 15, 2024
Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law draws attention to a 1980 Supreme Court decision
The appeal of the 1980 Supreme Court decision on the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms in Kentucky is being revisited due to a similar law in Louisiana. The Kentucky Supreme Court had upheld the law, but the challengers sought a review from the U.S. Supreme Court. The court decided to rule on the case without full merits briefing or oral arguments, issuing a summary reversal. Justice William J. Brennan Jr. wrote the opinion, stating that the posting of the Ten Commandments in school classrooms is religious in nature and violates the Establishment Clause. The new Louisiana law, requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools, is facing legal challenges based on the Stone v. Graham precedent. Critics argue that the law is unconstitutional and promotes religious bias. Supporters, however, believe that recent Supreme Court decisions have shown more deference to religious expression in the public sphere. Nevertheless, legal experts predict that the Louisiana law will likely be held unconstitutional based on the similarities to the Kentucky case. Read more
July 14, 2024
Challenging myths: The reality of teachers’ summers and workload
Contrary to popular belief, teachers’ summers are not as leisurely as many imagine. A report by the National Council on Teacher Quality highlights that despite the public perception of a three-month break, teachers often engage in numerous activities during the summer. These include teaching summer school, engaging in professional development, and planning for the upcoming academic year. Moreover, some teachers take on additional jobs to supplement their income. The idea that teachers have an extended vacation is a significant misperception that overlooks their continuous efforts in education and personal preparation for the academic year ahead, underscoring the dedication required in this profession. Read more
July 13, 2024
Oppose extreme GOP funding bill
Last summer, the House GOP majority attempted to drastically cut funding for public schools and decimate Title I in particular. Their efforts failed because a quarter million educators, parents, and allies spoke out against those cuts.
It’s time for round 2. Last week, the House GOP majority passed out of the Appropriations Committee another shortsighted, devastating plan to slash public education, calling for a 14 percent overall cut to education, a 25 percent cut to Title I, a 50 percent cut to Full-Service Community Schools, elimination of educator professional development funding and the English Language Learner program, and blocking efforts to help those receiving student debt relief.
Make no mistake, this bill, like last year’s will fail. But only if we raise our voices again.
July 12, 2024
Students target teachers in group TikTok attack, shaking their school
Seventh and eighth graders in Malvern, Pa., impersonating their teachers posted disparaging, lewd, racist and homophobic videos in the first known mass attack of its kind in the U.S. Read more
July 9, 2024
Judge blocks anti-discrimination rule in multiple states
A federal judge in Kansas has blocked a federal rule expanding anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students from being enforced in four states and a patchwork of places elsewhere across the nation. U.S. District Judge John Broomes suggested in his ruling that the Biden administration must now consider whether forcing compliance remains “worth the effort.” The rule applies in Alaska, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, and also to a Stillwater, Oklahoma, middle school that has a student suing over the rule and to members of three groups backing Republican efforts nationwide to roll back LGBTQ+ rights. Broomes directed the three groups to file a list of schools in which their members’ children are students so that their schools also do not comply with the rule.
The Biden administration rule is set to take effect in August under the Title IX civil rights law passed in 1972. Republicans have argued that the rule represents a plan by the Biden administration to allow transgender females to play on girls’ and women’s sports teams. LGBTQ+ youth, their parents, health care providers, and others say restrictions on transgender youth harms their mental health and makes an often marginalized group even more vulnerable.
The Department of Education did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday. Two other federal judges issued rulings in mid-June blocking the new rule in 10 other states. The rule would protect LGBTQ+ students by expanding the definition of sexual harassment at schools and colleges and adding safeguards for victims. Read more
July 8, 2024
Houston area sees heavy rains, flash floods as Beryl moves inland
A wide swath of Texas is expected to receive several inches of rain Monday as the remnants of Beryl is forecast to move northeast across the state. At 8 a.m., the eye of the storm was located about 30 miles southwest of Houston and was moving northward at 12 miles per hour, according to a National Hurricane Center advisory. Winds had slowed slightly to 75 miles per hour, down from the 80-mile-per-hour winds that hit Matagorda earlier in the morning. Storm updates here
July 5, 2024
Fort Worth ISD layoffs exceed initial estimates
Back in February, Fort Worth ISD officials announced layoffs due to the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funding. However, new records obtained show a larger scale of terminations, with only a fraction funded through COVID-19 relief money. The district cut 133 positions, blaming the expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. But records reveal 254 cut positions, with only 63 funded by ESSER. Data analysts were the largest group affected, and some elementary school teaching positions were also cut. The district did not address the disparity between the announced 133 positions and the actual 254 positions. The loss of federal funding has forced districts to make difficult decisions. Experts suggest that states should learn from this investment and sustain it. Texas, which does not have income taxes, has reduced school property taxes but has not increased teacher pay. Read more
July 2, 2024
Unclear enforcement looms over Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law
It’s unclear whether the new law that requires a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in Louisiana classrooms has any teeth to enforce the requirement and penalize those who refuse to comply. The logistics for the implementation and enforcement of the law remain unclear. Supporters of the law believe that donations will cover the cost of the thousands of posters needed, while critics argue that it is an unfunded mandate that could burden schools. The Louisiana Department of Education is required to provide resources for free posters. The law does not specify any repercussions for noncompliance, and it is uncertain who will be responsible for enforcement.
The law has faced legal challenges and opposition from some school boards. A lawsuit has been filed by nine families, represented by groups including the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church & State. The plaintiffs, who hold diverse religious beliefs, argue that the mandate violates fundamental principles of religious freedom by imposing religious dictates in educational settings. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s state superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters, who issued the directive requiring the incorporation of the Bible into curriculums, has said that the idea of separating church and state is a “myth” and he is confident the mandate will hold up to legal scrutiny. Read more
July 1, 2024
TSTA announces the passing of a dedicated leader
It is with profound sadness that the Texas State Teachers Association announces the passing of Richard Kouri, our executive director and a dedicated advocate for Texas public education.
On behalf of TSTA, President Ovidia Molina released this statement, “Richard was one of a kind and worked tirelessly his entire career for our public school students and educators. He was a high school English teacher, local union president, preceded me as our state union president, director of public affairs, and finally executive director of TSTA. He had an unwavering commitment to making our public schools and communities better, and believed support for public education was the cornerstone of our democracy. Richard will be greatly missed, even as his legacy continues to inspire the many whose lives he impacted and all who loved him.”
Kouri died on June 28 in Austin, following a long illness. A visitation will be held Friday, July 5 from 4 to 8 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd in Austin. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
June 30, 2024
Public concerns raised over proposed religious curriculum in Texas schools
Members of the public in Texas have expressed concerns about a proposed elementary school curriculum that includes religious references. The curriculum, unveiled by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), features religious texts, with the Bible being the most heavily used source. Critics argue that the curriculum is biased towards Christianity and not suitable for a classical education. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath defends the curriculum, stating that it is based on extensive cognitive science research and will improve students’ reading and math scores. The Texas State Board of Education will decide whether to approve the curriculum in November. If approved, school districts that use it will receive up to $60 per student. The proposed curriculum has drawn praise from top Republican officials but has raised concerns among some school district leaders, parents, and education advocates. The controversy reflects a larger effort in Texas and across the country to inject conservative Christianity into public life, including public schools. Read more
June 29, 2024
Google adds generative AI to education products
Google has introduced generativeAI to its education products, aiming to address some of the challenges faced by schools. The tech firm’s generative AI model, Gemini, is now available as an add-on for educational institutions using Google’s Workspace for Education. This allows educators to access genAI features in Google’s Workspace apps, such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail, as well as the Gemini chatbot. Other ed-tech companies, including Microsoft and Khan Academy, have also incorporated AI features into their education products. However, concerns about data privacy and academic integrity remain. Jennie Magiera, Google’s global head of education impact, believes that AI can enhance educators’ ability to personalize learning for students. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a human element in education and using technology as a tool to support educators. Magiera also addresses concerns about AI’s impact on critical thinking skills, stating that AI can actually enhance creativity by freeing up time spent on rote tasks. She encourages educators to view AI as a starter rather than a replacement for human input. Magiera emphasizes the need for schools to be judicious in their use of AI and to consider the impact and opportunities it presents. Google is collaborating with various organizations to research AI’s effects on teaching and learning. Magiera hopes that AI integration in K-12 education will be approached in a thoughtful, equitable, and intentional manner.
June 28, 2024
Former Uvalde schools police chief and officer indicted for slow response to massacre
The former Uvalde schools police chief and another former officer have been indicted over their role in the slow police response to the 2022 massacre at a Texas elementary school that left 19 children and two teachers dead. Former police Chief Pete Arredondo and former officer Adrian Gonzales were indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of felony child endangerment and abandonment. The indictments come more than two years after the shooting, and make Arredondo and Gonzales the first officers to face criminal charges in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. A report by Texas lawmakers described Gonzales as one of the first officers to enter the building after the shooting began. The indictments were kept under seal until the men were in custody, and both were expected to turn themselves in today. Read more
June 27, 2024
Why U.S. Schools Are Facing Their Biggest Budget Crunch in Years
After several cash-flush pandemic years, school districts across the country are facing budget shortfalls, with pressure closing in on multiple fronts. A flow of federal dollars — $122 billion meant to help schools recover from the pandemic — is running dry in September, leaving schools with less money for tutors, summer school and other supports that have funded pandemic recovery efforts over the last three years. Read more
June 26, 2024
State Board of Education approves 4 new charter schools in Texas
Four new charter schools are one step closer to opening in Texas after the State Board of Education voted to approve them Friday.
On Wednesday, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath recommended SBOE members approve five schools. The board greenlit the opening of Infinite Minds in Arlington, Pathway Academy in Big Spring, The Texas Girls School in Austin and Unparalleled Preparatory Academy in Manor.
Members rejected Visionary STEM Academy’s application to open in Terrell. Marisa Perez-Diaz, a San Antonio Democrat representing the SBOE’s District 3, who cast one of the 11 votes to veto the charter, said she sought more specifics in the school’s plan.
“I want to see names of individuals who have already been along with you in the journey that have committed to supporting you before you get your charter,” Perez-Diaz said. “For me, the responses we received are still incredibly insufficient for me.” Read more
June 24, 2024
TSTA member receives an NEA Human and Civil Rights Award
Alejandro De La Peña Jr, a special education teacher in Ysleta ISD and member of the Ysleta Teachers Association, is the 2024 recipient of the George I Sánchez Memorial Award for his celebration of social-emotional learning and work to ensure that all students have access to equitable educational opportunities.
De La Peña’s work in securing grants and donations for low-income students has made him a beloved community leader well beyond his classroom walls in El Paso. The first person in his family to graduate from high school, De La Peña’s work with at-risk students, Special Olympians, under- privileged youth and homeless families has helped transform the lives of countless Hispanic children in his community.
He and eight other award recipients will be honored July 3 as part of the NEA’s Representative Assembly in Philadelphia.
Learn more about De La Peña.
Read about all the awards recipients.
June 21, 2024
Fewer Texas students seek financial aid for college after this year’s bungled FAFSA rollout
Many Texas high school graduates are heading into the summer without completing the federal form to request financial aid for college, a critical step that could ultimately determine whether they seek a degree.
The rollout of a revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid this year has been fraught with complications, making it difficult for students to complete the form and pushing back colleges’ timelines for awarding financial aid.
An analysis of the latest federal data reveals the hurdles have led to fewer high schoolers seeking financial aid for college this year. According to data through June 7, Texas high school graduates’ FAFSA completion rates fell by 8.8 percentage points, or by almost 30,000 students, compared to this time last year. The decline is sharper than the one the state saw in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
June 20, 2024
Louisiana requires Ten Commandments in public school classrooms
Louisiana legislators have voted to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom. The legislation, signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, mandates a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms, from kindergarten to state-funded universities. Opponents question the law’s constitutionality and plan to challenge it in court. Proponents argue that the measure is not solely religious, but has historical significance. The law also authorizes the display of other items in schools, including the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance. Civil rights groups and organizations that advocate for the separation of church and state have promised to file a lawsuit against the legislation. Similar bills have been proposed in other states, but Louisiana is the first to succeed in making it law. Legal battles over the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms are not new, with a similar Kentucky law being ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980. Read more
June 19, 2024
K-12 closures: The hidden cost – study reveals long-term harm to degrees, jobs
Students who attend schools that close during their K-12 career experience negative effects on their education and employment. Research has shown that school closures have a short-term impact on students’ academic achievement, but a new study reveals that the effects often extend well past graduation. Students who went through a school closure were less likely to attend and complete college, and their earnings were lower compared to their peers. The study also found immediate disruptions to learning, with drops in test scores and increased disciplinary actions following school closures. The negative effects were more pronounced among Hispanic students, economically disadvantaged students, and students in middle or high school. School closures disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income families. The study highlights the need to pay attention to vulnerable students during the closure process. School closures primarily occur due to drops in enrollment, but poor performance is also a factor. The study emphasizes the long-term negative impact of school closures, worsening inequality in education. Read more
June 18, 2024
SCOTUS to hear case on e-rate program for schools
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving the E-rate program, which provides discounted internet and telecommunications services to schools. The case, Wisconsin Bell Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath, involves a telecom provider facing a civil trial for allegedly overcharging schools under the program. The E-rate program requires service providers to charge schools the lowest corresponding price for similar services. The court also declined to hear a case involving a school resource officer’s use of a Taser on a student with a disability. The case, J.W. v. Paley, involved a student who had a violent outburst at his high school. The court’s decision to decline the case means that the lower court’s ruling, which granted qualified immunity to the resource officer, stands. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the E-rate case in its next term. Read more
June 17, 2024
TEA reports decline in math and science scores Spring 2024 STAAR results
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has reported a decline in mathematics and science performance among students in grades 3-8 according to the Spring 2024 STAAR assessment results. The data indicates that math proficiency levels have not yet returned to their pre-pandemic standards. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath expressed concern over these results, emphasizing the need for improved math performance to ensure students’ future success. In contrast, reading-language arts scores varied, with decreases noted in grades 3, 5, and 8, each by 2%, and increases in grades 4 and 6 by three and four percentage points, respectively. Social studies scores remained consistent with the previous year. High school students showed stable performance overall in the redesigned STAAR tests launched in 2023. Read more
June 13, 2024
Democrats think they can flip Texas House seats by going after GOP’s education funding and school voucher policies
Democratic leaders in Texas are looking to zero in on education issues as they seek to flip several Texas House seats this fall.
What are Democrats’ arguments? At last week’s Texas Democratic Convention, party leaders heavily criticized Gov. Greg Abbott’s push to provide taxpayer funds for private school tuition. Historically, Democrats and rural Republicans have united against school voucher measures, arguing such measures could take money away from public schools. During the last legislative session, Abbott had threatened to veto education funding that did not include school vouchers.
The Democratic Party also looks to blame GOP lawmakers for teacher shortages and school closures. Lawmakers last year, in the Republican-led state House and Senate, failed to tap into the state’s $33 billion budget surplus to help boost school funding. Read more
June 12, 2024
Does tough love in grading work?
The ongoing debate among educators about the efficacy of “tough love” in grading has resurfaced, highlighting varied opinions on its role in enhancing student performance on standardized tests. This discussion was rekindled by a 2020 report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which suggested that stringent grading correlates with better standardized test outcomes. As this topic gained traction on social media, teachers shared their insights, questioning the real value of high test scores and criticizing the focus on standardized testing as a true measure of student learning. Many educators argue that rigorous grading standards, where ‘A’ represents exceptional work and ‘C’ is average, maintain the integrity of academic evaluations by ensuring grades reflect genuine achievement and effort. This approach is contrasted by others advocating for a nuanced grading scale that offers a clearer depiction of student progress and abilities, potentially increasing engagement from students and parents. Furthermore, the discussion reflects a consensus on the necessity of combining high expectations with robust support systems. Educators emphasize the importance of feedback and the opportunity for students to learn from their mistakes without facing harsh penalties, promoting an educational environment focused on continuous improvement rather than punitive measures. Overall, the dialogue underscores a shift towards a more supportive and balanced educational approach that prioritizes meaningful learning and comprehensive development over mere performance on tests. Read more
June 11, 2024
More than half of U.S. states require schools to provide free period products
More than half of the states in the U.S. have legislation requiring K-12 schools to provide free period products or offer funding for schools to purchase them. Access to pads and tampons in schools is crucial for keeping low-income students in class when they get their periods. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, 21 states require K-12 schools to have period products available for students, but only about half of them provide funding for it. Lacey Gero, director of government relations for the Alliance for Period Supplies, emphasized the importance of both funding and a mandated requirement for successful implementation. Pennsylvania could be the next state to legislate access, with a proposed $3m grant fund for low-income districts to purchase period products. Other states already offer funding for supplies. “What we’ve seen over the years is that those states that have provided funding in the budget along with a mandated requirement, they’re having more successful implementations, and students are seeing products more consistently in schools,” said Gero. Read more
June 9, 2024
School districts and libraries can seek federal grants to protect against cyberattacks
School districts and libraries in the U.S. can now apply for federal grants to protect themselves against cyberattacks. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a pilot program that will provide up to $200m in competitive grants over three years. The grants will help schools and libraries purchase advanced cybersecurity equipment such as firewalls and anti-virus protection technology. Cyberattacks have become a severe problem for schools, with 80% of K-12 schools targeted by ransomware in the past year. The FCC’s pilot program will determine whether further resources should be directed towards cybersecurity equipment for schools and libraries on a permanent basis. The program has received support from education groups, although it is acknowledged that the $200 million investment is not enough to meet the cybersecurity needs of all schools. Critics argue that the root problem lies in leadership, training, and capacity, rather than the lack of protective technology. However, advocates believe that the investment in upgraded equipment is a positive first step in addressing the critical need for cybersecurity in schools. Read more
June 8, 2024
Two new webinars for educators next week
June 10 – Leaning into Hard Conversations: Why We Must Discuss Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Racism to Maintain Our Multicultural Communities. Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and a surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents, this panel discussion features Wajahat Ali, Amy Spitalnick, and Eric Ward tackling the tough conversations around hate and racism. They will explore how these issues intersect and how we can engage respectfully. With their extensive experience in combating hate groups and fostering diverse coalitions, the panelists will model a path forward that rejects divisive tactics and promotes a shared commitment to multicultural democracy. Join us June 10 @ 6:30PM CT: https://nea-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TTFrY78pQ7WFKN-KbO9oCg
June 12 – Educator Mental Health: It’s Okay to Be Not Okay. The NEA Health and Safety Program and Active Minds, a leading mental health non-profit organization, have partnered on a presentation on educators’ mental health, including approaches to discussing mental health in educational environments, how to advocate for mental health services and resources, and ways to identify mental health needs both within yourself and among your peers. The webinar will be held on June 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CT. Link to register: https://www.mobilize.us/nea/event/633667/
June 7, 2024
High school students’ math scores are still lagging, STAAR results show
Partial scores from the state’s standardized test released Friday show high school students are still struggling with algebra, once again raising concerns about young Texans’ readiness to enter high-paying careers in STEM-related fields.
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness end-of-course tests evaluate high-schoolers in five subjects: Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II and U.S. History. The exams gauge whether students’ grasp of a subject is appropriate for their grade level and if they need additional help to catch up.
The percentage of students who took the test this spring and met grade level for Algebra I was 45%, the same as last year. Since the pandemic, students’ academic performance in the subject has remained mostly unchanged. The latest results are still 17 percentage points below students’ scores in spring 2019. Read more
June 6, 2024
Austin ISD considers school closures amid budget shortfall
In response to a worsening budget deficit, which has increased from $60m to $89m, Austin ISD is contemplating severe measures, including potential school closures. School board Trustee Candace Hunter raised the issue during a meeting on May 9, suggesting that the district might need to consider such actions in the future. Superintendent Matias Segura, though reluctant, acknowledged the possibility of discussing school closures within three years if financial conditions do not improve. The district has outlined a three-year plan to address the deficit, hoping for community support through a voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) in November to raise an additional $40m. Should the VATRE fail and if the Texas legislature does not increase school funding in the 2025 session, Austin ISD may be forced to implement painful cuts that could affect student education directly, such as increased class sizes, reduced teacher planning time, and potential layoffs. Previously, in 2019, Austin ISD closed several schools primarily on the Eastside due to enrollment declines caused by gentrification. The decision faced strong opposition and accusations of racism from the affected communities. As the financial outlook remains uncertain, the district is bracing for tough decisions ahead to stabilize its financial health and maintain educational quality.
June 5, 2024
Public education is not Sunday school
Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina released the following statement about the proposed instructional and curriculum materials that include biblical references:
The Texas State Teachers Association urges state officials to be careful in adding stories from the Bible and other biblical references to instructional materials or curriculum used in Texas public schools. Our public schools were created to teach facts to children of all religions or no religion, not to indoctrinate students in the teachings of selected religions. This is consistent with the separation of church and state principle under which our country has operated since its beginning. Read our full statement
June 4, 2024
TEA proposes new curriculum for public schools
The Texas Education Agency has issued a proposed curriculum for public schools, allowing parents to provide feedback until August 16. The curriculum, which aims to standardize education across the state, has received criticism for including Biblical teachings and references in the language arts section. However, state leaders argue that other religious teachings are also included. Governor Greg Abbott supports the curriculum, emphasizing the need for high-quality, consistent education in all school districts. The TEA’s move to regain control over curriculum has sparked debate, with some expressing concerns about potential indoctrination. The curriculum is not mandatory for schools, but those that adopt it will receive additional state funding. The TEA encourages public participation to make the curriculum more reflective of all students.
June 3, 2024
Ysleta ISD faces nearly $14m deficit in 2024-25 school year
Ysleta ISD in El Paso is expected to adopt a $405m budget with a near $14m deficit for the upcoming school year. The district has been grappling with rising costs and declining enrollment for over three decades, with an estimated loss of 1,000 students projected for the next school year. Ysleta ISD Superintendent Xavier De La Torre stated that the deficit is a “worst-case scenario,” depending on various factors. This would be the third consecutive year that the district has adopted a budget without sufficient revenue to cover expenses. Efforts are being made to increase revenue by boosting attendance and cutting expenses through the elimination of vacant positions. Ysleta ISD, unlike neighboring districts, cannot ask for a tax increase due to the homestead exemption. If the deficit persists, the district will need to tap into its reserves. Read more
May 31, 2024
Fort Worth ISD reverses decision, offers free school supplies for elementary students
The Fort Worth ISD has reversed its decision to discontinue the distribution of free school supplies to elementary students. Superintendent Angélica Ramsey announced the change, stating that the district was able to identify resources to continue providing supplies. The supplies were initially set to be discontinued due to the expiration of federal relief money. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund, distributed to school districts during the pandemic, will now support the initiative for at least one more school year. The district did not provide details on the specific supplies or whether middle and high school campuses will also receive funds. The cost of supplies has decreased each year, with $2.1m allocated for the upcoming school year. Read more
May 30, 2024
State Board of Education seeking public comment on new instructional materials
SBOE announced the public comment period for so-called “high quality instructional materials” as part of a new review and approval process created by House Bill 1605, a new law enacted last year. During this first cycle, 25 publishers submitted 142 products for review. These materials include full-subject, Tier 1 instructional materials (intended for classroom-wide instruction) in K-5 reading and language arts and K-12 mathematics. Partial-subject instructional materials for K-3 phonics were also submitted.
The new law also directed the Texas Education Agency to develop a set of state-owned instructional materials, or Open Education Resources (OER). There are currently two sets of OER textbooks being reviewed as part of this process:
- K-5 reading and language arts
- K-8 algebra and mathematics
TSTA opposed HB 1605 because it provides incentives for a state curriculum at the expense of local control of instructional material selections. The instructional materials undergo an internal approval process according to a rubric that is written so narrowly that it essentially permits only OER products, or anything developed to mimic OER, to pass the test. The OER products include scripted materials with strict scope and sequence, such as products offered by Amplify, that TSTA believes reduce the professionalism of educators and are bad for students, especially students in need of differentiated instruction.
You can review the instructional materials and Texas OER textbooks here.
May 28, 2024
Texas school funding crisis: Abbott denies relief
An editorial in the Austin American-Statesman claims that Governor Greg Abbott is ignoring students across the state, amid many school districts facing financial distress. Gov Abbott turned down a request for a special session this month from 39 House Democrats. The Democrats wanted 30 days to discuss increasing state money for school safety and per student. Campus safety expenses, inflation, and a base budget level per student that has remained unchanged since 2019 are all major problems for many districts. Austin ISD, which was facing a $89m shortfall, revealed plans to reduce it to $59m through cost-cutting measures like 42 central office layoffs and reducing overtime, contracts, and other expenses. In addition, the school board is considering a tax increase that would add $44m to the district’s $956m budget, allowing for additional needs and a 3% pay increase for teachers. Read more
May 26, 2024
Schools illegally suspended homeless students
Despite a 2019 law banning schools from suspending homeless students from school grounds, thousands of homeless students have been illegally suspended from Texas schools. The Texas Education Agency has not taken an active role in enforcing the law, and many school leaders have failed to ensure compliance. The lack of training and oversight has allowed districts to continue issuing illegal suspensions without consequences. The law was intended to protect vulnerable homeless students who rely on school for food, shelter, and education. However, the law’s implementation has been incomplete, and the exact number of illegal suspensions is difficult to measure due to data tracking issues. Children’s advocates are calling for changes to the law and increased support for homeless students. Read more
May 25, 2024
Laredo ISD launches second annual summer lunch program
Laredo ISD is launching its second annual summer lunch program to provide free meals to children in need. The Summer Meals Program, hosted by D.D. Hachar Elementary School, offers free lunches to children and young adults between the ages of 1-18. The program is open to all children, regardless of enrollment in summer school, and is available at various locations throughout the district. LISD Child Nutrition Program Director Robert Cuellar Jr. aims to surpass last year’s distribution of 144,000 meals and welcomes children from outside the district to participate. The program has received recognition for providing nutritious and appealing meals, earning gold status in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Turnip the Beet challenge. D.D. Hachar Elementary School, which won the “Be a Star with School Breakfast” singing competition, hosted the kickoff event. The program aims to combat hunger and ensure that children have access to nutritious meals during the summer vacation. Read more
May 24, 2024
Documents detail how Texas’ DEI ban is changing university campuses
In the most comprehensive picture yet of how Texas’ DEI ban has changed campuses across the state, recent communications with lawmakers reveal the range of steps university leaders have taken to comply with the law and keep billions in state funding.
University system leaders described their efforts in written responses to Sen. Brandon Creighton, the author of the DEI ban, after the Conroe Republican warned them they could lose their funding or face legal consequences if they weren’t following the law, which went into effect in January.
In documents obtained by The Texas Tribune and in public testimony before senators, leaders from all of Texas’ seven university systems said they have closed multicultural offices, fired or reassigned DEI staff and stopped requiring diversity statements, or letters in which job candidates in academia share their previous efforts to promote diverse learning spaces and help students of all backgrounds succeed. Read more
May 23, 2024
White House aims to expand access to African American history
An interagency initiative by the Biden administration seeking to protect and increase access to literature and other resources on African American history aims to “preserve African American history” for public school students, the White House announced Friday on the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.
The effort is an extension of President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library Services.
“This effort will bolster African American history and culture as integral, indelible parts of American history,” the White House said in a press release.
The announcement came as part of a broader Biden administration push to support school diversity. Read more
May 22, 2024
Families of Uvalde shooting victims sue Texas DPS officers for waiting to confront gunman
Relatives of 17 children killed and two kids injured in Texas’ deadliest school shooting are suing Texas Department of Public Safety officers who were among hundreds of law enforcement that waited 77 minutes to confront the gunman at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary, lawyers announced Wednesday.
“Nearly 100 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom,” Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed, said in a statement.
The legal action against 92 DPS officers comes days before the two-year anniversary of the shooting in which an 18-year-old used an AR-15 to kill 19 students and two teachers in two adjoining fourth-grade classrooms.
Relatives of most of those students killed and two who were injured also announced Wednesday that they are suing Mandy Gutierrez, who was the principal at Robb at the time, and Pedro “Pete” Arredondo, who was the school district police chief, for their “inaction” that day. Read more
May 21, 2024
Waiting for STAAR results? Here’s what to know
The school year is coming to a close, but families still have a few weeks to wait to see how students performed on state assessments.
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, known commonly as STAAR, is Texas’s testing program. The tests measure what students learn each year in reading, writing, math, science and social studies and determine whether a student is ready for the next grade level.
Students in grades 3-8 took STAAR tests this spring. Students in high school-level English I, English II, Algebra, Biology and U.S. History courses also take end-of-course exams.
Families can expect to start seeing results in June.
The STAAR test was redesigned last year to incorporate more open-ended questions. The state has also recently introduced automated scoring by computers for open-ended written response questions.
Computers will grade this year’s written responses, with a quarter of responses rescored by humans. Read more
May 20, 2024
Addressing persistent literacy challenges in secondary education
Recent data reveals a persistent literacy crisis among middle and high school students in the U.S., with nearly 3 in 10 8th graders lacking basic mastery in reading. A RAND report highlights that secondary English/language arts teachers frequently find themselves teaching foundational reading skills typically taught in earlier education levels. This situation points to significant gaps in reading proficiency that extend beyond the elementary years, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in older students’ reading education. The RAND study raises important questions about how such students go unnoticed for so long and what can be done to support them more effectively. Experts suggest that increasing awareness of these issues, implementing appropriate assessments, and adopting supportive teaching strategies are crucial steps towards addressing this problem. Engaging students in discussions about their challenges and providing targeted, empathic support can help bridge the literacy gap and improve educational outcomes for all students. Read more
May 17, 2024
Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M students’ housing woes
Starting in June, College Station will enforce an occupancy ordinance that prohibits more than four unrelated people from renting a single-family unit together — and students in housing arrangements that exceeds the ordinance will be liable to fines similar to parking tickets.
While a version of the rule has already existed in the city for around a century, it had remained largely unenforced. The push for some kind of enforcement started about two years ago amid simmering tensions between A&M students living in single-family units near campus and homeowners in those neighborhoods.
May 16, 2024
Texas tax dollars have been spent to help fund out-of-state charter schools; TSTA calls for legislative investigation
The story by Spectrum TV, which aired this week, said the Texas funding was used to help prop up struggling Colorado charters that are part of Third Future Schools, a chain founded by Mike Miles, who now is superintendent of Houston ISD. Miles was appointed to the HISD post by state Education Commissioner Mike Morath when the state took over the campus last year.
According to the TV report, more than $2 million — maybe more — was sent to the Colorado charters through Ector County ISD, which had a charter contract with Third Future Schools in Odessa. The money was transferred before Miles took the Houston ISD job, but the story noted that Miles remained a paid consultant for the charter chain, at least for a while, after he started working at HISD.
The report comes as many Texas school districts, including Houston ISD, are wrestling with spending cuts because of deficits. HISD’s deficit alone has been reported as more than $400 million, and Miles is planning extensive staff layoffs, among other budget reductions.
Much of the funding shortages are the result of Gov. Greg Abbott’s and the Legislature’s failure last year to increase funding for public schools, beginning with the basic allotment. Despite a record $33 billion budget surplus, Abbott refused to approve higher funding for public schools after lawmakers failed to pass his top education priority, a multibillion-dollar voucher giveaway for private schools.
Miles denied any wrongdoing, responding that all administrative fees for Third Future Schools in both Texas and Colorado are directed to the charter chain’s central office, which is based in Colorado.
TSTA President Ovidia Molina said funding was “dire” for public education now, with many teachers leaving and some schools in danger of closing. She called for a legislative investigation of the education tax dollars being moved to Colorado.
“I don’t know where it says (in state law) we can take our public school money and send it to another state,” she said. “But if there is any place that says that, it is wrong and needs to be changed.” Watch story
May 15, 2024
White House summit targets chronic absenteeism with community engagement initiatives
The White House’s “Every Day Counts Summit” tackled the surge in chronic absenteeism since returning to in-person classes, focusing on community engagement to promote attendance. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the crucial role of community in ensuring daily attendance, highlighting the distressing statistic that more than one in four students were chronically absent in recent years, significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. New initiatives announced include $250m in grants for learning acceleration and a partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics to support parents. The summit showcased strategies like Connecticut’s door-knocking campaigns, which have proven effective by addressing specific family issues behind absenteeism. States like Rhode Island and Indiana are using real-time data dashboards to monitor attendance, part of broader efforts to mitigate chronic absenteeism through community and state-level engagement. Read more
May 14, 2024
Houston Democrat Jon Rosenthal calls for increased school funding
Representative Jon Rosenthal and other members of the House have written a letter urging Texas Governor Abbott to address the severe financial challenges faced by school districts due to inflation and chronic underfunding. The representatives argue that the state’s failure to improve school funding since 2019 has led to these issues. They emphasize that Texas has a surplus of about $18bn, which should be used to better fund public schools. The letter calls for increased funding per student and allocation of funds for school safety needs. Local school leaders have criticized lawmakers for passing under-funded mandates, leading to closures of schools and staff reductions. A survey from the Texas Association of School Business Officials reveals that more than half of the districts anticipate budget shortfalls and plan to implement cuts. Read more
May 13, 2024
Parents protest layoffs in Texas’ largest school district
Parents in Houston ISD are protesting against layoffs resulting from recent budget cuts. The district has not disclosed the number of job losses, but a 20-page list of positions potentially facing layoffs, including teachers, principals, and custodians, has been approved. Despite the district’s claim that the teacher cuts are performance-based and unrelated to the budget, the layoffs coincide with a $450m budget gap. Notably, recent principal of the year winners, such as Auden Sarabia at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, are among those being let go. The budget shortfall is attributed to decreased student enrollment, the depletion of COVID relief funds, and the state’s refusal to increase public school funding. Read more
May 12, 2024
Fort Worth ISD returns previously banned books to students
As officials with Fort Worth ISD return most of the books that were unavailable to students for the majority of the 2023-24 school year, the parameters surrounding student book access are still somewhat blurry. There were 118 titles pulled from school libraries in August after officials closed libraries to students during the first two weeks of school for inventory and book review purposes. Now, 90 of those titles are coming back, but district officials have declined to say whether this process will be finished by the last day of school, which is May 23. Additionally, questions asking for specifics of how each book was deemed appropriate or inappropriate for certain age groups have gone unanswered, and officials have backtracked on the reasons why the review happened in the first place. Texas school districts are also being required to update their book collection and review policies after new standards went into effect in January. This means regulations around student book access are still being decided, and it’s unclear when, or if, the debate will be put to rest. Read more
May 10, 2024
Deepfakes pose new threats in public schools
A “deepfake” audio recording of a principal making derogatory comments has sparked serious concerns in Baltimore County, showing the damaging potential of AI in schools. The incident involved Dazhon Darien, the athletic director at Pikesville High School, who created a fake audio of Principal Eric Eiswert uttering racist and antisemitic remarks. This deepfake not only divided the community but also led to Darien’s arrest for multiple charges, including theft and disruption of school operations. The case highlights a growing issue within educational settings, where the misuse of AI technology can lead to significant harm. Principals and school officials, often public figures due to their roles, are particularly vulnerable to such attacks, which can damage reputations and lead to serious professional consequences. The ease of creating deepfakes and the challenge of distinguishing them from real recordings complicate the response even further, raising fears among educators about their potential misuse. School districts are currently ill-equipped to handle the rise of deepfakes, lacking policies to govern the use of AI and protect against its abuse. This incident underscores the urgent need for educational institutions to develop strategies to mitigate these risks, including educating staff about AI, updating policies, and perhaps even incorporating AI detection tools. As AI technology evolves, so too must the safeguards against its misuse in schools to protect educators and uphold the integrity of educational environments. Read more
May 9, 2024
Police dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Houston, arrest two students
University of Houston students protest outside of the Harris County Joint Processing Center following the arrest of two students at a on campus protest to defend the UH encampment in Houston, Texas, US, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Protesters gather outside the Harris County Joint Processing Center in Houston following the arrest of two University of Houston students and the dismantling of an on-campus encampment in support of Palestinians on Wednesday. Credit: Callaghan O’Hare for The Texas Tribune
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Police were quick to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Houston on Wednesday, detaining at least two students in the process, according to university officials.
Protesters had set up a blue tarp to cover the fields of the university’s Butler Plaza and surrounded the area with wooden barricades. They joined students across Texas and the country who have been demanding that their schools divest from manufacturers supplying Israel weapons in its strikes on Gaza. Read more
May 8, 2024
Feds investigate another Texas school district for its gender identity mandate
The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation Monday into Katy Independent School District’s gender identity policy on the basis of gender harassment under Title IX. The investigation came nine months after the district adopted a policy that notifies parents if their child requests to use a different name or pronouns at school.
Katy ISD did not respond to a request of how many parents have been notified this year under the new policy, which requires staff to inform parents that students are transgender or ask to use different names or pronouns. Read more
May 7, 2024
Cardona defends education policies amid House criticism
During a heated U.S. House of Representatives hearing, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona faced sharp questioning over several pressing issues, including the botched rollout of a simplified FAFSA form, increasing reports of antisemitism in schools, execution of student-debt relief, and changes to Title IX regulations. Cardona advocated for the Biden administration’s 2025 budget proposal, emphasizing the need for increased funding for the Education Department’s civil rights office to handle a growing number of discrimination complaints more efficiently. Republicans criticized the recent Title IX updates, arguing they could harm girls’ sports and privacy, while also expressing frustration over persistent technical problems with the FAFSA application process, which has deterred students from seeking federal aid. Despite these controversies, there was bipartisan support for enhancing career and technical education, highlighting a rare agreement on the importance of expanding vocational training opportunities. Cardona’s testimony underscored ongoing debates about educational priorities and the federal role in ensuring fair treatment and access to education amidst policy challenges. Read more
May 5, 2024
Republican states challenge Biden’s Title IX protections for transgender students
More than a dozen Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration over new Title IX regulations that include protections for transgender students. The Education Department unveiled the final changes to Title IX, which also cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The lawsuits argue that the new regulations are “plainly illegal” and undermine protections for cisgender students. The regulations would also prevent states from enforcing laws that bar transgender student-athletes from competing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. The legal battle with the White House increases the likelihood that the measures will be blocked in court before taking effect. The administration’s Title IX revamp would also bolster nondiscrimination protections for pregnant students and change how schools handle claims of sexual harassment and assault. If the lawsuits are successful, it would deal a significant blow to LGBTQ students, especially in the South where most of the lawsuits were filed. Elections have consequences for the long-term trajectory of any litigation on this matter. Read more
May 3, 2024
Texas School Book Bans
Texas students deserve access to books that reflect their own lives, teach them about others’ lives, and inspire them to lead.
But some Texas politicians have promoted book ban efforts that target LGBTQ+, Black and other marginalized students — on books that save lives.
Book bans have deep roots in the United States, from bans on anti-slavery writings in the early 1800s to McCarthy-era bans on “subversive” materials, such as LGBTQ+ works. Today, Texas districts have banned hundreds of books in the past two years. The banned books range from children’s picture books to young adult fiction to nonfiction texts. Most discuss race and racism, feature LGBTQ+ characters or explore themes related to student health and well-being. In 2023, the Texas legislature fanned the flames of book bans by passing House Bill 900 (HB 900).
As of January 17, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has found that key parts of HB 900 are likely unconstitutional. This decision means that the HB 900 book ratings regime imposed on booksellers cannot be enforced at this time. Learn more about what this decision means for you and your school.
May 2, 2024
TSTA leaders lobby members of Congress to repeal Social Security provisions that are unfair to educators
TSTA President Ovidia Molina, Vice President Linda Estrada and NEA directors David Ring of Lubbock and Aaron Phillips of Amarillo are in Washington today urging congressional members to enact the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023. It would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which unfairly reduce or eliminate much-needed benefits for millions of retired educators, their spouses and survivors, including many in Texas.
The U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security held a public hearing on this issue last month, and TSTA submitted written comments, urging the panel to advance the Social Security Fairness Act.
May 1, 2024
Texas teachers face salary gap concerns
The salary disparity between Texas teachers and the national average has become a significant concern. During the 2023-24 school year, Texas teachers are expected to earn an average of $62,463, which is over $9,000 below the national average, according to the National Education Association’s analysis of Texas Education Agency data. This gap highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring competitive compensation for educators in the state. Additionally, Texas’ full-time school support staff, including bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and secretaries, earned an average of $30,382 during the 2022-23 school year. These figures underscore the economic pressures faced by essential school personnel, who often earn wages that are not livable. The funding for Texas schools also presents challenges. The state spent approximately $12,781 per student in the current school year, which is significantly less than the national average. This spending includes a $6,160 basic allotment per student, which has not seen an increase since 2019. The stagnant funding is causing school districts to struggle with budget constraints, leading to potential cuts in programs and staff, and making it difficult to attract and retain qualified teachers. Efforts to adjust teacher pay and enhance school funding did not advance in the 2023 Texas Legislature, largely due to debates over education savings accounts. This program, which was ultimately rejected by the Texas House, overshadowed other legislative efforts to improve public school funding. Read more
April 30, 2024
Greg Abbott and UT-Austin shift from championing free speech to policing protesters’ intentions
About six months ago the University of Texas at Austin administrators touted expansive protections for free speech — including speech that was antiwar or considered hate speech. The protections were touted as part of campus programming around “Free Speech Week.”
But now, as student protesters enter another week of on-campus demonstrations, campus administration has changed its tune.
“Imagine if the government at the whim of a political party could just decide at any time what constitutes hate speech, and then just start arresting people for engaging in it,” Amanda Cochran-McCall, the university’s director of legal affairs, said then at a school-affiliated Free Speech Week program.
In Texas, and at college campuses across the country, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have put university leaders’ commitment to free speech to the test. Some leaders’ stances have led to free speech advocates questioning who gets to enjoy free speech protections. Read more
April 29, 2024
Texas AG sues Biden administration over transgender protections
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over new federal nondiscrimination protections for transgender students. The Education Department recently finalized changes to Title IX, which cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Paxton argues that the new regulations are “vague” and “overbroad” and rely on a misunderstanding of a Supreme Court ruling. Republican-led states, including Louisiana, have also pledged to reject the new rules, claiming they harm women and girls. All federally funded schools must comply with the regulations. The Biden administration has yet to finalize a separate rule governing athletics eligibility for transgender student-athletes. Read more
April 28, 2024
Texas school districts fail to post campaign finance records
The Texas Tribune and ProPublica analyzed 35 Texas school districts that held trustee elections last fall and found none that posted all of the required campaign finance records. The investigation revealed that many agencies are violating the law that mandates the online posting of campaign finance reports. The lack of transparency in local elections prevents the public from making informed decisions about candidates’ financial support. The report highlights the growing push by hard-line conservatives to reshape school boards and advance vouchers as an alternative to public schools. The article emphasizes the need for effective enforcement of the law to ensure compliance and maintain transparency in local elections. Read more
April 27, 2024
Fort Worth ISD to stop giving free school supplies to elementary students
The Fort Worth ISD will no longer provide free school supplies to elementary students next year as federal relief funds expire. The district spent about $4.5m on classroom supplies for the 2021-2022 school year, but the last round of funding expires on September 30. Families will be responsible for purchasing their own supplies starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, executive director and founder of Parent Shield Fort Worth, expressed concern for economically disadvantaged families and hopes other resources will be available for them to obtain supplies. The change has sparked debate about equal access to school supplies and the burden placed on families who purchase their own supplies. Read more
April 26, 2024
HISD pulls retention incentives for teachers at non-NES schools
The Houston ISD has withdrawn retention incentives promised to teachers at non-NES schools due to budget constraints. The district had planned to provide extra funds of $1,000 to $2,000 to teachers who continued teaching the following school year. However, an email sent to teachers said the incentives would not be happening anymore. Andrew Dewey, with the Houston Federation of Teachers, expressed disappointment, stating that HISD has made unfulfilled promises in the past. The district cited financial challenges caused by the loss of federal Covid funding as the reason for rescinding the offers. The compensation plan, which included the incentives, was still in the draft stage and subject to change until the budget is passed in June. Read more
April 24, 2024
What you need to know about Texas’ school safety policies
In response to the deadliest school shooting in Texas, lawmakers have upped legislation concerning gun and school safety. House Bill 3 passed late last year, which created the requirement for an armed security guard to be present on all campuses and also ramped up mental health resources for students.
In Texas, the responsibility for establishing the guidelines for public school safety belongs to the Texas Education Agency and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office along with the TxSSC. These rules have been updated since the 2022 tragedy in Uvalde, but some experts worry that parents and guardians still don’t know the intricacies of school safety policy.
Brian Clason, program manager of training and education for the Texas State School Safety Center, says the best thing parents can do to protect their children is to develop relationships with teachers and school faculty to learn more about safety protocols before an emergency occurs. Read more
April 23, 2024
Biden administration extends overtime pay to 4m salaried workers
The Biden administration has unveiled a new labor rule that extends mandatory overtime pay to an estimated 4m salaried workers, going further than the previous Obama-era rule. From July 1, employers will be required to pay overtime premiums to workers who earn the equivalent of an annual salary of $43,888 when they work more than 40 hours in a week. The total will increased to $58,656 on January 1 2025. “The Department of Labor is ensuring that lower-paid salaried workers receive their hard-earned pay or get much-deserved time back with their families,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “This rule establishes clear, predictable guidance for employers on how to pay employees for overtime hours and provides more economic security to the millions of people working long hours without overtime pay.” The salary threshold will increase over time, reaching $58,656 by 2025. The new rule is expected to face legal challenges. Read more
April 22, 2024
Pflugerville ISD approves staff salary and minimum wage increases
Pflugerville ISD board has approved a 2% increase in salaries and wages for the 2024-25 school year. The increase will apply to teachers, nurses, and hourly bus drivers. This decision aims to improve the financial situation of staff members and ensure fair compensation for their work. Read more
April 19, 2024
Biden administration unveils Title IX protections for trans students
The Biden administration has unveiled a final set of sweeping changes to Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination at government-funded schools. The changes, which reinstitute protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment rolled back under former President Donald Trump, will take effect on August 1. The new regulations expand the definition of sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and aim to equip schools with clear-cut instructions to promptly and effectively respond to all forms of sex discrimination. The final update also establishes a lower burden of proof for survivors and students alleging sex discrimination. However, the administration has maintained several major provisions from the previous regulations to ensure consistency while schools update their procedures. The changes are expected to draw swift criticism from those who view the transgender student protections as an attack on protections for cisgender women and girls. The administration has yet to finalize a separate rule governing athletics eligibility.
April 18, 2024
TEA appoints conservators to help monitor Socorro ISD
The Texas Education Agency has appointed two conservators to oversee Socorro ISD, following a state investigation that exposed widespread failings for improperly graduating students, failing to disclose a trustee’s potential conflict of interest with a vendor, and paying $283,000 in unauthorized stipends. Former Dallas ISD Michael Hinojosa and Andrew Kim, the director of research programs and outreach at the University of Texas at Austin, “The Socorro ISD family is strong, but it needs some guidance. Andrew and I’s role will be to help get things right for SISD’s students, teachers, and staff so that the district can have the positive reputation that it deserves and that the community can believe in,” Hinojosa said in a statement. The conservators will work with the district of 47,000 students to ensure it complies with statutes and regulations under a settlement approved by the school board in early March. “The conservatorship does not replace the board. The conservatorship does not replace the superintendent. Of course, if we are doing things incorrectly, inappropriately, things that would hurt the district instead of help, yes, TEA can step in,” said Socorro ISD board President Michael Najera
April 16, 2024
Surge in book bans seen in schools
Book bans in public schools have surged in the first half of the school year, with over 4,300 books removed across 23 states, according to a report by PEN America. The rise in book bans has been driven by conservative groups and new laws that limit children’s access to certain books. Florida had the highest number of removals, with 3,135 books banned, many of which featured LGBTQ characters or dealt with race and racism. Legislation and policies aiming to prohibit books with sexual content have also led to an increase in book challenges, with nearly 20% of banned books addressing rape and sexual assault. However, opponents of book bans, including parents, students, and free speech organizations, are leading efforts to counter these bans.
April 15, 2024
TSTA and NEA endorse Colin Allred for Senate
The Texas State Teachers Association and its national affiliate, the National Education Association, have endorsed Democratic nominee Colin Allred over incumbent Ted Cruz in the U.S. Senate race in Texas, TSTA President Ovidia Molina and NEA President Becky Pringle announced today. Read full release
April 14, 2024
Fort Bend ISD trustee calls for abolishing book review committees
Fort Bend ISD trustee David Hamilton is proposing the abolition of formal book review committees in the district, giving Superintendent Dr Marc Smith sole authority over book decisions. However, the proposal failed to gain support from the majority of trustees. Most trustees prefer to maintain the current selection and review process, which involves librarians and administrators. Superintendent Smith said that he did not support the move toward one individual, himself, having sole authority to make decisions regarding texts in classrooms or library shelves. “The less collaborative we are, the greater the challenge becomes,” he said.
April 12, 2024
Majority of teachers concerned about school shootings
After years of efforts to improve school safety, a majority of teachers are concerned about the possibility of a shooting occurring at their school, with 7% saying they are “extremely” worried according to a Pew Research Center survey. The survey also found that improved mental health screening for children and adults was identified as the top strategy to prevent shootings. While mass school shootings are statistically rare, their pace and scale have increased over the years, shaping teachers’ experiences at work. Many teachers believe their schools could do more to prepare them for an active shooter, and lockdowns disrupt students and teachers. Teachers favor mental health support as a prevention strategy, while allowing teachers and administrators to carry guns is the least supported strategy. Support for prevention strategies varies based on political affiliation. The presence of school police correlates with increased student suspensions, expulsions, and arrests, but may serve as a deterrent for attackers. Read more
April 11, 2024
Most 18-year-old Texans not signed up to vote
Texas high schools are failing to distribute voter registration forms to eligible students, leading to low voter registration rates among young Texans. The state law requiring schools to distribute the forms is not being enforced, and noncompliant schools face no penalties. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 39.6% of Texans ages 18 to 24 were registered to vote in November 2022. The lack of civic education and voter registration in schools is a major barrier to young people’s engagement in the democratic process. Students themselves have taken initiative, organizing voter registration drives and internships to promote civic engagement among their peers. The goal is to empower marginalized communities and increase voter participation among young Texans. Read more
April 10, 2024
Texas lawmakers allege ‘violations of state law’ in Houston ISD
Nine Houston-area state representatives have contacted Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) Speaker of the Texas House, asking for a public hearing by the House Committee on Public Education on allegations that Houston ISD violated state law by having unaccredited teachers in the classroom. “We have also been informed that plans have been shared with teachers and administration to address the continuing exit of teachers by hiring current community college students as apprentices and additional learning coaches,” the representatives allege in the letter. Other concerns addressed in the letter include at-risk students not receiving the services and support they have a legal right to receive. Read more
April 9, 2024
President Biden announces student debt relief for millions
President Joe Biden has announced plans to ease student debt, benefitting at least 23m Americans. Speaking in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, Mr. Biden outlined proposals to cancel up to $20,000 of accrued and capitalized interest for borrowers, regardless of income. The rules would also automatically provide eligible borrowers with loan relief, even if they haven’t applied for the administration’s other student borrowing programs, such as a loan-forgiveness program for public-service workers. “While a college degree still is a ticket to the middle class, that ticket is becoming much too expensive,” Mr. Biden said. “Today, too many Americans, especially young people, are saddled with unsustainable debts in exchange for a college degree.” Read more
April 8, 2024
Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR tests
The Texas Education Agency is rolling out an “automated scoring engine” for open-ended questions on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness for reading, writing, science and social studies. The technology, which uses natural language processing technology like artificial intelligence chatbots such as GPT-4, will save the state agency between $15-20 million per year that it would otherwise have spent on hiring human scorers through a third-party contractor.
The change comes after the STAAR test, which measures students’ understanding of state-mandated core curriculum, was redesigned in 2023. The test now includes fewer multiple choice questions and more open-ended questions — known as constructed response items.
TEA officials have been resistant to the suggestion that the scoring engine is artificial intelligence. However, the plan has still generated worry among educators and parents in a world still weary of the influence of machine learning, automation and AI.
The STAAR test results are a key part of the accountability system TEA uses to grade school districts and individual campuses on an A-F scale. When campuses within a district are underperforming on the test, state law allows the Texas education commissioner to intervene. With the stakes so high for campuses and districts, there is a sense of uneasiness about a computer’s ability to score responses as well as a human can.
April 5, 2024
Updated EPA emissions standards include school buses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new emissions rules that will apply to school buses. The standards will mean cleaner air and healthier communities, especially in corridors where there’s denser truck traffic, proponents said. EPA Administrator Michael Regan also said that fleets will save “money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs.” Researchers explained that exposure to school bus diesel exhaust can subject students to pollutants, which can consequently increase the likelihood of asthma attacks and school absences. The final rule slows down the timing of the regulatory rollout compared to an initial unveiling. While the agency will track progress of original equipment manufacturers and developing infrastructure needed to support the program, regulations could undergo further changes based on feedback from the public. “EPA will consult with a wide range of stakeholders on an ongoing basis to learn from their experiences and gather relevant information and data,” the agency said, adding that stakeholders will include state and local governments, heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, environmental and public health groups, and more. Read more
April 4, 2024
Texas counties, cities embrace new child care center tax credit even though few providers qualify
A new child care center tax credit is offering some providers much-needed relief after the COVID-19 pandemic forced some to shutter altogether in 2020.
Some are hoping the exemption will attest to how imperative it is for state and local governments to invest in child care.
So what does the tax credit do? Counties and cities in San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Houston areas have adopted a new property tax exemption for land used by child care centers. The exemption was approved by voters in November and requires local approval to go into effect. Some are pushing for the exemptions to be enacted in more rural areas.
The exemption has also passed in Denton and El Paso, as well as Hays and Aransas Counties. Read more
April 3, 2024
Austin ISD struggles to improve college readiness
Austin ISD is facing a decline in college readiness among its high school students, prompting the district to take action. The percentage of students on track to earn at least 12 college credit hours has decreased, with only 8.4% of students currently meeting this metric. Economically disadvantaged students are also struggling to meet certification goals. Administrators attribute these low numbers to a lack of alignment between instruction and testing and the absence of a comprehensive case management system. Trustee Kevin Foster suggests learning from successful schools, such as Navarro Early College High, which offers a dual-credit “college transitions” course. However, replicating these programs requires funding. Teacher retention is also identified as a crucial factor in improving college readiness. Read more
April 2, 2024
Transformation Waco to provide wraparound services at four schools
Transformation Waco has been approved for a $650,000 contract to provide wraparound services at four Waco ISD schools. The nonprofit organization will transition to coordinating non-instructional services such as social workers, health care, mental health, and after-school programs. The contract will fund nine professionals and two paraprofessionals, including community school specialists, after-school specialists, and clinical social workers. The staffing will allow for the continuation of after-school programming, free eye exams and glasses for students, telehealth services, and legal services. The future expansion of wrap-around services will depend on funding. In addition, the article mentions the closure of Brazos High School and the transition of its students and programs to Waco and University high schools. The closure is expected to save the district $325,000.
April 1, 2024
It’s no joke! April 5 is the last day to register to vote in the May 4 election
May is the month of elections this year, with school board trustees in many districts on the ballot on May 4, and legislative runoff elections on May 28. Register to vote by this Thursday, April 5 to participate in the May 4 election.
March 29, 2024
Nearly two years after the Uvalde massacre, here’s who has been reprimanded and where investigations stand
Nearly two years after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at a Uvalde elementary school, investigations have offered strikingly different assessments of the botched law enforcement response, fueling frustrations and additional calls for transparency from victims’ families.
Many families had expressed hope that law enforcement officers would be held accountable after a scathing Justice Department report in January detailed “cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy and training.” At an associated news conference, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said lives could have been saved had law enforcement acted sooner. But just two months later, Uvalde residents said they felt whipsawed when a private investigator hired by the city cleared all local police officers of wrongdoing, even praising some of their actions.
Now, families anxiously await the results of the only remaining investigation: a criminal case brought by Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell, for which a grand jury began reviewing evidence in January. It will determine whether any of the nearly 400 federal, state and local officers are criminally charged. Read more
March 27, 2024
SBOE threatens delay on American Indian Native Studies course
After more than three and a half years in the making, the Texas SBOE has the opportunity to consider a high school level American Indian/Native Studies elective course for full adoption. If adopted, the course would become an official part of the Social Studies course catalog. This will make it much more likely that Texas school districts will offer it. Native communities throughout Texas and beyond support the course. However, if the Texas SBOE continues to delay bringing the course to First Reading, it could be delayed indefinitely. We need to show that Texas wants American Indian/Native Studies — contact your SBOE member today and register your support!
March 26, 2024
Biden signs FY 2024 education budget
President Joe Biden has now signed the FY 2024 budget for the U.S. Department of Education and other agencies, following its approval by the House and Senate on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The U.S. Department of Education will get $500m less for fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year, the agency’s first cut since FY 2015. In a statement, Sen. Patty Murray highlighted the budget plan’s inclusion of $8.75bn, or 9% more over FY 2023, for the Child Care and Development Block Grant to help families afford child care. Also included in the spending plan is $12.3bn, up $275m from FY 2023, for Head Start early education services, including money to support and retain staff. Under the proposal, Title I and state grants for special education services, which are two of the largest K-12 federal funding programs, would also each get a $20m increase over FY 2023 allocations. Read more
March 25, 2024
Two killed in Texas school bus accident
A cement truck has crashed into a school bus carrying more than 40 pre-K students returning from a field trip to a Texas zoo, resulting in the death of a boy on the bus and a man in another vehicle. The bus rolled over on the highway, causing critical injuries to four people who were airlifted from the crash site. Six others with potentially serious injuries were transported by ambulance. The child who died was a pre-K student at Tom Green Elementary School in Buda. In addition to the two fatalities, 51 others were injured, including the bus driver. Read more
March 23, 2024
Texas libraries work to bridge state’s mental health services gap
From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin offering a mental health resources page to the San Antonio Public Library’s mental health awareness presentation on the signs of anxiety to a private telehealth room where patrons can meet with a counselor via Zoom in North Texas town of Pottsboro, librarians do their best to help their communities with mental health resources. Read more
March 22, 2024
Protestors interrupt Houston ISD’s ‘state of the district’ event
Protestors were fired up outside Houston ISD’s “State of the District” luncheon, with some even interrupting. Superintendent Mike Miles is seeking support for his new budget proposal, which includes not closing schools and adding 45 more campuses to his specialized New Education System program. However, schools with falling enrollment could lose up to 12% of funding. Miles acknowledged the need for future bonds and expressed dissatisfaction with the systems in place to serve schools and students. Despite the protests, Miles and his board, appointed by the state, do not require public support to move forward with the budget. Read more
March 21, 2024
Emerging themes from states’ artificial intelligence guidance
An analysis by the Digital Promise nonprofit indicates that several themes are emerging across the states that have released guidance on using artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 settings. As of late February, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia, have all released guidance to help school district leaders navigate AI in K-12. Common themes include AI literacy instruction, equity and inclusion concerns, protecting student data privacy, and securing personal information. Read more
March 20, 2024
Abbott says Texas is two House votes away from passing school vouchers
Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday urged school voucher supporters to make the final push in the May primary runoff elections to bring a pro-school voucher majority to the Texas House.
Delivering the opening speech at an annual conservative policy conference in Austin, Abbott declared that the school voucher movement was “on the threshold of success” after the March 5 primary. The election saw several anti-voucher Republican incumbents lose to pro-voucher challengers, putting pro-voucher members on the verge of a majority in the Texas House, the last legislative roadblock to the policy. Read more
March 18, 2024
Federal officials champion summer learning programs
White House and US Department of Education officials have urged school district leaders to ramp up high quality summer learning programs by offering rigorous and engaging courses, and by tapping into remaining COVID-19 emergency funds and other federal monies. Speaking at a summer learning convention at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., Cindy Marten, deputy secretary at the Education Department, told attendees that districts should “redouble” efforts to ensure that all students have access to summer learning. The gathering last week came two days after President Joe Biden presented a fiscal year 2025 spending plan seeking $8bn for a new Academic Acceleration and Achievement grant program. Specifics of that program are still being crafted, but it’s expected to target state and district initiatives to boost attendance, tutoring, summer, and extended learning. Mr. Biden also touted tutoring as a best practice for raising achievement levels during his State of the Union address earlier this month. Read more
March 17, 2024
Frisco ISD approved for teacher incentive allotment
The Texas Education Agency has approved Frisco ISD’s application for the initial phase of the Teacher Incentive Allotment. Qualified educators in Frisco ISD can now receive a state-funded stipend ranging from $2,700 to $14,000 based on their performance level. The stipend is aimed at attracting and retaining effective teachers and encouraging teaching in challenging environments. Frisco ISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip expressed pride in the designated teachers and the district’s commitment to supporting educators. The first phase of implementation focuses on specific subjects like Math, Reading, Algebra, and English, with more subjects to be included in future phases. Frisco ISD will provide data for review at each stage.
March 15, 2024
Advocates working hard during National Reading Month
With National Reading Month nearly halfway over, advocates are concerned about the decline in students’ reading habits. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 14% of students read for fun every day. This is down from previous years, with 31% of students never or hardly reading for fun. The decline in reading is often attributed to the increased use of phones and tablets among children. However, experts argue that reading for fun can include various digital spaces, such as social media. While there has been a shift towards teaching the science of reading, there is a need for more emphasis on knowledge and vocabulary. Additionally, the political fight over book bans in schools and libraries raises concerns about access to diverse and inclusive books. National Reading Month serves as a reminder of the importance of reading and the role of educators and libraries in promoting literacy.
March 13, 2024
With new state funds in hand, community colleges waive tuition for some high school students
Austin Community College, one of the most populous junior colleges in Texas, is set to waive tuition for this year’s graduating high school seniors through 2027. The community college’s Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the proposal next month. If it gets approval, the college will use the $6.8 million it received through House Bill 8, which expands the pot of money junior colleges get funding from and ties future funds to student outcomes.
ACC plans to pay eligible students before federal and state aid kicks in, allowing them to have their tuition covered first and use the remaining aid on things like housing and books.
Community college advocates are working to dispel the myth that it’s necessary for students to immediately go to a four-year institution after high school. Read more
March 12, 2024
Texas is preparing higher education for AI
With the popularity of artificial intelligence on the rise, Texas universities are creating programs in hopes of helping students better understand new technology and how to use it when they enter the workforce.
One of the most recent examples of this includes the University of Texas at San Antonio’s decision to launch a new college dedicated to AI, cyber security, computing and data science. The university’s new college is still in its planning phase and expected to launch by fall 2025. It’s not the only university looking to boost its AI offerings: the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Austin have launched graduate and short-term certificate programs.
Next month, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the state agency that oversees Texas’ colleges and universities, plans to start an assessment of AI activity at higher-education institutions across the state in the hopes of building a collaborative system accessible to all schools so they can get up to speed with AI. Read more
March 11, 2024
House lawmakers remain divided over charter schools
A hearing of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education last week revealed that congressional leaders remain divided over the effectiveness and direction of the charter school movement, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Lawmakers and witnesses were torn between bolstering charter school supports with one hand, and increasing oversight of existing charters while fortifying support for traditional public schools with the other. Points of contention included whether charter schools have enough oversight due to substantial closure rates. Lawmakers also debated whether charters are effective and equitable alternatives to traditional public schools, considering that their admissions and discipline practices could disproportionately impact underserved students. Between 1999 and 2017, according to a study by the Network for Public Education, over a quarter of charter schools closed during their first five years of operation, and 40% had closed by the 10 year mark. Read more
March 10, 2024
Despite white supremacist scandal, far-right billionaire powerbrokers see historic election gains in Texas
West Texas oil billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, major million-dollar donors to far-right conservative political campaigns, emerged from the 2024 primaries seemingly stronger than ever.
Eleven of the 28 House candidates supported by Dunn and Wilks won their primaries outright, with another eight headed to runoffs in May. Five candidates beat incumbents in rematches from 2022 or 2020. One of the candidates they backed is David Covey, who challenged House Speaker Dade Phelan for his seat and earned more votes than him, forcing the Beaumont Republican into a runoff.
Since January, Dunn and Wilks have spent more than $3 million to support candidates through the new political action committee Texans United for a Conservative Majority. The group is a spinoff of Defend Texas Liberty, which came under fire last year after its then-president hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes at his office in Fort Worth. Read more
March 8, 2024
Biden outlines K12 education priorities in State of the Union address
President Joe Biden outlined his administration’s K-12 education priorities in a State of the Union address on Thursday. He emphasized the need for a strong education system and called for high-quality tutoring, summer learning, and career and technical education. Biden’s agenda includes plans to promote high-dosage tutoring programs, address chronic absenteeism, and monitor states’ federal accountability plans. He also highlighted the importance of career readiness and early education, connecting businesses and schools to provide hands-on experience, and pathways to good-paying jobs. While Biden called for universal pre-school access, he did not provide specific details on funding. Biden’s speech also addressed school violence and gun safety, with a push for new gun laws and the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
March 6, 2024
Texas primaries bring school vouchers closer to reality
After the Texas primaries, school voucher supporters in Texas believe that their long-held goal of implementing a voucher program is closer than ever. Gov. Greg Abbott succeeded in defeating nine fellow Republicans who opposed vouchers, and more victories in the May runoffs could push vouchers across the finish line. Public school advocates, however, are concerned about the potential cost to the school system if vouchers become a reality. The battle for House approval of the program is expected to intensify in the coming months. Both sides are gearing up for a fervent fight. The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, plans to launch an “emboldened and invigorated” push for vouchers in the next legislative session. On the other hand, opponents of vouchers criticize the influx of out-of-state money and attack ads that were unrelated to education. Read more
March 5, 2024
Texas educators urged to stand strong against lawsuits
Texas educators are being encouraged to not be intimidated by recent lawsuits filed by the attorney general against school districts. HD Chambers, the director of the Texas School Alliance, stated that educators have an obligation to promote active citizenship and should not allow the lawsuits to have a “chilling effect.” Chambers also emphasized that school districts have the right to highlight the impact of legislative decisions on education. The attorney general’s office has filed lawsuits against several districts, alleging violations of election law. The lawsuits come ahead of the primary elections, where Republican leaders are hoping to remove House members who voted against voucherlike proposals. Public education advocates oppose such initiatives, stating that they would drain money from public schools. Chambers believes that educators should not be silenced and that encouraging others to vote is an act of patriotism. Read more
March 4, 2024
Texas lawmaker calls for dismantling education agency
A Texas lawmaker’s call to dismantle the Texas Education Agency reflects a growing discontent with the state office in charge of overseeing primary and secondary schooling, the Austin American-Statesman reports. While education policy experts agree that disbanding the agency is unrealistic, the call speaks more about bipartisan conversations at the state level about reforming education policy. In a letter, Rep. Glenn Rogers plans to file legislation to eliminate the TEA, criticizing the standardized test and the agency’s budget. Eliminating the TEA is farfetched, as it conducts federally required duties and tracks data on student outcomes. However, Rogers’ complaints reflect a growing discussion about reforming the agency. Many Texans have a distrust of large administrations and believe local communities and schools best know their students’ needs. Lawmakers from both parties have argued for overhauling the state’s system for testing students and holding schools accountable. There is bipartisan recognition that there is an issue with the current education system in Texas. Read more
March 3, 2024
School districts face budget cuts as federal relief money expires
As the federal COVID relief program comes to an end, districts are facing tough decisions on which programs to keep and which staff to cut. Low-income districts will be hit hardest, as they received larger allotments and have less ability to absorb the losses. Some districts, like Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and Northwest ISD, have planned for the end of federal money and do not anticipate making program changes. However, many districts will have to make difficult decisions, potentially cutting popular programs and even closing campuses. Fort Worth ISD used much of its allotment (roughly $261.64m) on a number of programs intended to give students extra learning time, including expanded summer learning and Saturday Learning Quest, an enrichment program that brings kids to school on certain weekends for fun activities like art, music and STEM, as well as extra instructional time in reading and math. Education experts urge districts to prioritize effective programs and avoid unnecessary cuts that could hinder academic recovery. Read more
March 1, 2024
Schools embracing mindfulness
Educators are spending more and more time outdoors, helping students embrace mindfulness to boost health and wellbeing. How students learn these skills can differ greatly but the goals are similar, helping classes learn how to slow down, get outside of their daily experiences, and bring some of those practices back into their daily lives. Ayesha Ercelawn, an education specialist for Green Schoolyards America, a nonprofit that supports transforming school grounds into green spaces that benefit children, the environment, and communities, stresses that students don’t have to travel far to experience the effects of mindfulness from the outdoors. “The natural world can be in small spaces,” she says. “They just need access to run around on their own every day without being teacher-directed.” Read more
February 29, 2024
Abbott invests millions in pro-school choice candidates
Governor Greg Abbott has contributed $5.8m to pro-school choice candidates and incumbents in Texas House races. The outcomes of these races could impact the use of public money for private schooling in Texas. Abbott is financially backing 10 challengers to Republican House incumbents, with the majority of his spending focused on new candidates or primary challengers who voted against school choice issues. He has also invested in supporting incumbents who voted for school choice proposals. Abbott’s spending is seen as a test of his influence and the power of money in Texas primary races. If successful, Abbott could become one of the most powerful governors in Texas political history. However, an unsuccessful outcome could weaken his legislative power. Regardless of the primary outcomes, the probability of the Texas House passing school choice legislation in the 2025 legislative session has increased.
February 28, 2024
Resources to support early education published
The US Department of Education has released guidance for how states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools can use Title I funds to expand access to high-quality preschool in a range of settings, including schools, Head Start, and community-based organizations. The guidance encourages schools across the nation to better set up kindergarten to be a bridge between the early years and the early grades. The Biden-Harris administration has secured historic educational investments, including an additional $1.9bn in annual funding for the Title I program since 2021. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona championed the announcement on Monday during a visit to an early childhood center in New Jersey. “High-quality, early learning opportunities are proven bridges to later academic success and every child deserves access,” Cardona said. Read more
February 26, 2024
Worry over UT-Austin taking Texas’ new DEI ban too far
Ever since Senate Bill 17 — the new state law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Texas public universities — went into effect at the beginning of this year, students and advocates say that the University of Texas at Austin is going above and beyond what’s required by state law.
So far, UT-Austin has closed a beloved multicultural center that housed several student organizations sponsored by the school and ended a scholarship program for undocumented students. This month, the department of undergraduate studies canceled a lecture on how to find an LGBTQ mentor after university lawyers argued it could be construed as diversity training. Students say university officials have gone back on their word, often with little explanation, after promising that certain programs would not be impacted by the ban.
Amid the lack of response from the university, students are scrambling to fill the financial gaps and continue traditions the university used to support.
As the head of UT-Austin’s Black Student Alliance, Aaliyah Barlow said she used to count on President Jay Hartzell’s office when seeking funding to attend the annual Big 12 Athletic Conference gathering for Black student leaders.
Barlow and her peers were surprised the ban ruined what had been a friendly relationship with leaders across the university. They have spent the last few weeks trying to find a new way to raise $20,000, or they won’t make the trip at all.
Victoria Uriostegui, a UT-Austin junior and a member of Rooted, an organization that has taken over some of the services that the former Monarch program used to provide, said watching the university eliminate resources for undocumented students without warning or explanation was exactly the kind of repercussions she warned lawmakers about when she testified against SB 17 at the Texas Capitol last year. Read more
February 25, 2024
Celebrate Public Schools Week with a pledge to advocate for great public schools
More than 49 million students are enrolled in public schools across America, including more than 5 million in Texas, and we celebrate those schools and students this week (Feb. 26-March 1). TSTA/NEA are determined to create schools where every student can succeed, regardless of their skin color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or ability.
Take this pledge to advocate for great public schools for all students. All signers will receive a free sticker, while supplies last.
February 23, 2024
New dental and vision coverage for TRS retirees will begin in January 2025
Under the new coverage, which was ordered by the Legislature, TRS-Care eligible retirees, their surviving spouses and surviving dependent children will be able to enroll for optional dental and vision benefit plans beginning next Jan. 1. The Teacher Retirement System board approved the posting of rules for the coverage at its meeting last week.
Eligible retirees can enroll in the new plans even if they are not enrolled or applying for enrollment in any other TRS-Care plan. Plan years will run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.
TRS is now procuring competitive bids from insurance vendors and will present recommended options to the TRS trustees during the May board meeting.
At its meeting last week, the board received updates from TRS Executive Director Brian Guthrie, who reported the TRS Trust Fund balance stands at $195.3 billion (as of Jan. 31), up from $187.2 billion, the last report in 2023. The pension membership has grown to 2 million, including retired, active and inactive school employees.
Guthrie also updated the board on the construction of the second of two office buildings for the new TRS headquarters in Austin’s Mueller development. The outer shell construction of the new TRS “Bravo” building is expected to be completed by the end of February. Inside tenant construction has already begun. The new “Alpha” building was completed late last year, and TRS divisions have already relocated there. TRS is expected to be fully relocated into both new locations by spring of 2025.
TRS trustees also participated in several annual educational sessions relating to ethics, membership experience and strategic asset and investment management.
February 22, 2024
Office for Civil Rights releases new resources on students with disabilities
The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has released four new resources to help students with disabilities, their families, and schools understand the civil rights protections guaranteed to students with asthma, diabetes, food allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux. The resources explain how these medical conditions can impact a student’s school experience, how the conditions could require protections for students under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the options for parents and students if they believe schools aren’t meeting their federal legal obligations. Additionally, OCR shared updated statistics showing there were 8.4m students with disabilities who comprised 17% of the nation’s pre-K-12 student population in 2020-21. About 3%, or 1.6m, of the total student population were students with disabilities who received supports and services under only Section 504 that school year. Read more
February 21, 2024
Black student’s hairstyle at center of trial
A trial is set to be held in Texas to determine if a Black high school student can continue being punished by his district for refusing to change his hairstyle, which he and his family say is protected by a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination. The trial is being held before state District Judge Chap Cain III in Anahuac after Barbers Hill ISD filed a lawsuit seeking clarification of the new law. The CROWN Act, which took effect in September, prohibits race-based hair discrimination and bars employers and schools from penalizing people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles. The school district argues that George’s long hair violates its dress code policy, while George’s attorney argues that the CROWN Act protects hair length. The trial will determine the outcome of George’s punishment and the interpretation of the law. George’s family has also filed a formal complaint and a federal civil rights lawsuit. Read more
February 20, 2024
Most students struggling in math
Most American students are struggling in math, with 65% of fourth graders and nearly three-quarters of eighth graders scoring “below basic” or “basic” in math on the most recent NAEP test. Math disabilities, present in about 7% of students, often go undiagnosed. Additionally, many students without disabilities are still working below grade level. While schools have strategies to help students learn to read, fewer offer the same help for math. Only 23% of schools have numeracy specialists compared to 50% with trained literacy specialists. This lack of support in math education is hindering students’ understanding and proficiency in the subject, impacting their college readiness. Read more
February 19, 2024
Early voting starts tomorrow
Make a plan today to get to the polls for the party primary election. The future of public education in Texas is on the ballot this election, as it is every election. Team TSTA, be voting advocates by encouraging your colleagues, friends and family to get to the polls and Vote Education First!
February 18, 2024
Texas school districts qualify for state funding for clean transportation
Hundreds of Texas public school districts will likely qualify for state funding as they switch to electric buses and other clean forms of transportation. Districts can request reimbursement as they upgrade or replace diesel-powered buses. Roughly $13.5m is available through the grant program, which is administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “The new school buses certainly have little to zero exhaust . . . so the air in and around the school buses are cleaner,” said TCEQ Program Specialist Nate Hickman. Districts can choose to upgrade existing diesel buses to limit emissions or purchase new diesel, propane, and electric-powered vehicles. Applications for the 19th year of the Texas Clean School Bus program opened on February 14. Districts have until October 14 to apply, but funding is typically exhausted within the first few months. The state covers up to five projects for each district, including full reimbursement for retrofitting projects and up to 80% reimbursement for new school buses. Read more
February 16, 2024
Ed. Dept. updates equity action plan
The U.S. Department of Education has updated its Equity Action Plan initiative, part of efforts to implement the President’s Executive Order on “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government.” The department has identified five areas of focus through visits to communities, listening sessions, and roundtables. The department wants to improve college access, affordability, and degree completion for underserved students to increase economic mobility, implement maintenance of equity requirements to ensure historically underserved students have equitable resources for learning recovery, advance equity in and through career and technical education, and increase mental health resources, with an emphasis on underserved communities. Read more
February 15, 2024
STAAR essay answers now being graded by computer
The STAAR exams have probably become even more controversial with news that most students’ answers on essay questions will now be most likely graded by a computer, not a human.
According to The Dallas Morning News story linked below, TEA quietly rolled out this new model for evaluating STAAR essay answers in December, with about three-fourths of written responses scored by an “automated scoring machine.”
Officials said the computers are programmed to emulate how humans would score an essay, after analyzing thousands of students’ responses that were previously scored by people.
The automated scoring engine is “programmed by humans, overseen by humans and is analyzed at the end by humans,” Jose Rios, director of the student assessment division, told the newspaper.
This new scoring method is part of a broader STAAR redesign, which now includes essays at every grade level.
February 14, 2024
This Sunday, Feb. 18, is last day to register for the NEA ESP National Conference
Scheduled for March 22-24 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, this annual conference brings together education support professionals from across the country for a weekend of professional learning and networking opportunities. Register here
February 13, 2024
Advocate for fair pay and benefits for ESPs
We all know that schools could not operate without the work of bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, school secretaries and other education support professionals. Yet, more than one-third of ESPs are paid less than $25,000 a year, and more than one-fourth must rely on federal assistance programs to take care of their families.
The Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights (S.Res.450) seeks to change that. This legislation calls for living wages, good benefits and fair working conditions for the 2.2 million ESPs in schools and the 750,000 on college and university campuses.
Urge your U.S. senators to co-sponsor this bill.
February 12, 2024
Texas children are still struggling with math after the pandemic. Some schools are trying a new approach.
At Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy in the Dallas Independent School District, students teach each other math.
Students brave enough to share how they solved a problem stand up in front of the other third graders and say, “All eyes on me,” and the classroom responds, “All eyes on you,” ready to learn from their peer’s explanations. If a student disagrees with an explanation, they might debate the concepts to figure out how they got to certain conclusions.
Moving away from tests to measure success, a new curriculum called Eureka Math is “more focused on the kids understanding the concept, and in turn, that will help a child pass assessments,” math teacher Eran McGowan said. While previous curriculums emphasized knowing the answer for standardized tests, this new method focuses on learning the process behind each answer.
Last summer’s state standardized testing scores showed that Texas students have yet to catch up to the pre-pandemic math scores from 2019. Forty-five percent of students who took math in third through eighth grade or Algebra I last year passed the STAAR test. While these scores represent a slight increase from last year, they are still 7 percentage points behind the 2019 state average.
Even more concerning, the number of students who went above and beyond and “mastered” the subject has not recovered since the pandemic.
The low number of students mastering math worries some policymakers and educators as it means not enough Texans will have the skills to meet the demands of the most lucrative jobs in the next few decades. A Stanford University study found students who do not bring their math scores back up to pre-pandemic levels will earn 5.6% less over the course of their lives than students with better grades just before the pandemic. Read more
February 8, 2024
Active shooter training: State-specific requirements for schools and law enforcement
Despite annual active shooter drills occurring at schools across the U.S., required, yearly training doesn’t apply to the thousands of state and local law enforcement officers who do not work in schools.
An investigation by The Texas Tribune, ProPublica and FRONTLINE revealed about 30% of the 116 state and local officers who responded to the Uvalde school shooting in May 2022 did not get active shooter training after graduating from police academies.
At least 37 states, including Texas, require active shooter-related drills in schools, usually on a yearly basis. But decisions about such training within law enforcement departments are not always a given. Compared to other states, Texas does have laws that require active shooter training for officers once on the job. The frequency isn’t necessarily on a yearly basis though.
After a gunman killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School in 2018, state lawmakers passed a law that all school police officers receive training to confront a mass shooter. But the training only has to occur once. Last year, the state mandated that all law enforcement officers, including those who are not school police, take 16 hours of active shooter training every two years. Read more
February 7, 2024
More schools urge mildly sick kids to attend
Some advocates and school systems are now encouraging kids to come to class even when they have the sniffles or other “nuisance illnesses” like lice or pinkeye. The state of California for example, where 25% of students last year missed 10% of the school year, took a new approach to sick-day guidance last fall. Instead of only saying when a child should stay home, the guidance describes circumstances when a child might be slightly unwell but can come to school. California also doesn’t insist on waiting 24 hours after a fever or vomiting before returning to school. Going fever-free or without vomiting overnight is enough. Boston Public Schools took a similar stance in its online recommendations for parents. “Respiratory infections are common. If the child does not have fever, does not appear to have decreased activity or other symptoms, it is not necessary for the child to stay home,” the district guidance reads. “Families need to hear they no longer must keep kids home at any sign of illness,” agrees Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works. The national nonprofit has even issued its own guidance, urging parents to send kids to school if they can participate in daily activities. “We have to now re-engage kids and families, and change their thinking about that,” Chang adds. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends staying home when there’s fever, vomiting or diarrhea, or when students “are not well enough to participate in class.” Read more
February 6, 2024
FAFSA submissions have declined significantly
Around 676,000 high school seniors submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through late January, fewer than half the number who had sent in the form by the same time last year, according to an analysis by the National College Attainment Network. As of January 26, high school seniors had submitted 56.6% fewer FAFSA forms compared to the year before. That drop is even more severe for students from high schools with predominantly low-income populations, who’ve seen a 65.2% year-over-year decline in FAFSA submissions. Notably, the U.S. Department of Education released the revamped form nearly three months later than normal, while glitches and technical errors have plagued its rollout so far. Read more
February 5, 2024
Beware of scammers posing as Austin school police
Austin ISD is cautioning residents about scammers posing as school police employees. These callers claim that the person receiving the call has an arrest warrant and ask for sensitive personal information, such as a Social Security number. The district has warned that these calls are fraudulent and that they would never ask for personal information over the phone. Victims of the scam are advised to make a non-emergency report by calling 311. Read more
February 2, 2024
TEA takes over La Joya ISD
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has replaced the La Joya ISD school board and superintendent after an investigation into allegations of fraud and conflicts of interest. The TEA appointed a “board of managers” consisting of seven Hidalgo County residents to temporarily oversee the district. Marcey Sorensen has been named as the new superintendent. Read more
February 1, 2024
Hundreds of school districts sue over youth mental health crisis
More than 200 school districts have now filed lawsuits against the big social media companies, alleging that their addictive products are harmful to students’ mental health. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary compensation and changes to social media companies’ practices. School districts have reported increased anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems among students due to social media use. The lawsuits aim to hold social media companies accountable and raise public awareness about the issue. Read more
January 29, 2024
School officials concerned about lack of state money for safety measures
House Bill 3, which was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott last June, requires an armed security officer at every campus in the state. The bill came in direct response to the May 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, which left 19 children and two adult teachers dead. The bill gave school districts $15,000 per campus and $10 per student to help fund these new mandates, and also allotted $1.1 billion to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to award grants to schools and districts. Read more
January 28, 2024
Young students lag on school
Early elementary schoolchildren who were aged between one and four in Spring 2020, when the pandemic disrupted education, continue to show a lack of school readiness in math and reading skills. According to fall 2023 results from assessment company Curriculum Associates, more kindergartners in fall 2023, those who were one to two years old in March 2020, began the school year below grade level in reading, compared to kindergartners from fall 2019. Read more
January 24, 2024
Mental Health
The Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine virtual program run by JPS Health Network and the University of North Texas Health Science Center is providing limited and free therapy to students who need mental health care.
Here’s how Tarrant County students can apply
January 23, 2024
Round Rock ISD partners with Texas State Technical College
Round Rock ISD has announced a partnership with Texas State Technical College for the 2024-25 school year. The collaboration aims to enhance educational opportunities for students in the district. According to RRISD Superintendent Dr. Hafedh Azaiez, “This partnership will provide our students with access to high-quality technical education and training, preparing them for successful careers in various industries.” The partnership will allow students to earn college credits and industry certifications while still in high school. It will also provide opportunities for internships and work-based learning experiences. Read more
January 22, 2024
Biden announces more student loan relief
President Joe Biden approved more student loan relief for another 74,000 borrowers on Friday, waiving $4.9bn in debt. The relief targets longtime borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment plans and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. It comes largely as a result of changes the Education Department made to the programs, in part motivated by a nonpartisan watchdog report. It largely mirrors other relief he has granted in recent months. Read more
January 21, 2024
Schools face fewer supply chain disruptions
Far fewer schools are struggling to secure crucial goods like cafeteria menu items and laptops because of supply chain disruptions this school year than at the same time last school year, new data show. The National Center for Education Statistics’ School Pulse Panel conducted the survey, which included more than 1,500 schools from every state and the District of Columbia. In 2022 and 2023, schools most often cited food services as the area most affected by supply chain disruptions. In 2023 however, only 27% of schools reported food-related issues, compared with 54% the year prior. Laptops and other electronic devices have also proved harder to get because of supply chain problems in many districts. Just under 25% of respondents said in November 2023 that they’ve encountered difficulty securing the equipment, but that was down from 48% of schools in October 2022. Despite improvements, over half of schools still face supply chain challenges. The survey also revealed a shortage of qualified staff in the area of food service, with 41% of schools reporting nutrition staff shortages in November 2023, compared to 32% in October 2022. Read more
January 19, 2024
Justice Department blasts law enforcement’s botched response to Uvalde school shooting
In a newly released federal review, the US Justice Department identified “cascading failures” in the law enforcement’s delayed confrontation of the gunman in the Uvalde school shooting.
It took 77 minutes for responding officers to confront the shooter who killed 19 children and two teachers, wounding 17 others. Officers treated the gunman as a barricaded suspect, even amid pleas for help from children and teachers in calls to 911 operators.
“Their loved ones deserved better,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland during a Thursday morning press conference in Uvalde. Read more
January 18, 2024
Appeals court blocks Texas from enforcing book rating law
A federal appeals court blocked the Texas Education Agency on Wednesday from enforcing a state law that would require booksellers to rate books they send to schools based on their explicitness and amount of sexual references. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the most conservative in the nation, sided with booksellers, concluding the state law violated their First Amendment rights. Read more
January 17, 2024
Feds approve 12 months of Medicaid coverage for low-income Texas moms
New Texas moms will be able to stay on Medicaid for a year after childbirth, following years of advocating from maternal health advocates for year-long coverage. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approved the state’s application for Medicare and Medicaid approved the state’s application on Wednesday.
This makes Texas the 43rd state to be approved for the extended coverage. The approval goes into effect on March 1, 2024. Those whose pregnancy ended in the months before March 1 and lost postpartum Medicaid coverage are eligible to re-enroll to maintain coverage until 12 months after their pregnancy ended.
Back in 2021, the federal government denied Texas’ application for continued coverage because of medically inaccurate language intended to exclude people who had abortions. During the last regular legislative session, lawmakers worked to reach a proposal that the federal government would approve. A bill to expand postpartum coverage initially passed in the Texas House with largely bipartisan support, however it snagged in the Texas Senate. Read more
January 16, 2024
TEA sued over accountability system revisions
Dozens of school districts in Texas have filed a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency (TEA) over revisions to the state’s accountability system. The districts claim that the proposed new rules, which require a higher number of high school students to pursue a career after graduating, would be too abrupt and potentially set them up for failure. The TEA appealed a previous court decision that found the changes to be unlawful and harmful to districts. The release of the school ratings, which inform families and educators about school performance, has been postponed until the case is resolved. The lawsuit highlights the contentious issue of how to hold schools accountable for students’ academic performance and the potential ramifications of a bad grade, including a loss of funding and the threat of a state takeover. The outcome of the lawsuit is expected later this year. Read more
January 15, 2024
Texas schools to lose millions in federal special education funding
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has now notified districts that Medicaid reimbursements for special education students would be reduced by more than $300m, leaving school districts with millions of dollars to make up halfway through the school year just months after they passed budgets. Three districts, Northside ISD in San Antonio, Dallas, and Cypress-Fairbanks will each receive more than $10m less than HHSC expected to give them. Houston, Austin, and Katy ISD are close behind, with special education deficits of more than $5m each to make up. Harlandale ISD and San Antonio ISD, two districts that announced school closures in 2023 in order to make better use of limited funds, will both receive more than $2m less than expected. Read more
January 14, 2024
Houston ISD sued over gender pay gap
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is suing Houston ISD for allegedly paying some female employees less than their male colleagues. The lawsuit claims that female senior career and technical education (CTE) program specialists received lower wages despite “performing substantially equal work.” The EEOC also stated that these women were subject to stricter interpretations of its compensation manual, limiting their ability to qualify for higher starting salaries based on previous work experience. The lawsuit seeks back pay, damages, the elimination of pay disparities, and “other injunctive relief to correct and prevent future pay discrimination.” HISD is one of Houston’s largest employers, with over 27,100 part- and full-time employees. The district has not commented on the pending litigation. The EEOC will hold employers accountable when they violate this obligation,” said Rudy Sustaita, EEOC’s regional attorney in Houston. Read more
January 12, 2024
Lack of diversity among school superintendents in Texas
The lack of racial diversity among school superintendents in Texas is a cause for concern, according to a new study from the University of Texas at Austin. The study found that white men dominate the top administrative positions in school districts, despite the fact that the majority of students in Texas are Black and Latino. Women and minorities in the field are also underpaid compared to their white counterparts and often work in under-resourced urban schools. The study’s lead researcher, David DeMatthews, emphasizes that the lack of diversity among superintendents means that white educators are setting policies and standards for Black and brown students. The study also reveals that women, people of color, and women of color are more likely to serve in school districts that serve higher poverty students. Despite population shifts bringing more minority students to rural areas, the superintendent workforces there are still mostly white. Read more
January 11, 2024
This will be a critical election year for public education; voter registration deadline for party primaries is Feb. 5
Not only are we facing probably the most critical presidential election of our lifetimes, we also will be electing a U.S. senator and other members of Congress, members of the Texas Legislature, the State Board of Education and, in some districts, local school boards with major implications for public schools, educators and students.
The governor, lieutenant governor and most other statewide offices will not be on the ballot this year, but all 150 seats in the Texas House and about half of the seats in the state Senate will be. And both Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will be actively campaigning for pro-voucher legislative candidates who will support their efforts to divert billions of tax dollars from underfunded public schools to unregulated private schools. They also will try to unseat our legislative allies who value their local public schools and voted against vouchers last year.
Once again, we defeated vouchers in 2023 because of the hard work of TSTA members. But we will be fighting that fight again next year, and the results of this year’s legislative races, beginning with the March 5 party primaries, will go a long way toward determining how successful we are against vouchers and winning more funding for classrooms and educator pay raises when the Legislature returns in 2025.
TSTA PAC will be endorsing candidates from both parties for the Legislature, as well as school board candidates, and our only qualification will be candidates’ records or stands on public education. We will be providing more information about endorsements closer to the election.
For now, the first date to remember is Feb. 5, the deadline to register to vote in the primaries if you are not already registered. But don’t wait until then. Take a few minutes now to go to this secretary of state site and plug in the necessary information to find out if you are registered. If you are not, you can register here.
Early voting in person for the primaries will be Feb. 20-March 1, and the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot will be Feb. 23. Election Day will be Tuesday, March 5. Prepare now to Vote Education First!
January 10, 2024
School cafeterias struggle with rising costs and staffing shortages
School cafeterias are grappling with the dual challenges of rising food prices and staffing shortages, according to the School Nutrition Association’s annual survey. The cost of food, materials, and maintenance is increasing, while manufacturers are facing labor shortages, leading to higher expenses for schools. Staffing is also a major concern, as schools struggle to compete with businesses like McDonald’s and Walmart for employees. The shortage of skilled labor in kitchens necessitates additional training. The survey reveals that increasing costs and staff shortages are significant challenges for nutrition directors. Many directors express concerns about the financial sustainability of school meal programs in the future. The association calls on Congress to increase federal funding for school meals. However, the report also highlights some positive developments, such as fewer shortages of supplies and equipment. Student meal debt is improving, but districts still face challenges in communicating the need for payment to families. The report also shows that more districts are incorporating locally grown and raised foods, preparing more meals from scratch, and implementing farm-to-school initiatives. Read more
January 9, 2024
America’s Hidden Education Crisis
Absenteeism has nearly doubled since the pandemic. With state and federal governments largely abdicating any role in getting kids back into classrooms, some schools have turned to private companies for a reimagined version of the truant officer. Read more
January 8, 2024
The challenge of closing schools: Balancing budgets and equity
School districts across the country are grappling with the decision of whether to close schools with lower enrollments as they face declining student numbers and the end of pandemic relief funds. Enrollment declines have been projected for years, but the rate of decline has accelerated due to lower birth rates, families opting out of public education, and population shifts. The combination of these factors, along with the expiration of relief funds, has created a “perfect storm” for many districts’ budgets and enrollments. The issue of school closures is gaining attention in communities nationwide, with some districts already announcing plans to close schools. Research shows that school closures often disproportionately affect disadvantaged students, highlighting the need for districts to consider the impacts beyond budgetary concerns. Experts recommend early communication with communities, engaging in transparent conversations about potential closures, and incorporating feedback into future plans. The decision to close schools is challenging, but delaying it can strain districts that are already stretched thin. The trend of school closure proposals is expected to continue in the short term. Read more
January 5, 2024
USDA’s Summer EBT program to launch this year
The US Department of Agriculture will this summer launch a new permanent nutrition assistance program known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer. Families with children who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals will receive $40 per child each month to buy food during the summer, when school is out. The program could improve nutrition for 29m school-aged children if implemented nationwide. Over 30 states intend to enroll in the USDA program, while a handful of others, including Iowa and Nebraska, have so far declined to participate. Some state leaders have cited barriers to enrolling, including the program’s requirements for a state to cover 50% of the costs to administer Summer EBT. Congress approved the program in December 2022 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act. States were required to file an intent to enroll in the program by January 1. For school leaders who are passionate about this issue and reside in states that have opted out, Crystal FitzSimons, director of school and out-of-school time programs at the Food Research and Action Center, recommends that they consider “weighing in” with state education departments and policymakers to encourage implementing the program next year. Read more
January 4, 2024
Schools working to support special education teachers
The shortage of special education teachers in U.S. schools has reached crisis levels, with 45% of schools reporting unfilled positions. The stress experienced by these teachers has led to increased attrition rates and job-related stress. Lack of staff support and resources further contribute to the challenges faced by special educators. To address these issues, schools must implement programs dedicated to teaching self-care strategies and allocate resources for mental health support. Training in social-emotional learning skills and the establishment of communities of practice can also help reduce stress levels. Reflexive visual journaling has shown effectiveness in early detection of burnout indicators. Preventing burnout in special education requires collaboration from schools, districts, and policymakers. Prioritizing the well-being of special educators not only safeguards their mental and emotional health, but also enriches the educational experience for students with disabilities. Read more
January 3, 2024
Nine states urged to curb child Medicaid drops
The Biden administration has urged several states who’ve dropped the largest numbers of children from their Medicaid and Children Health Insurance Program rolls to take up more federal flexibilities to prevent them from losing healthcare coverage. Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas account for about 60% of the decline in children’s Medicaid and CHIP enrollment from March through September, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has called on the states to adopt federal flexibilities and strategies to ease renewal, remove CHIP enrollment fees and premiums, reduce call center wait times, partner with local organizations, and expand Medicaid. Read more.
January 2, 2024
FTC proposes tighter limits on using children’s data
The Federal Trade Commission has proposed changes to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, or COPPA Rule, whereby new guardrails would be placed on the use of children’s personal data and a company’s ability to profit from using that information. The COPPA Rule currently imposes certain requirements on websites or online service providers that target and knowingly collect the personal information of children under 13 years old. Specifically, these providers must notify and obtain parental consent before collecting, using or disclosing their children’s data. The rule also limits how long online service providers can retain the data, which must be securely stored. The FTC said in a statement that its proposal “aims to shift the burden from parents to providers to ensure that digital services are safe and secure for children.” Read more
December 19, 2023
Holiday greetings from TSTA
2023 was a mixed year for TSTA. The Legislature, which was in session for most of the year, refused to increase state funding for public schools or raise educator pay, and, in a slap at the richness of Texas’ growing diversity, banned DEI offices in state-supported universities. But we defeated the toughest campaign for private school vouchers yet, won a long-overdue benefits increase for retired educators and celebrated numerous successes at the local school board level. As we come to the end of this challenging year, we want to thank all of you — our amazing #TeamTSTA family — for the work you do on behalf of the students, educators and communities in Texas.
Through it all — from underfunded campuses to teacher shortages to political attacks — you continued to do your jobs, focusing on your students’ academic requirements as well as their safety and social and emotional needs. We all are looking forward to a well-earned timeout, a chance to gather with our families and friends and recharge for the work and opportunities that 2024 will bring.
TSTA headquarters in Austin will be closed from Dec. 20-Jan 1 for the winter break. The Briefing will resume after we return.
We, the officers and staff of TSTA, wish all of you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and winter break. Stay safe and healthy. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!
December 18, 2023
TRS board instructs staff to distribute COLAs next month; Pension Trust Fund did better in fiscal 23
At their final quarterly meeting of the year, TRS trustees adopted a resolution directing staff to timely distribute the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to retirees on their January payment dates. These benefits boosts, ranging from 2 to 6 percent, depending on an individual’s retirement date, were approved last spring by the Legislature and on Nov. 7 by Texas voters in the constitutional amendments’ election.
Several bogus lawsuits filed by election-deniers questioned the election results for all the amendments and for a short while threatened to delay the higher payments. But state lawyers figured out a way to dodge the lawsuits and proceed with the payments after the election results were certified.
You can find updates on the COLA payments on the 2023 TRS Retiree Benefit Enhancements page.
December 17, 2023
Biden-Harris Administration announces approval of an additional $4.8 billion in student loan debt relief
This relief covers 80,300 borrowers and stems from fixes made by the US Department of Education to income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). We believe it includes a large number of TSTA and other NEA members.
This latest wave of debt relief includes $2.6 billion in forgiveness for 34,400 borrowers under PSLF. This brings the total relief through PSLF since October 2021 to $53.5 billion for almost 750,000 borrowers, including $3.4 billion in relief for 47,950 Texans.
By contrast, only about 7,000 borrowers nationwide had received forgiveness through these programs at the start of the Biden-Harris Administration.
December 16, 2023
Coalition co-founded by TSTA testifies on educator certification
In its December meeting, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) discussed proposed changes to Educator Preparation Program (EPP) rules in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) chapters 228 and 230. Chapter 228 is related to EPP curricular requirements, and Chapter 230 relates to certification exam requirements for educator candidates. The Texas Coalition for Education Preparation (TCEP), a coalition co-founded by TSTA, provided testimony on items related to both chapters.
TCEP seeks to advance the profile of the education profession by supporting the continuous improvement of educator recruitment, preparation and certification practices. TCEP believes that performance assessment is a beneficial instrument by which to develop teacher candidates but is not an appropriate instrument to use as a licensure exam. When a performance assessment is embedded in the curriculum required by Ch. 228, candidates have access to feedback from field supervisors and more opportunity to grow and learn. When performance assessment is used as a certification exam required by Ch. 230, candidates lack access to this feedback. For this reason, TCEP has advocated since its founding that a performance assessment be added as a requirement in Chapter 228 as a part of a candidate’s preparation, and that certification exams required in Ch. 230 be more traditional exams required of all candidates after completing the EPP coursework.
Even though the State Board of Education vetoed an SBEC-adopted rule in 2022 that would have required performance assessment as a certification exam in Ch. 230, the Texas Education Agency is still pushing this agenda. So, TCEP testified once again that EPPs should be required to prepare educators using a performance assessment of their choosing but that this should not be used as a high-stakes certification exam in Ch. 230.
SBEC also discussed the development of a new standard certificate for teacher residents, a pathway that TSTA and TCEP support. However, TEA is proposing that candidates who complete the residency pathway would not be required to pass the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam, an exam required for all other standard certificates. We oppose this provision. TSTA and TCEP believe that all EPPs should be held to high curricular standards and that teacher candidates must be required to demonstrate mastery of skills via certification and licensure regardless of preparation pathway.
Read TCEP’s testimony on Chapter 228.
Read testimony on Chapter 230.
December 14, 2023
School staffing shortages creating bigger class sizes
Administrators are being pushed to increase class sizes because of teacher vacancies, according to data released Thursday by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). School leaders relied on other strategies, too, for making do amid shortages. About 40% said they used their teachers and staff to perform duties outside of their intended role, while 24% shared teachers and staff with other schools. The shortages had other effects on school life, including disruptions in student transportation, fewer extracurricular activities, and a reduction in student services. Overall, one in five schools said they had multiple teacher vacancies, a problem that especially affected large schools, those in high poverty neighborhoods, and those with enrollments primarily of students of color. In broad terms, the data reflected improvements compared with a year earlier, but also underlines how the fallout of the pandemic continues. NCES Commissioner Peggy Carr said in a statement that it “does signal progress,” while also expressing concern about the large share of students behind academically. Read more
December 13, 2023
Kentucky charter school funding law struck down by judge
A Kentucky law aimed at setting up a funding method for charter schools was struck down by a judge on Monday, dealing another setback for school choice advocates. The decision likely stymies efforts, for now, to give charter schools a foothold in the Bluegrass State. In his ruling, the judge said the law violated Kentucky’s constitution, establishing a separate class of publicly funded but privately controlled schools. Read more
December 12, 2023
New Ed Dept deadlines revealed for regulations
The Education Department now plans to issue both of its final Title IX rules by March 2024, almost a year after its original May 2023 goal. If published by its new deadline, the rules would come five months after they were delayed a second time in October 2023. Educators, parents, students, and advocates are eagerly awaiting the first major update in four decades to regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which will impact requirements in K-12 for how schools accommodate students with disabilities. Read more
December 11, 2023
Funding package not passed by Texas legislature
The Texas state legislature has failed to pass a school funding package. The Austin American-Statesman comments that “Of 15 school districts in Central Texas, only five avoided adopting a deficit budget this year,” quoting Round Rock school Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez as saying that said his district needed to appeal to voters because it could not afford to wait for the Legislature to act. Read more
December 8, 2023
Biden administration approves $4.8b student loan debt cancellation
The Biden administration has approved an additional $4.8bn in federal student loan debt cancellation for approximately 80,000 borrowers. This brings the total approved debt cancellation to $132bn for 3.6m borrowers. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stated that this relief is historic and no other administration has come close to providing such relief. The latest round of relief is a result of fixes to the income-driven repayment plan and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The Education Department has also canceled $11.7bn for borrowers with disabilities and $22.5bn for borrowers who were cheated by their schools or experienced sudden closures. Read more
December 7, 2023
Texas SBOE member says oil and gas industry influenced decision to reject textbooks
Texas State Board of Education member Aicha Davis says the state is not being straightforward with Texas students about climate change.
The Republican-controlled board recently decided to reject seven of 12 eighth-grade science textbooks that are now required to include some information on climate change.
Davis says many of her colleagues decided the rejected books went too far, teaching students how to advocate for solutions to climate change, for instance, or that they taught climate change as settled science.
These decisions, Davis said, were influenced by the oil and gas industry in Texas.
“My colleagues clearly said it over and over. They wanted to make sure oil and gas was only seen in a positive light, minimal information about clean energy, lots of positive things about oil and gas,” said the board member from Dallas. Read more
December 6, 2023
Texas Legislature adjourns fourth special session
The fourth special legislative session ended Tuesday when the House adjourned without taking action on some key bills the Senate had passed, leaving senators with little choice but to adjourn as well.
It concluded much like it began, with no deal on school vouchers, other Republican priorities sunk by intra-party fighting and a governor unable to broker peace between the feuding heads of the legislative chambers.
The latest casualties were Senate Bill 5, which would spend $800 million on school safety measures through 2025; and Senate Bill 6, which would change the timeline of a trial after an election contest is filed by a citizen or group. The failure to pass school vouchers, while a victory for Democrats and some rural Republicans, came at the cost of blocking funding that would have also increased school funding and provided bonuses for teachers. Read more
December 5, 2023
Telehealth booms as schools address student mental health crisis
As schools across the country grapple with the student mental health crisis, the use of telehealth therapy for students has skyrocketed. At least 16 of the 20 largest U.S. public school districts are now offering online therapy sessions, with schools signing provider contracts worth over $70m. Teletherapy has made therapy more accessible, particularly for rural schools and lower-income students. The growth of teletherapy companies has raised concerns about the quality of care offered. However, educators say teletherapy works for many kids and helps prevent them from falling through the cracks. Schools are using federal pandemic relief money to fund teletherapy services, but competition with telehealth providers is making it harder to hire in-person school counselors. Read more
December 4, 2023
Texas Senate passes bill to increase funding for school safety
The Texas Senate has passed a bill that would increase funding for school safety in public schools. The bill, known as Senate Bill 5, would provide an additional $400m to the Texas Education Agency to distribute among schools. This is in addition to the $1.1bn already set aside for school safety grants. The bill would also increase the amount of direct funding that schools receive for safety improvements. If the bill becomes law, new school safety investments from the state since last year would reach about $2.5bn. However, it is unclear whether schools will actually receive the funds as lawmakers are running out of time to pass legislation. The bill now needs final approval from the House, which has its own similar bill stuck in a Senate committee. Passing the bill may be challenging due to strained relationships between the House and the Senate.
December 1, 2023
Rural students face persistent access barriers
Students attending rural schools across the United States have less access to school psychologists and counselors than their nonrural peers. According to research from the National Rural Education Association, they may also face other educational, mental, and physical well-being barriers impacting rural areas. Rural schools and students “often seem invisible” because lawmakers may not fully understand the challenges they encounter, despite there being 9.5m students attending public schools in rural areas. The report also highlights areas of progress, including increased diversity of rural students and a slightly higher graduation rate than their nonrural peers. Read more
November 30, 2023
Schools to receive free rapid COVID-19 tests
School districts across the country will soon be able to order free rapid COVID-19 tests from the federal government. The initiative aims to provide millions of tests to schools as COVID cases are expected to peak in the winter months. This is the first time that 19,000 school districts will have direct access to tests from a federal stockpile. Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response within the Department of Health and Human Services, states that the tests can be used by schools as they see fit, including sharing them with students, staff, and family members. Read more
November 29, 2023
Austin ISD to build 500-unit housing complex for educators
Austin ISD has signed a contract with NRP Group to develop a 500-unit housing complex for local educators. The complex, located on the site of the Anita Ferrales Coy Facility, aims to provide affordable housing for teachers and school staff in Austin. The district plans to prioritize teachers and staff for the housing units, at least half of which will be affordable. The exact number and placement of the units are yet to be determined. The district also plans to construct a new building for the Alternative Learning Center on the Coy site. The housing construction is expected to begin in summer 2025. This project is part of the district’s larger initiative to repurpose old elementary school sites. In addition, the district has partnered with United Way for Greater Austin to create an affordable child care facility at the old Pease Elementary School. The district aims to address the challenge of attracting and retaining staff by providing housing and child care solutions. Read more
November 28, 2023
Ed Dept calls on more states to develop innovative assessments
The federal Department of Education has updated guidance for a federal program that encourages innovative and high-quality assessment design practices. In an effort to improve student assessments, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has written to state education leaders, state assessment directors, and state Title I directors to stress that the department is eliminating the cap on the number of states that can participate in the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA), which is a program that allows states to pilot new assessment approaches. The letter notes that student assessment results may differ between existing state assessments and assessments developed under the IADA. The guidance is broadly intended to provide every state with “running room” to pilot assessment innovation. The department hopes testing changes will inform instruction, interventions, professional development, and resource planning in addition to bolstering grade-level mastery three years after the pandemic began impacting learning. Read more
November 27, 2023
Federal education funds secured through February
Federal funding for education will continue at the fiscal year 2023 level at least through February 2, according to an agreement by Congress. Regarding the entire federal budget, Congress reached a budget deal in June to level-fund nondefense programs, including early childhood and K-12 education, but lawmakers have not been able to agree on specific appropriations. The continuing resolution approved by both the House and Senate avoided a government shutdown, but there’s frustration from parents and early childhood education providers that additional money for child care was not made available. Read more
November 26, 2023
Laws restricting pronouns for students spark concern
Laws enacted in at least 10 states prohibit or restrict students from using pronouns or names that don’t match their sex assigned at birth. These laws have sparked fear and confusion among transgender students and teachers. Supporters argue that parents should have a say in their children’s pronoun usage, while opponents believe these laws further marginalize transgender and nonbinary students. Mental health experts and advocates warn that requiring parental consent or notification of pronouns can put trans students at risk. Some teachers are finding ways to defy the restrictions, but many fear the consequences. The lack of guidance on compliance with the new laws adds to the confusion. Teachers’ groups express concerns about the administrative burdens and confusion caused by these laws. Lawsuits have been filed in Kentucky and Indiana challenging the constitutionality of these laws. Read more
November 25, 2023
Lake Travis ISD proposes new library policy to increase parental involvement
Lake Travis ISD has put forward a new library policy aimed at increasing parental involvement. The proposed policy seeks to engage parents in their children’s education by encouraging them to participate in library activities. The policy has sparked debate among educators and parents. Some see it as a positive step towards fostering a stronger connection between parents and schools, while others have concerns about potential limitations on access to library resources. The district hopes that by involving parents in library policy, they can create a more inclusive and collaborative learning environment. Read more
November 22, 2023
Murky future for vouchers in Texas
Following a pivotal Texas House vote that likely has halted progression on school voucher legislation, it’s unclear what next steps, if any, there are when it comes to one of Governor Greg Abbott’s top legislative priorities.
On Friday, the Texas House took its most direct vote on the issue, with representatives voting 84-63 to strip a voucher program out of an expansive education bill.
Both chambers quickly gaveled in and out on Tuesday, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The current, fourth special session can go until Dec. 6, but some lawmakers have appeared to already signal uninterest in returning to Austin unless it’s for debate on major legislation. The session has also overlapped with the candidate filing period for the March primaries, which started Nov. 11 and goes through Dec. 11. During this time, lawmakers are usually carving out political plans assessing what elected offices become open as others opt not to pursue reelection. Read more
November 21, 2023
Texas rejects science textbooks over climate change
The Texas State Board of Education has voted to block science lessons published by eight companies from appearing on an influential statewide list of textbook providers, citing problems with the way they depicted climate change and evolution. Some of the 15 elected board members raised issues with a book from publisher Discovery Education because it discussed how the U.S. isn’t energy independent and lags behind other nations in oil reserves. During an initial discussion on the textbooks before the vote, Republican members of the board expressed a desire for some materials to depict both the scientific theory of evolution and the Bible story of creationism. Others said some textbooks cast the oil-and-gas industry in a bad light, which could have negative repercussions on the energy-heavy state’s economy.
November 20, 2023
Austin ISD faces difficult position with TEA
The agreement between Austin ISD and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) puts the district in a difficult position, with many exacting requirements that must be satisfied to avoid TEA taking over the district’s special education services. The Lone Star Governance model, which focuses on student outcomes measured by standardized tests, is a key requirement. Ashley Paz, an LSG coach trained by former TEA deputy commissioner A.J. Crabill, has been hired to coach AISD’s board members. The training sessions have been described as uncomfortable, with participants asked to admit their failures. Some suspect TEA’s intervention is laying the groundwork for privatization of public schools. Austin ISD’s monitorship is set to last two years, but recent experience in Round Rock ISD shows that ending a monitorship can be messy. Relatedly, it looks like there will be a new, permanent superintendent at Austin ISD by early December, and it’ll likely be Matias Segura, the current interim super.
November 18, 2023
TSTA applauds House members who stood up for public schools with anti-voucher vote
TSTA applauds the House members, Democrats and Republicans, who stood up for their public schools today by voting to strip a costly voucher provision from House Bill 1. This should be a clear signal to Gov. Abbott to end his efforts to bully these legislators into doing something they clearly don’t want to do — spend tax dollars on unregulated private schools when their neighborhood public schools, the centers of their local communities — are underfunded. Read full release
November 17, 2023
School voucher bill to reach Texas House floor for potentially pivotal vote
According to legislative records, it’s possible that a school voucher bill has never made it to the floor of the Texas House. Historically the lower chamber has been averse to passing such legislation, with arguments hinging on how integral public schools are to smaller local communities.
But today, the Texas House appears poised to vote on House Bill 1, a $7 billion education proposal that would create education savings accounts. The savings accounts would be a voucher-like program that would allow parents to use taxpayer funds to pay for alternatives to public schools. Inside the bill are billions of dollars worth of new funding for public schools, likely to help entice lawmakers on the fence about school vouchers.
Opponents argue money for education savings accounts could be better spent going straight toward public schools, while school voucher proponents have argued that such a program would help empower parents to make the right educational decisions for their children. Watch the Texas House livestream
November 16, 2023
Rural students face educational challenges
More students in the United States attend rural schools than the 100 largest school districts combined. However, rural students lack access to school psychologists and counselors, broadband internet, and school transportation. Read more
November 14, 2023
HB 1 is a bad deal for Texas students
First, a taxpayer funded voucher would devastate public schools, which are in desperate need of the investment that Abbott is proposing to spend on unaccountable private entities. Everywhere these voucher schemes have been tried, taxpayers end up on the hook for ballooning demands for public funding, and there’s no reason to believe HB 1 would be any different.
Furthermore, the inadequacy of the public school funding and educator pay provisions of the bill would make the whole proposition a non-starter even if vouchers were off the table. The basic allotment to school districts needs an infusion of funding that would cover the $1000 per student shortfall that inflationary pressures have cost schools since 2019. HB 1 does not do that.
Please use this form to let your representative know that vouchers are bad for Texas students, and that you oppose HB 1 even without the voucher provision.
November 10, 2023
Voucher bill gets a hearing, skepticism remains high in House
On Thursday, a House bill on school vouchers finally received a hearing in the lower chamber, a crucial step that will decide whether the proposal gets a full vote after remaining stagnant in the previous special session.
But voucher opponents in the House remained critical of Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priority — and ultimately expressed frustration with the governor’s insistence to tie public education funding with a voucher program. Read more
November 9, 2023
Voter approval rate for school maintenance and construction costs rebounds
At least 50% of the bond proposals put on the ballot in Texas passed. A decrease in voter approval is attributed to a 2019 state law that required school districts to label bond elections as “tax increases.” However, this year’s election saw a turnaround in some places, with voters approving over $400m for school maintenance in Ector County for example. Despite some opposition, voters recognized the need for investment in schools. This year’s election results reflect a desire to improve school facilities and address the rising number of students enrolling in districts. Read more
November 7, 2023
As long as the governor continues to bully lawmakers to pass vouchers, TSTA will fight back
We are angry that Gov. Abbott has called another special session and continues to bully House members to cave to his demands for taxpayer-funded private school vouchers. Abbott continues to pander to wealthy political contributors and school privatization groups, while voucher opponents in the Legislature are trying to protect their neighborhood public schools.
Although the governor has added public school funding and teacher pay to the next session’s agenda, we know his top priority remains the creation of a voucher program that would soon divert billions of dollars from under-funded school districts to subsidize private school tuition for well-to-do families and enrich owners of unregulated private schools.
As long as the governor keeps wasting millions of tax dollars on voucher special sessions, TSTA and our allies continue fighting back because vouchers would be even more wasteful. Texas taxpayers and their public schools can’t afford them. We will oppose any bill in the new session that includes a voucher program.
November 6, 2023
Time is running out for the third session
With just two days left in the third special legislative session, it is increasingly unlikely that Texas lawmakers will agree to pass school voucher legislation or any additional bills related to border security before sine die.
On Sunday afternoon, the Texas Senate gaveled in and out until Tuesday, the last day of the 30-day session, without passing any legislation. Senators had been set to discuss House Bill 4, which would create a state crime to enter the state illegally from Mexico and would allow police officers to detain and transport that person to a port of entry and order them to return to Mexico, even if they’re not a Mexican citizen.
Lawyers have said HB 4 is unconstitutional since the federal government has sole jurisdiction over immigration matters. Critics of the bill have also raised concerns that it could lead to officers mistakenly arresting U.S. citizens who live in border towns if they don’t immediately have proof of citizenship.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized HB 4 in a statement last week, calling it a “Texas-sized-catch-and-release-bill,” arguing that it would allow immigrants who cross the border illegally to become repeat offenders.
Lawmakers have also been unable to agree on a voucher program, which would allow families to use taxpayer dollars on private school education. The House has still not moved on a Senate proposal for such a program.
On Friday, Rep. Brad Buckley released a revised voucher plan that would allow for a significant funding increase for public schools and academic accountability measures for students participating in the proposed voucher program, two of the biggest requests from voucher opponents.
The new legislation would make every Texas student eligible to apply for education savings accounts. Children accepted into the program would have to take a standardized test; if they have failing grades for two years in a row, they would be kicked out of the program.
Buckley said he would file his new bill in an upcoming special session, which Gov. Greg Abbott is widely expected to announce soon. Read more
November 4, 2023
Republicans opposing Wi-Fi on school buses
The federal government’s plan to bring Wi-Fi to school buses is drawing objections from Republicans, who argue that the cost isn’t worth the effort and will only enable unsupervised kids to spend more time on social media. The FCC has issued a ruling allowing E-Rate program funding to be used for Wi-Fi on school buses starting in 2024. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel believes that providing Wi-Fi on school buses can turn ride time into connected time for homework. The plan has faced opposition from Republicans who argue that it goes beyond the scope of the E-Rate program and will not improve learning outcomes. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a bill to prohibit social media on E-Rate supported devices and networks. Read more
November 3, 2023
Dark money nonprofit with ties to Texas billionaire works to defeat Midland school bond
Public policy groups associated with Texas billionaire Tim Dunn have helped to ensure that tax hike language is attached to every school bond ballot measure in the state. This is regardless of the bond measure’s actual impact on local taxes.
Most recently, Dunn has relied on that language to cast doubt on a bond in his hometown of Midland, where residents will vote on a $1.4 billion bond package, the largest in its history.
The dark-money organization Move Midland, whose leaders have ties to Dunn’s Midland oil and gas company, has become a vocal opponent against the bond. But Dunn also founded a private Christian school in the city, which some argue is a conflict of interest.
Midland ISD has said the bond won’t raise tax rates because new rates adopted in September were set lower than the previous year, and also include the bond’s impact.
Dunn’s vested interests have caught the attention of residents throughout Midland. His oil companies control mineral properties that, combined, owed more than $1.3 million in estimated property taxes to the school district for 2023. Dunn and his family also own five-million-dollar homes where property taxes go to Midland ISD.
November 2, 2023
Abbott’s school voucher deal fails in House
Governor Greg Abbott’s deal to advance school vouchers has failed in the House, with less than a week before the Legislature adjourns. The House has not taken any action on the governor’s priority legislation, and the special session is set to end soon. Despite Abbott’s optimism, no voucher bill has materialized in the lower chamber.
This lack of progress all but guarantees a fourth special session, as Abbott had previously vowed. The governor’s inability to sway Republicans who opposed vouchers in the past has hindered the passage of the bill. The House’s inaction mirrors what happened the previous day, when Abbott announced an agreement on vouchers with House Speaker Dade Phelan’s team, only for the speaker and Republican holdouts to deny the existence of such a deal.
If vouchers fail, Abbott has threatened to support primary challengers to anti-voucher Republican House members. Read more
November 1, 2023
Home schooling numbers appear to be soaring
Home schooling has become the nation’s fastest-growing form of education, a Washington Post analysis shows. The dramatic rise in home schooling at the onset of the pandemic has largely sustained itself through the 2022-23 academic year, defying predictions that most families would return to schools. The Post was able to collect reliable data from 32 states and the District of Columbia, representing more than 60% of the country’s school-age population. The resulting analysis, which includes home-school registration figures for nearly 7,000 individual school districts, is the most detailed look to date at an unprecedented period of growth in American home schooling.
Home schooling’s surging popularity crosses every measurable line of politics, geography and demographics. Despite claims that the home-schooling boom is a result of failing public schools, the Post found no correlation between school district quality, as measured by standardized test scores, and home-schooling growth. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that in 2019 there were 1.5m kids being home-schooled in the United States. This was the last official federal estimate. Read more
October 31, 2023
TSTA will not sacrifice the future of public education for taxpayer-funded vouchers
Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina released the following statement:
We are glad Gov. Abbott has expanded the call of the special session to school finance because our public schools need a significant boost in funding and our woefully under-paid teachers and school support staff need raises. But let me be clear: We will continue to oppose a school funding or educator pay bill that includes an “education savings account” or any other voucher plan spending taxpayer dollars on private schools, regardless of how limited that voucher plan may be.
As the experiences of existing voucher states tell us, initial limits placed on voucher plans are soon lifted, and taxpayers are paying billions of dollars on private school costs for selected families, at the expense of under-funded public schools.
We cannot and will not accept a school finance or educator pay plan now that sacrifices the future of public education in Texas.
The governor also has made it clear that his priorities are not the public schools, teachers and students of Texas. His priorities are still determined by wealthy political donors who want to privatize public education. We continue to call on House members of both parties to reject the governor’s bullying tactics and keep fighting for their public schools, which is their constitutional responsibility.
Biden administration urges schools to carry naloxone
Overdose deaths among teens have been increasing, prompting the Biden administration to call on schools to purchase and carry the opioid overdose antidote naloxone. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona wrote a joint letter urging every school in the United States to have naloxone available. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, for over-the-counter use. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain and restoring breathing. Read more
October 30, 2023
After-school meal participation declining
Though after-school meal participation remained steady throughout the pandemic’s disruptions to school operations, momentum has since slowed down. After-school programs served 1.42m children in October 2019, 1.45m in October 2020, 1.49m in October 2021, but just 1.15m in October 2022, according to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). On an average weekday in October 2022, over 1.6m low-income children missed their opportunity to eat an after-school meal because the meals weren’t served at all. That equates to $116.5m missed in federal reimbursements, according to FRAC, an advocate for expanding the Afterschool Meal Program. To increase access to after-school meals, FRAC recommends Congress lower the area eligibility requirements to allow more communities to participate. There’s also a need to raise federal funding for after-school programs and to streamline the Afterschool Meal Program and Summer Food Service Program so sponsors don’t have to duplicate administrative hurdles, FRAC says. Read more
October 27, 2023
Temporary injunction secured in lawsuit against Morath
A coalition of school districts has been granted a temporary injunction in their lawsuit against Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. The districts, including Dallas ISD, sued Morath to stop him from implementing new standards that they argue will lower performance ratings for many districts and campuses. The A-F school accountability system in Texas evaluates every district across the state, providing families with information on how their local campuses are performing. The ratings can influence home-buying decisions and enrollment in the public school system. The lawsuit alleges that Morath did not provide districts with enough notice about the measures and procedures that would apply to their next set of scores. Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde even warned that the district could see a record number of D and F ratings if the revised formula is implemented. The TEA plans to appeal the decision. A trial is set for February 12.
October 26, 2023
Private schools pose limited options for disabled students
The proposed voucher bills in Texas could put accessibility at risk for disabled students enrolled in public special education programs. Private schools that offer special education for disabled students have strict conditions and are clustered in metropolitan areas. There are only 67 of these schools in total, with a majority concentrated in urban areas. Many of these schools have limits on the types of disabilities they can accommodate and have high tuition fees. The current public special education system in Texas could be seen as lacking, and the state has struggled to comply with federal requirements. Vouchers may provide some solutions for families in metropolitan areas, but there are concerns about transparency and accountability in private schools. Vouchers are not a comprehensive solution and leave many issues untouched. Read more
October 25, 2023
New pediatric clinic coming to Fort Worth elementary
A Fort Worth elementary school is set to become the site of a new pediatric clinic under a partnership with the University of North Texas Health Science Center. The Fort Worth Independent School District’s board approved the partnership, allowing the medical school to provide care at Eastern Hills Elementary. The clinic will offer mental and behavioral health care in the coming months and comprehensive medical care next spring. The partnership will have medical providers from UNTHSC staffing the clinic, while the district will maintain the space. Read more
October 23, 2023
Texas House and Senate at odds over how to boost future funding for a school voucher program
The Texas House and Senate are at odds over how much discretion to give state leaders in funding a private-school voucher program. It’s the latest flashpoint in an ongoing battle between the two chambers over whether the state should help schoolchildren pay for a private education.
A key difference between Republican proposals in each chamber lies in whether to allow state leaders to grow the program by sweeping money from other agencies without the approval of the Texas Legislature.
The school voucher program put forward by the House, House Bill 1, states that Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislative Budget Board cannot use the board’s budget authority to boost the amount of tax dollars for the bill’s education savings accounts. Because of the Legislative Budget Board’s “budget execution” power, it can shift money around without legislative action.
The House’s bill says state funding for an education savings account program must come only from dollars already appropriated during this year’s regular session— up to $500 million for the biennium from the general revenue fund, which comes from state tax dollars.
But the Senate’s bill would let state leaders grow the program by taking money from other agencies without the Legislature’s approval. Their bill, Senate Bill 1, explicitly allows budget “transfers” to fund the program at any point before lawmakers meet for the next regular session in 2025.
If there is enough interest in the Senate’s savings account program, the bill could conceivably use the entire $500 million in its first year, which could trigger a potential $1 billion commitment every two years if it continued at that level.
Neither bill, at this point, projects the actual costs of the program beyond its first year. Read more
October 22, 2023
Brownsville ISD begins process to hire new superintendent
Brownsville ISD has started the process of hiring a new superintendent. The announcement comes after the McAllen ISD named BISD Superintendent Rene Gutierrez as the lone finalist for its superintendent position. The 21-day waiting period before contract negotiations can begin with Gutierrez has been initiated. BISD Board President Jessica B. Gonzalez expressed gratitude for Gutierrez’s leadership and his role in achieving an “A” rating for the district. The board will hold a special meeting to discuss the next steps in hiring an interim superintendent and deciding on the search process. Read more
October 21, 2023
Houston ISD seeing significant enrollment decline
More than half of Houston ISD campuses have seen a decline in student enrollment this year, resulting in a loss of at least $62m in state funding. The district has experienced a decline in enrollment for several years, with 32,500 fewer students compared to pre-pandemic levels. Other school districts, such as San Antonio and Plano, are also considering closing campuses due to the drop in students. While Houston ISD has reassured parents and educators that there are no immediate plans to close schools, the district has acknowledged that closures may be possible in the future. The enrollment decline is attributed to the pandemic, charter schools, and declining birth rates. Some HISD campuses have seen significant drops in enrollment, with Las Americas Middle School experiencing a 68% decline and Shadowbriar Elementary School seeing a 37% decline. The district is now exploring options such as converting underpopulated campuses into centers for newcomers or early childhood centers. Read more
October 20, 2023
Team TSTA member named Texas Teacher of the Year
Taniece Thompson-Smith, a fifth-grade science teacher at Abilene ISD’s Stafford Elementary and Education Abilene member, was named the 2024 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year. Thompson-Smith was chosen to represent the state as Texas Teacher of the Year in the National Teacher of the Year competition, making her official title Texas Teacher of the Year.
Naveen Cunha, eighth-grade Robotics teacher at Stephen F. Austin Middle School in Bryan ISD, was named the 2024 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year.
The announcements were made during an awards ceremony in Round Rock, Texas, October 20. Both state-level winners will receive a cash award and a commemorative trophy.
Also honored during the luncheon were the Regional Teachers of the Year and the finalists for Texas Teacher of the Year: Schrundagale Griffith, Foster Middle School, Longview ISD; Cynthia Hopkins, Harold C. Kaffie Middle School, Corpus Christi ISD; Isela Russell, Wellington Elementary School, Lewisville ISD; and McKinney Education Association member Genesis Yougas, Lawson Early Childhood School, McKinney ISD.
Texas bill proposes education savings accounts for students
A sweeping bill filed late Thursday in Texas proposes the creation of education savings accounts (ESAs) for a limited number of students, with the potential for it to double in the following year. The bill, introduced by Rep. Brad Buckley, would limit ESAs to 25,000 students in the next school year, with priority given to students with disabilities or those living in poverty. The ESAs would be worth 75% of the state’s average per-student funding. The bill also includes increased formula funding for public schools, higher salaries for educators, and incentives for teacher preparation and certification. However, the bill faces uncertainty in the House, where rural Republicans have previously opposed voucher-like proposals. The bill differs from the Senate’s proposal, which has already passed, and would provide families with access to $8,000 for private-school tuition or $1,000 for homeschooling. The ESAs would be funded by $500m from the state’s general revenue. Read more
October 19, 2023
Amarillo ISD votes on resolution against Senate Bill 1
Amarillo Independent School District has voted to adopt a resolution opposing Senate Bill 1, which aims to implement a school choice program in Texas. AISD is concerned that this program would divert funding away from public schools and towards schools that do not have the same accountability standards. The district is already facing low enrollment rates and has discussed the possibility of consolidating elementary schools. Coyle Corder, AISD Board President, emphasized the need for equal funding, accountability, and entrance standards in any new system. He also noted that Texas currently ranks in the bottom 4% in funding per student in the United States. Read more
October 18, 2023
TSTA: Governor Abbott doesn’t listen to educators; he bullies educators, families and legislators for vouchers
If Governor Abbott listened to educators — the real education experts — he would be demanding and ensuring that the Legislature substantially increase funding for our under-funded public schools, and he would demand and ensure that lawmakers provide raises for our under-paid teachers and school support staff…Period.
He wouldn’t be trying to tie those necessities to vouchers.
But Abbott doesn’t listen to educators. His actions thus far tell you that he doesn’t listen or respect Texas educators, our students or their families. Read the full comment
October 17, 2023
‘Grow your own’ school librarians
The number of certified school librarians in the United States has been decreasing, with a loss of over 10,000 positions between 1999 and 2016. Around 30% of students now lack full-time school librarians. Recruiting new school librarians is challenging due to the stringent requirements, including a master’s degree in library science. However, the Charleston County School District in South Carolina has successfully reversed its teacher-librarian vacancy rate by implementing a “grow-your-own” program. This program, in partnership with a local university, offers incentives such as free tuition and flexible programming. The district reports zero teacher-librarian vacancies and improved academic achievement among students. Read more
October 16, 2023
Federal LGBTQ+ workplace protections could impact schools
Federal proposed guidance protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from harassment and discrimination in the workplace could come into direct conflict with state and local policies on pronoun use and facility access for transgender school employees. At least nine states prohibit transgender people from using bathrooms and other facilities like locker rooms in K-12 schools, according to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks policies on LGBTQ+ related issues. The guidance, proposed earlier this month by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, would consider intentional and repeated misgendering, as well as denial of bathroom access or other facilities, as sex-based discrimination. Under this policy, schools and other employers that bar transgender employees from bathrooms aligning with their gender identities or don’t recognize an employee’s preferred pronouns would be considered to be discriminatory and in violation of federal sex- and gender-based harassment protections. Read more
October 15, 2023
Schools are cracking down on cellphone use in classrooms
Educators have found creative ways to separate students from their phones, such as requiring students to leave their backpacks and phones at the front of the room. More schools across the country are also restricting students’ smartphone use to address concerns about academic performance and mental well-being. District leaders and principals have reported positive outcomes since implementing no-phone policies, including increased student engagement and reduced discipline problems. Schools are ensuring cellphone bans are effective by taking opinions from students, parents, and staff into account and enforcing the policies consistently. Read more
October 12, 2023
Chronic absenteeism rates have doubled in recent years
The proportion of students attending schools with high or extreme rates of chronic absenteeism has more than doubled, from 26% in 2017-18 to 66% in 2021-22, according to a report by the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University and Attendance Works. The analysis of federal data highlights the impact of pandemic-era surges in absences on students, even those with strong attendance. Read more
October 10, 2023
Most E-rate participants want greater supports from FCC funds
The majority of schools and libraries participating in the federal E-rate program continue to report a need for cybersecurity support provided by the Federal Communications Commission funds. The 13th annual E-rate survey, released this week by Funds For Learning, indicates that less than half (48%) of participants feel that their library or school currently budgets for cybersecurity products and services on an annual basis. Additionally, 93% of participants agree or strongly agree that the E-rate program should include “support for comprehensive network security solutions.” As the FCC considers ways to include cybersecurity in the program, most participating schools and libraries said cybersecurity measures, such as next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, content or malware filtering, and domain name system security should also qualify for E-rate funding. Other findings from the Funds For Learning survey indicate ongoing signs the homework gap is closing, though still a prominent issue for most schools and libraries. Read more
October 6, 2023
It’s time to get ready to rally! Join us in Austin tomorrow
Help us show the governor and legislators that Texans don’t want vouchers for private schools but do want more funding for their public schools and raises for teachers and school support staff. Come and bring your family and friends to the “Boot vOUCHers” rally on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. on the south lawn of the state Capitol. The more people who attend, the louder our message.
Make your voice heard! RSVP here. Please share this information and link widely with your community, colleagues, family and friends and urge them to come to Austin with you.
October 5, 2023
Special session on vouchers will begin Monday; make your voice heard — attend the anti-voucher rally on Saturday in Austin!
Governor Abbott revealed the session’s opening date in a letter to legislative leaders, but as of this morning he still had not publicly issued the proclamation officially calling the session and laying out the issues he wants legislators to consider. We know vouchers will be on the agenda because he has been saying that for a long time. But we don’t know if he will include more funding for public schools and educator pay raises as well. The state has the money. The comptroller’s updated revenue estimate shows $18 billion remaining from the record $33 billion surplus with which lawmakers began the year, and there is almost $24 billion in the emergency Rainy Day Fund.
TSTA remains determined to convince legislators to kill vouchers in whatever form they are offered this session. Instead of wasting tax dollars on vouchers, lawmakers must increase funding for public schools and for educator pay raises. Average per-student funding for Texas schools is more than $4,000 below the national average, and Texas teachers are paid more than $7,700 less than their peers are nationally. Education funding must not be diverted to taxpayer-paid vouchers.
Make your voice heard on this issue! Come and bring your family and friends to the “Boot vOUCHers” rally on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. on the south lawn of the state Capitol. Help us show the governor and legislators that Texans don’t want vouchers for private schools but want more funding for their public schools and raises for teachers and school support staff. The more people who attend, the louder our message.
Make your voice heard! RSVP here. Please share this information and link widely with your community, colleagues, family and friends and urge them to come to Austin with you.
October 4, 2023
Overtime pay expansion could impact school districts
School districts may be required to provide overtime pay to more employees under a proposed federal rule. The rule, open for public comment until November 7th, would raise the minimum salary threshold for worker exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This could lead to additional expenses for school districts, along with additional requirements to track and document employee work hours. Employees like school nurses, athletic trainers, and librarians who were previously exempt from overtime requirements may now qualify under the new rule. National education organizations have requested more time to review and comment on the rule, as it will have a massive impact on the economy and millions of workers. The Biden administration’s proposal is similar to a 2016 rule by the Obama administration that was struck down before taking effect. The Labor Department estimates that 3.4m currently exempt workers across all industries would qualify for overtime pay under the new rule. Read more
October 3, 2023
Support for Houston ISD’s Spanish speakers has dwindled under state-appointed leader, parents say
More than a month since the Houston Independent School District started its first school year under state supervision and state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles, complaints have been piling up among Spanish-speaking families, who say they haven’t been receiving the support they need. Read more
October 2, 2023
Abbott announces new special session, likely focused on vouchers
Governor Greg Abbott has notified the Texas Legislature that a third special session will begin on October 9. Abbott’s letter to state lawmakers did not indicate the focus of this special session, but the governor has said repeatedly it would focus on public education, including the issues of school vouchers and public school funding. Read more
October 1, 2023
Brownsville becomes certified childhood vaccine provider
Brownsville ISD in Texas has been certified as a childhood vaccine provider, allowing them to administer required childhood immunizations at school. The district plans to hold clinics across the district to provide childhood immunizations, COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters, and flu vaccines. The immunizations are free under the Texas Vaccines for Children program. Previously, parents had to schedule doctor’s appointments for their children to receive the shots. BISD became a COVID-19 vaccine provider during the pandemic and aims to have healthier kids and minimize absences. The district has about 37,000 students and each school has a nurse who will notify parents about the clinics. Read more
September 29, 2023
Teacher pay penalty quadruples
In what should be a surprise to no one, teacher pay gets a failing grade in this country. Teacher pay is at its lowest level since 1960 and the pay penalty got worse in 2022. On average, last year teachers made 26.4% less than their peers with similar education. In fact, since 1996, the pay penalty for teachers—the gap between the weekly wages of teachers and college graduates working in other professions has more than quadrupled from 6.1 % to 26.4%.
Here’s what the teacher pay penalty means in dollars and cents:
- Today on average, teachers earn 73.6 cents for every dollar that their peers in other professions earn. In 1996, teachers made 93.9 cents for every dollar their peers in other fields made.
- Accounting for inflation, teacher weekly wages decreased by $128 from 2021 to 2022, from $1,457 to $1,329 (in 2022 dollars).
September 27, 2023
Texans prioritize teacher salaries and school funding
A new poll by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) reveals that Texans prioritize teacher salaries and funding for public schools. Seventy-three percent of Texans consider increasing teacher salaries extremely or very important, while 68% prioritize additional funding for public schools. More than half of all voters (56%) said they are aware of the Legislature’s recent efforts to create a voucher program. Of those, 50% said what they have seen, read, or heard about vouchers has made them less likely to support the program. Only 34% said they are more likely to support vouchers. Opposition against vouchers has increased across party lines and among different communities. The poll, conducted by Perception Insight, surveyed 800 registered voters in June. Among the respondents, 48% reported voting for Republicans, 35% preferred Democrats, and 17% voted independently.
September 26, 2023
Federal Government Shutdown: What it means
The House MAGA GOP is barreling toward a government shutdown on October 1, rolling out an extreme stopgap bill that is surely dead on arrival in the Senate. Government shutdowns are damaging to our families, public servants and the economy that we all depend on. These disruptions also hurt NEA members, like the educators who teach and support the children of our military families. Federal Education Association members will continue working during a shutdown, but they won’t be paid until the House GOP finds the courage and common sense to resolve this impasse. Students, parents and our members need stability and education investments, not more drama or draconian cuts. Contact your legislators
September 25, 2023
Texas lawmakers will have new money going into special session on education, comptroller says
When Texas lawmakers meet next month for a special session on funding public education, they will have more money available to them to spend than they anticipated when they passed the state’s $321.3 billion budget earlier this year, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Friday.
The rise in state revenue, driven largely by increasing insurance premiums, means there will be new funding opportunities to invest more money in public education, Hegar said, adding that he hoped the Legislature would focus some of the new money on teacher pay raises. Read more
September 23, 2023
Another study underlines rise in book bans
The number of bans and restrictions in the U.S. rose 33% in the last school year, according to a report by PEN America. The report found that 1,263 books were permanently removed from U.S. school libraries and classrooms, quadrupling from the previous year. The increase is even more alarming when considering only the books permanently removed. Efforts to ban books are being “supercharged” by coordinated pressure campaigns and punitive state laws. Recent polling meanwhile shows that a majority of Americans oppose book bans. The bans disproportionately came from Florida, which accounted for over 40% of the book bans. States like Texas, Missouri, and Utah also contributed to the majority of the bans. Read more
September 22, 2023
Whatever you call it, a voucher is a voucher
The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a big driver of Governor Greg Abbott’s voucher mania, is now claiming that an educational savings account (or ESA), the form of voucher that Abbott and the Senate tried to ram through the regular legislative session last spring, is not a voucher.
Anything that takes tax dollars to pay for private education expenses is a voucher. Period.
September 20, 2023
Governor pushes for school vouchers, threatens political consequences
Governor Greg Abbott has announced a special session on “school choice” legislation, warning lawmakers of political consequences if they obstruct the passage of publicly subsidized school vouchers. He stated that the session will begin next month and emphasized that the legislation will be pursued either through the special session or after the election. The governor’s remarks indicate an escalation of pressure on Texas House Republicans who have been blocking the proposal. Abbott expressed determination to pass the school choice proposal, which allows parents to use taxpayer funds to enroll their children in private schools, even though a coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans in the House has consistently opposed the idea. Read more
September 19, 2023
More districts join lawsuit against Texas Education Agency
More school districts are pushing back against the Texas Education Agency over changes in the TEA’s accountability ratings. More than 50 districts across the state are already part of a lawsuit that says the revisions to the report cards were not properly communicated to districts ahead of time so that they could prepare. On Monday, Hays, Prosper, Red Oak, and Richardson joined the lawsuit, which aims to prevent TEA from releasing scores that use the newest metrics. The districts argue that the new methods will dramatically decrease campus and district scores statewide. Read more
September 18, 2023
Austin parents want TEA deal rejected
Parents in Austin ISD are calling for the rejection of the Texas Education Agency’s proposed deal to fix the district’s special education crisis. The deal requires AISD to accept a monitor appointed by TEA, adopt a “Lone Star governance” model for board meetings, dedicate 50% of meetings to “student outcomes,” and complete evaluations of students seeking special education services by January 31. Read more
September 15, 2023
Texas voters concerned about future opportunities for children
A recent Texas Voter Poll conducted by Baselice & Associates for Texas 2036 reveals that nearly half of Texas voters believe that children today will have less opportunity to succeed than prior generations. This represents a 17-point increase from the previous poll. The poll also shows that 65% of Texas voters are concerned about the state’s future, with 96% agreeing that a strong public education system is important. Read more
September 14, 2023
Chronic absenteeism contributes to decline in test scores
Widespread increases in chronic absenteeism between the 2018-19 and 2021-22 school years are large enough that they could have substantially contributed to declines in post-pandemic test scores, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers. The agency, which advises the president on economic policy based on data and research, partnered with the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics to analyze latest scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which saw steep and worrisome declines in both math and reading for 4th and 8th graders. Read more
September 13, 2023
TEA delays school ratings as districts raise concerns
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced a delay in the release of its annual school ratings due to scoring changes that could negatively impact schools. The agency was due to release the ratings on September 28th, but now expects them to be released next month. The delay comes after months of complaints from school officials who believe the new accountability system would result in unfair drops in their ratings. TEA said it needs to make adjustments to account for changes in students’ academic performance after the pandemic. Read more
September 12, 2023
Masks are back on the table as COVID-19 fears resurface
A rise in COVID-19 cases and the approach of fall, when other respiratory illnesses start to spread, has revived discussion of how best to protect students and workers. Several schools across the country have restored temporary masking mandates or suspended classes in recent weeks because of COVID-19. School leaders want to boost attendance rates this year and are hesitant to implement any COVID-19 mitigation measures that would keep students home. Read more
September 11, 2023
TEA proposes alternative teacher appraisal
to TTESS Domain I
The proposed Alternate Domain I appraisal instrument was developed for the specific purpose of evaluating teachers who are using the “high quality instructional materials” that are being promoted by the education commissioner under a new state law. It would be used to appraise teachers on their ability to follow the scripts that come with these new materials.
A TSTA representative, along with teachers and administrators from districts that were piloting the new materials, served on the committee that developed this new alternative. TEA adopted some of the panel’s recommendations but ignored our feedback that the new system should not confine teachers to just following a script or using the canned curriculum.
TSTA and the committee believe new appraisals should allow an appraiser to recognize and give high points to a teacher who uses high-quality instructional materials even if the presentation isn’t exactly what is suggested by the curriculum. We also believe that better teaching (the highest two ratings of accomplished and distinguished) would more likely be adapting to the needs of students and not just following a script.
Read all of TSTA’s comments on the proposed appraisal alternative.
The School Year has Started Off Hot
Experts expect extreme summer heat to be more intense and last well past the prime summer months, which could lead to more challenging starts to the school year. Read more
September 8, 2023
Texas’ political environment driving faculty to leave, survey finds
After legislators passed laws banning diversity initiatives and targeting tenure at state universities, more than a quarter of the 1,900 Texas professors surveyed by faculty associations said they plan to look for positions out of state. Read more
September 7, 2023
TSTA and TSTA-Retired kick off campaign promoting Prop 9, the COLA amendment on the Nov ballot
Voter approval of this constitutional amendment is necessary for the TRS retirees’ cost-of-living adjustment approved by the Legislature last spring to go into effect. This financial relief is essential for retirees, many of whom have never received a COLA, are not eligible for Social Security and are struggling to make ends meet on modest TRS pensions.
No public school retiree since Sept. 1, 2004, has ever received a cost-of-living adjustment, while inflation has eroded their ability to purchase basic needs. Unlike Social Security, the TRS pension does not provide automatic COLAs. They must be approved by the Legislature, and this is the first one the Legislature has approved in years. Read more
September 6, 2023
Fort Worth ISD scales back Saturday learning program
A Fort Worth ISD program called Saturday Learning Quest has helped students regain ground in reading and math, according to district figures. However, with federal funding for pandemic recovery efforts set to run out, the district is scaling back the program and targeting it at the highest-needs campuses. The program, which offers extra instructional time in reading and math, as well as enrichment activities, has shown positive results for students who attended nine or more sessions. Read more
September 5, 2023
TSTA members are finalists for Teacher of the Year honors
Two of the three finalists for 2024 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year are TSTA members — Taniece Thompson-Smith, a fifth-grade science teacher in Abilene ISD, and Genesis Yougas, a pre-K Head Start teacher in McKinney ISD.
The annual Teacher of the Year competition, which also includes three finalists for Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year, is conducted by the Texas Association of School Administrators. The winners will be announced at an Oct. 20 awards ceremony in Round Rock.
Thompson-Smith, a member of Education Abilene, teaches at Abilene ISD’s Stafford Elementary, where she has been for the past two years of her 14-year career in education. She is a military spouse, who has taught in more than seven school districts across the U.S., Jamaica and Japan. She collaborates with community members and experts in the science field to design science-based experiential learning opportunities. She believes “each encounter with children must be transformational and awake a sense of curiosity or thirst for knowledge that only education can quench.”
Yougas, a member of the McKinney Education Association, has taught for the past three years at McKinney ISD’s Lawson Early Childhood School. She secured a grant through the McKinney Education Foundation in 2021 for inclusive play equipment. “As a teacher of a student with spina bifida, I saw a problem with accessible play equipment for children with disabilities,” she said. “Through this grant, I was able to secure inclusive play equipment for my campus that is available to all kids, including those who use walkers or have other health impairments…The small moments of pure joy bring teachable moments that allow students to feel safe, loved and connected.”
All the finalists were selected from the 40 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year.
September 1, 2023
Federal judge bars Texas from enforcing book rating law
A federal judge said Thursday he will stop a new Texas law purportedly aimed at keeping sexually explicit materials off of school library shelves on the eve of the law going into effect, according to state attorneys and lawyers for a group who sued over the proposal.
District Judge Alan D. Albright indicated during a hearing that he will grant a temporary injunction sought by a group of book groups and sellers, including two Texas bookstores, who sued the state over House Bill 900 in July, the group’s lawyers said in a statement. Albright will issue a written order in one to two weeks; in the meantime, the state cannot enforce the law, according to the statement. Read more
August 31, 2023
School safety, tutoring and hair: These are some of the new education laws that go into effect this year
Lawmakers failed to pass legislation on school vouchers or teacher raises this year, but they approved other education-related laws like an $800 million investment in high-quality instructional materials and new rules for students found vaping or using marijuana. Read more
August 30, 2023
Texas eighth graders will soon be required to learn about climate change — but not without a showdown over textbooks
Starting next year, Texas will require eighth graders to learn about climate change as part of a science curriculum overhaul from the State Board of Education. It’s not clear though which textbooks they will use. A Tuesday meeting shed light that the board could make the choice along partisan lines. The board plans to adopt instructional materials in November. Any Texas resident can submit written comments on the materials before Oct. 30.
August 29, 2023
Legal battle looms over Texas school library book law
Days before the effective date for a law that would significantly change how school districts acquire books for their libraries, book sellers and state agencies await a legal decision that could stop the new rule in its tracks. A U.S. district judge heard arguments Monday from lawyers for several Texas book sellers who have asked for a legal pause to House Bill 900, a new law that limits books with sexual content in school libraries.
The lawyers for the bookshops argued that the newly mandated rating system created an expensive, impossible burden for businesses, while state attorneys insisted the law wouldn’t infringe on the vendors’ rights. Read more
August 28, 2023
Texas ban on transition-related care for kids to go into effect despite legal fight
A Texas law banning transgender youth from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy will go into effect next week after the state attorney general’s office filed to block a judge’s temporary injunction against the legislation.
Texas lawmakers passed the ban during this year’s legislative session. Families of trans kids and doctors sued the state in July, hoping to block the law and arguing that the ban strips parents of their rights to make medical decisions for their children.
On Friday, state district court Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel issued a temporary injunction, which would have prevented the law from going into effect. But the Texas’ attorney general’s office responded by filing an appeal with the Texas Supreme Court.
The move automatically pauses Cantú Hexsel’s injunction and will allow the law to go into effect Sept. 1. Read more
August 25, 2023
Texas districts struggle with property valuation discrepancies
For decades, Texas school districts have faced financial issues due to discrepancies in property valuations. When state and county appraisers disagree, districts can end up with significant budget shortfalls. This issue is particularly affecting rural districts, where property values are often underestimated.
The Texas comptroller’s office has been double-checking property valuations to ensure fair distribution of state funding, but this has led to unintended consequences for districts like Alpine ISD. These districts receive less state funding because the comptroller’s office believes local property taxes will cover a larger portion of their budget, but they can only levy taxes based on lower property value estimates.
As a result, districts are struggling to balance their budgets and facing operational challenges. Lawmakers attempted to address the issue through a school finance proposal, but it ultimately failed. The situation is dire for districts like Alpine, Fort Davis ISD, and Orange Grove ISD, which are running out of money and unable to provide necessary resources for students and teachers.
The upcoming special session on education provides an opportunity for lawmakers to address these funding gaps and ensure equitable distribution of state funds. Read more
August 24, 2023
Texas chaplains oppose law allowing religious chaplains in schools
Opponents of a new law in Texas allowing unlicensed religious chaplains in schools have expressed concerns about the injection of Christianity into the public school system. Over 100 Texas chaplains have signed an open letter urging school districts not to allow the chaplains, describing the law as “harmful” to students. The law, which will be enacted on September 1, allows individual school districts to employ or accept chaplains as volunteers to provide support for students. Read more
August 23, 2023
Pflugerville ISD joins lawsuit against Texas Education Association
Pflugerville ISD has joined a coalition of school districts in Texas suing the Texas Education Association (TEA) over changes to its accountability ratings system. The rating change would raise the bar for measuring college, career, and military readiness, which some district officials argue could harm the reputation of public schools. Superintendent Doug Killian criticized the timing of the rating system reset, calling it unfair to staff and students. Joining the lawsuit could cost the district between $6,500 and $21,000. Previously, districts could receive an A rating if 60% of students were deemed ready for college or a career, but the TEA plans to increase that threshold to 88%. The changes have raised concerns among 250 Texas school districts, who fear a significant drop in state-rated scores for high schools. Read more
August 22, 2023
PragerU expands reach into Texas schools
PragerU, a conservative media outlet, plans to expand its reach into Texas public schools, but state education officials have stated that the nonprofit has not been approved as a vendor. PragerU offers alternative educational videos that have been criticized for whitewashing history and promoting misleading narratives. While Florida recently approved the use of PragerU videos in classrooms, Texas education officials claim they have not voted on the matter. Read more
August 21, 2023
Medicaid ‘unwinding’ explained for families in school toolkit
A new toolkit for school administrators issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services this month asserts that school districts are in a “unique position” to help children and their families retain their Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program benefits as the programs transition from pandemic-era automatic renewals. K-12 and early childhood educators, administrators, staff and parent-teacher associations can help families be aware of the change in public health policy through letters, robocalls, text messages, social media and other communications, the toolkit says. Read more
August 20, 2023
Only ‘modest gains’ seen from summer school programs
A new study on summer school’s impact on student learning during the pandemic reveals that while math scores improved for students who attended summer school in 2022, there were no improvements in reading. The study, considered the most comprehensive analysis to date, suggests that catch-up efforts are paying off to some extent but may not be enough to fully recover students to their pre-pandemic trajectories. The gains made in summer school were modest, and with only a fraction of students attending, it had a limited impact on overall learning loss. Read more
August 19, 2023
Houston ISD leads Texas with $166m special ed funding shortfall
Houston ISD spent $166m more on special education than it received in state funding between 2020 and 2022, the largest budget gap of any Texas district, according to data from the Texas Education Agency. In all, nearly half of the state’s roughly 1,200 public school districts and charter school organizations spent more on special education than the state gave them. Besides Houston, larger districts were among those with the biggest deficits, including Dallas ISD, Northside ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Katy ISD and Austin ISD. The total deficit across all districts in the 2021-22 school year was about $2.3bn. Read more
August 18, 2023
Frisco ISD claims exception to new armed officer law
Frisco ISD’s board has claimed a good cause exception from a new state law that requires armed officers on each campus during school hours, citing a lack of available qualified officers. The law, which goes into effect on September 1st, allows school boards to claim an exception due to funding or personnel shortages. Read more
August 17, 2023
Despite post-pandemic improvements, STAAR scores show Texas students are still struggling with math and reading
Although standardized test scores among Texas students have improved since the pandemic, more than half of Texas public school students are still struggling with math and reading, according to newly released data on spring test scores. Read more
August 16, 2023
Updating school nutrition standards could save thousands of lives
As the US Department of Agriculture considers final rules to gradually tighten school nutrition guidance, a recent study has found that updating K-12 nutrition standards for added sugars, sodium and whole grain would improve children’s diets, blood pressure and body mass index. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, if schools implemented new nutrition standards aligned with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the change would “modestly reduce” the amount of added sugars and sodium children eat, while also increasing their whole grain consumption. The study also found that 10,600 deaths per year tied to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer could be prevented in the long term if school meal standards matched current national dietary guidelines. On top of that, the study claims, the move would save $19.3bn in annual health care costs in adulthood. Read more
August 14, 2023
School cafeterias under increasing pressure
Schools across the country are being pushed to hike the cost of breakfasts and lunches for kids this fall. On top of rising inflation and the end of the short-lived boost in additional federal subsidies for every school meal, the federal government could soon force schools to serve healthier meals with less salt and sugar, which could make them even more expensive to prepare and serve. Many who work to serve kids meals say it’s a noble pursuit “at odds with reality” based on the already challenging financial climate. Read more
August 13, 2023
Houston ISD’s state accountability rating expected to drop
Houston ISD’s state accountability rating is likely to drop this year after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) overhauls how it evaluates campuses. The new updates make it harder for schools to earn a higher grade by raising the bar to achieve top scores in certain fields and implementing other changes to the scoring methodology. State-installed HISD superintendent Mike Miles stated that the district’s overall letter grade would decrease from a B to a C if the new criteria were applied to last year’s data. More than half of high schools would also see a decreased letter grade under the new criteria. The changes include raising the threshold for college, career, and military readiness scores, which will affect schools’ rankings. Miles plans to decrease the number of schools awarded a D or F rating and raise the rating by a grade for struggling campuses. HISD will also focus on increasing the percentage of graduates attending college and updating Career and Technical Education programs. Read more
August 11, 2023
Students missing school at alarming rates
Nationwide, students have been absent at record rates since schools reopened after COVID-forced closures. More than a quarter of students missed at least 10% of the 2021-22 school year, making them chronically absent. An estimated 6.5m additional students became chronically absent, with absences more prevalent among Latino, Black, and low-income students. Chronic absenteeism has devastating long-term consequences, hindering learning and increasing the risk of dropping out. Read more
August 9, 2023
Texas book ban just days away
Through the passage of HB 900, as of September 1, book vendors servicing public schools are now required to submit a list of library materials with a rating system indicating “sexually relevant” or “sexually explicit” content to the Texas Education Agency by April 1, 2024. We are closely following the lawsuit filed by booksellers and First Amendment advocates seeking to overturn the book ban. In the meantime, here is an explainer and timeline on the new law.
August 8, 2023
Legal tussle over first publicly-funded religious charter school could have wider consequences
A legal battle is underway in Oklahoma over the approval of St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic School, the first publicly-funded religious charter school in the country. The school, set to go online in 2024, is already facing legal challenges as the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee has filed a lawsuit to block taxpayer funds from being used. The controversy raises questions about the separation of church and state in public education. Read more
August 7, 2023
Houston ISD might drop to a C-rated district this year — the state is mostly to blame
Upcoming changes to the state’s academic accountability system will result in lower grades for districts across the state, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles warned last week. Houston ISD’s school ratings will take a hit this year, with their overall grade potentially falling from a B to a C, Miles said. Read more
August 4, 2023
UHCL mentoring collaborative tackles teacher shortage
Being an educator can be a challenging and thankless job. And the high percentage of teachers considering leaving the profession within their first five years raises concerns.
The Texas Association of School Boards reports that low pay and underfunding are among the reasons, but the feeling of being undervalued and unsupported is also a major factor.
In response to the shortage of teachers and to provide a solution to these issues, professors in the College of Education at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) have devised a mentoring collaborative to offer progressive and responsive support to new teachers. Read more
August 3, 2023
Texas A&M University settles $1m lawsuit with Black journalism professor
Texas A&M University has reached a $1m settlement with Kathleen McElroy, a Black journalism professor, following a botched attempt to hire her. The university admitted to making mistakes during the hiring process and apologized to Ms. McElroy. Initially, Texas A&M had welcomed McElroy, a former New York Times editor, to revive the school’s journalism department. Ms. McElroy told the Texas Tribune last month that soon after her hiring, she learned of emerging internal pushback from then-unidentified individuals over her past work to improve diversity and inclusion in newsrooms. Read more
August 2, 2023
Houston ISD seeks waiver to hire non-certified teachers
Houston ISD is seeking a waiver from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to hire non-certified teachers. The district aims to fill teaching roles despite the lack of necessary certifications. With over 800 teachers resigning from March to July 2023, HISD is facing a significant shortage. The TEA waiver would allow the district to bring in individuals without teacher certifications to address the gaps. Michelle Williams, a teacher with the Houston Education Association, suggests the district should call for retired teachers and utilize Superintendent Mike Miles’s staff instead. Read more
August 1, 2023
Equity concerns shadow rising special education student numbers
The number of students in special education in the United States has doubled over the past four decades, reaching more than seven million in the 2021-22 school year. These students now make up 15% of the K-12 student population, nearly double what it was in the late 1970s. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all students with disabilities to receive free appropriate public education. However, while the number of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) has increased, special education teacher shortages have also grown, putting a strain on services. Read more
July 31, 2023
Del Valle Schools to spend more than $1m on armed officers
The Del Valle School District will spend more than $1m to hire 10 employees, including armed officers and a security coordinator, to comply with a new state law. House Bill 3 requires school districts to assign an armed officer to every campus. The district already employs 12 armed security officers, but the new law necessitates additional hires. While the district will receive some state funding, it is estimated to be far less than the amount needed. The district plans to use its general revenue to fulfill the law’s requirements. The board members expressed concerns about the law’s implementation and emphasized the importance of hiring quality employees. The new law was prompted by a school shooting in 2022. Failure to comply with the law could result in the Texas Education Agency assigning a conservator to oversee the district. Read more
July 30, 2023
HISD’s Miles will convert some libraries into discipline areas, eliminate librarians
The Houston school district will eliminate librarians and media specialists from 85 schools and convert the former library spaces into “team centers,” where students who misbehave will be sent to watch lessons virtually and others can work alone or in groups for differentiated instruction. It’s the latest in reforms launched by Texas Education Agency-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. Read more
July 26, 2023
Booksellers sue to stop Texas law restricting ‘sexually explicit’ content
A coalition of Texas bookstores and national bookseller associations filed suit on Tuesday over House Bill 900, which aims to ban sexually explicit material from school libraries. Plaintiffs in the suit include two Texas bookstores, Austin’s BookPeople and West Houston’s Blue Willow Bookshop, as well as the American Booksellers Association, the Association of American Publishers, the Authors Guild and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. They are suing defendants Martha Wong, chair of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; Keven Ellis, chair of the Texas State Board of Education; and Mike Morath, commissioner of the Texas Education Agency. Read more
July 25, 2023
Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Dan Patrick in lecture
The professor, an expert on the opioids crisis, was placed on paid administrative leave and investigated, raising questions about the extent of political interference in higher education, particularly in health-related matters. Read more
July 20, 2023
DOE review will forgive debt of some borrowers
About 64,000 Texas borrowers will have their federal student loans forgiven following a US Department of Education review that identified “administrative failures” and 804,000 borrowers whose loans were taken more than two decades ago and should’ve been canceled. Read more
July 19, 2023
Brazosport implements teacher apprenticeship program
Last August Brazosport ISD launched a unique “teacher apprenticeship” program that allows aspiring teachers to earn a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification, at no cost to themselves. In return, the teachers have to work in the district for at least three years. The plan includes a paid residency program in which apprentices are paired with a teacher mentor and work with them in a classroom for a full school year. Read more
July 17, 2023
Republicans propose big cuts to Title 1 funding
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives want to dramatically cut funding for Title I, the long-running federal program that sends money to schools based on the number of children from low-income families that they serve. A bill advanced by a Republican-controlled House subcommittee seeks to cut Title I grants by 80% or nearly $15bn. Read more
July 12, 2023
Bill introduced to fully fund special education
US Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and US Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) have now formally introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act. This legislation would ensure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under IDEA, the federal government committed to pay 40% of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. read more
July 11, 2023
NEA’s annual representative assembly examined
During the National Education Association’s annual representative assembly, educators debated and voted on measures that will shape the future of the teachers’ union. The assembly also approved the union’s budget, which reflects a membership decline. The NEA expects a 1.2% decrease in full-time equivalent members in the upcoming fiscal year. The decline is driven by reductions in teachers and education support professionals. read more
July 10, 2023
Texas schools battling to pay teacher raises
Texas lawmakers ended this year’s regular legislative session without giving public schools any money for employee raises — so school districts are finding ways to give their workers modest raises, even if it means digging into their savings accounts. Read more
July 7, 2023
New student loan repayment plan could bring savings
As Texans with college loans are expected to begin or resume making payments later this year in October, other changes are planned for this summer that can help reduce monthly payments, stop interest accruals and forgive debts after 10 to 25 years.
Here’s what you need to know about the updated federal income-driven loan repayment program:
- The revamped program, now coined the Saving on a Valuable Education plan, or SAVE, will set monthly payments as a percentage of the borrower’s income, rather than the amount owed.
- Under the plan, a single undergraduate borrower earning $60,000 a year, would have a discretionary income of about $27,195. The borrower would use 5% of that amount, $1,360, to pay back their loan, making their monthly payment $113. If this amount doesn’t cover the interest they owe each month, their total debt wouldn’t decrease but wouldn’t increase either. If the loan isn’t fully repaid in 20 years, the remainder would be canceled.
- Borrowers with a federal direct loan would be allowed to apply. Federal direct loans are a loan provided directly by the U.S. Department of Education and include Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans and Direct Consolidation Loans.
Other repayment alternatives include the Pay As You Earn plan (PAYE), the Income-Based Repayment plan (IBR), and the Income-Contingent Repayment plan (ICR). Each plan differs in who can apply, the monthly payment calculation and loan forgiveness terms. Read more
July 6, 2023
Austin ISD to install solar panels at 16 more schools
Austin ISD is on track to install solar panels on 16 more schools thanks to a $14.95m grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Austin is the only school district in Texas that was chosen to receive a grant from the department as part of its Renew America’s Schools program. It has already implemented solar rooftop panels at 14 of its facilities—13 schools and the Performing Arts Center. AISD officials said each of those panels is capable of producing 2 megawatts of energy—enough to power 230 homes. Read more
July 5, 2023
Book vendors uncomfortable with Texas schoolbook law
Book vendors selling to Texas public schools, ranging from national sellers like Amazon to local bookstores with eight employees, must now rate all the books they sell based on sexual content, according to new legislation signed into law last month. The law’s primary author, Republican Texas State Rep. Jared Patterson, said the law aims to ensure that school libraries do not carry sexually explicit content. However, the job of rating the books falls on book vendors. Read more
July 3, 2023
New efforts to forgive student loans launched following Supreme Court decision
The US Supreme Court has struck down the Biden administration’s plan to eliminate as much as $20,000 in federal student debt for millions of borrowers. The forgiveness plan would have wiped away an estimated $430bn in loans from the government’s books. Once payments resume, the typical student-loan payment will be between $210 and $314 a month, according to Wells Fargo. Overall, more than 40m borrowers would have qualified for loan forgiveness through a required application. Biden said he would launch a new effort to forgive student loans on a large scale using a different legal authority than the one that the Supreme Court blocked. The wider Biden administration meanwhile has undertaken an overhaul of how borrowers pay off their loans, revamping income-based repayment programs and rewriting accountability regulations for for-profit schools. Read more
July 2, 2023
TEA to release new scores with widespread changes
The Texas Education Agency is set to release new scores with widespread changes, including a more difficult metric for assessing college, career, or military readiness. District leaders are concerned that the new formula will give the impression that schools are worse, even if their performance remains the same or improves. The changes could lead to erroneous conclusions when analyzing letter grades between the 2022 and 2023 school years. To address this, TEA will publish “what if” scores for 2022 alongside the 2023 grades. A major change is coming for the high school evaluations, with the standard for college, career, and military readiness being raised from 60% to 88%. Read more
July 1, 2023
Supreme Court rejects Biden student loan forgiveness plan
The Supreme Court on Friday said President Biden does not have authority for his roughly $400 billion dollar to forgive student loan debt, the latest blow from a Supreme Court that has been dismissive of this administration’s bold claims of power.
The vote was 6 to 3 along ideological lines, with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. writing for the court’s dominant conservatives. Read more
