Latest News
ATPE outlines expectations for 87th Texas legislative session
The Association of Texas Professional Educators has outlined what people can expect in the 87th Texas legislative session that will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Capitol in Austin.
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.
District court thwarts bid to remove Houston ISD board
An effort to remove the Houston ISD School Board was overruled in district court, a result that drew the approval of the Houston Federation of Teachers which represents the district’s educators.
OP-ED: Education innovations are coming fast
The COVID-19 crisis has changed many aspects of American society, and perhaps none more than public education. While more than 56 million students should be enrolled in the nation’s public and private K-12 schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, huge numbers of those students in every state are still being forced to learn from home.
Dr. Roger Billings, Chairman, Acellus Learning System Dec 30, 2020
Texas AFT disagrees with TEA's reasoning to use STAAR testing
This year, STAAR testing won't be used for the A-F rankings, the Texas Education Agency said, but Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) remains concerned on whether or not the tests will be administered as all.
TSTA asks TEA to cancel STAAR testing
The Texas State Teachers Association has written a letter asking the Texas Education Agency to cancel STAAR testing instead of using it to measure the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on education, which adds more stress to parents and students.
STAAR testing protocol still on, Teachers for Texas director says 'it is almost certain that the students will do exceptionally poorly' on tests this year
The A-F ratings of schools have been suspended for the school year by the TEA, but the academic accountability ratings of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) requirement will continue, according to a Texas Education Agency (TEA) press release.
Abbott releases $420 million for Texas educators
Gov. Greg Abbott awarded $420 million to school districts across the state of Texas through funds provided by the CARES Act, according to an Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) press release.
Texas AFT wants school employees added to COVID-19 vaccine priority list
The Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) wants to ensure teachers and school employees are on the list to receive initial offerings of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Op-ed: We don't need STAAR to tell us what we already know: Students are behind this year.
On Thursday, Dec. 10, the TEA announced that they will suspend the A-F accountability system for schools in the state of Texas due to COVID-19. They would however, still administer the STAAR test to students to check their progress and see how much damage had been done by the pandemic, subsequent lockdowns, and virtual learning regimes.
Travis Institute of Educational Policy COVID-19 survey results: 'We believe that districts and the state need to do better for the students and teachers'
The Travis Institute of Educational Policy reported survey results regarding the role of COVID-19 in the current education environment.
Legislators seeking STAAR cancellation receive TSTA approval
The President of the TX State Teacher’s Association (TSTA) Ovidia Molina issued a statement regarding TSTA support over cancellation of STAAR testing for this year.
Students in Texas schools increasingly failing in virtual learning settings
More children are failing at least one class during the first few weeks of school than in previous years.
The difference one person can make
Despite the current environment of contentious politics, teachers can still make a significant difference in the kind of voters and citizens who will make the decisions of tomorrow.
San Antonio teacher receives leadership award
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) member Adrian Reyna, a U.S. history teacher at Longfellow Middle School in San Antonio, was recently recognized by Humanities Texas with the organization’s Julius Glickman Educational Leadership Award.
Students struggle with remote learning; some schools ‘gift’ passing grades
Remote learning is failing millions of Texas students and a solution being utilized by some schools isn’t the answer, according to Tera Collum, founder and CEO of The Travis Institute of Educational Policy.
Abbott and TX join CyberStart America
Gov. Abbott has decided that the state of TX will join the CyberStart America program, sponsored by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) along with the SANS Institute.
Leading from the heart: actually getting into the core of your team to help guide them
As leaders in academic environments, the COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges that are both common and unique.
Teachers association states raises given against budget constraints are still not enough
After educators across the state recently received pay raises in the midst of the state’s budget problems from the economic crisis created by COVID-19 restrictions, the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) issued a statement to remind that the state is behind the national average.