Bob Pepalis News
TRS records positive trends despite pandemic's effects
The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas is meeting its expected trajectory, which was called “kind of amazing” considering the pandemic’s effects on the economy.
Math, science teachers eligible for $10,000 award through PAEMST program
Math and science teachers must sign up or be nominated to apply for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program by March 1.
Texas school districts fail to properly protect students, family, staff from COVID-19
Failures by Texas school districts to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines number in the hundreds, according to members of the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA), which the organization said backs their worries about the safety of students, their families and school employees.
Paxton asks Texas Supreme Court to rule teachers' union has no authority over schools
The Texas Supreme Court on Aug. 16 stayed a trial court’s temporary restraining order that stopped teachers from having to return to Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District campuses for training on Aug. 14, ruling against the wishes of a teacher’s union.
Texas senator asks Agriculture secretary to continue school lunch waiver programs
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue received a request to continue the use of flexibilities in the school nutrition and lunch programs in the 2020-2021 school year by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
Teachers' group demands Abbott keep Texas schools closed, require remote learning
The Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) demanded that Gov. Greg Abbott issue an order to keep school buildings closed and have classes held remotely until it’s safe to reopen.
Paxton tells Texas religious schools they can make reopening decisions
Religious private schools in Texas may make their own decisions on reopening for in-person instruction, Attorney General Ken Paxton said.
Texas judge agrees school employees must be consulted before charter takeover
A victory by the Texas State Teachers Association in court confirms that employees at struggling public school campuses must be consulted before their school district turns over control to a charter school chain.
Gov. Abbott needs to slow down school reopening plans, Texas teachers warn
Greg Abbott wants to rush to reopen schools when the peak of COVID-19 cases isn’t in sight, the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) warned.
Texas teachers want specific reopening guidelines from health care professionals
Texas leaders telling school districts they should open this fall for in-person instruction without following state health care professionals’ advice and metrics for COVID-19 cases worries the Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA).
Texas school administrators group adds training opportunities
The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) expanded its training opportunities to add the Executive Leadership Institute and the Principals’ Institute.
TEA partners with speech pathology tech firm for remote therapy
A partnership between the Texas Education Association (TEA) and a company that provides speech pathology technology will serve 10,000 students with special education needs.
PBS stations devote hours of air time to Texas students' education
Texas PBS stations set aside hours of daily programming time to air educational programming aligned with the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Texas schools consider different grading systems with COVID-19
School officials may consider new grading policies with the shift to remote learning, but that doesn’t stop the need for education.