Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 11, 2026

The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments. ATPE members: Share your thoughts and ask our lobby team questions in The Rotunda on the ATPE Online Community.

• ATPE remembers 9/11
• Comptroller requests doubling or quadrupling voucher funding
• TRS issues statement on false election information circulating online
• State Board of Education approves controversial social studies standards
• Make note of these key 2026 election dates
• Use your teacher voice with ATPE’s advocacy tools

9/11: ATPE joins all Americans in remembering the lives lost and lasting impact of the 9/11 terror attacks, 25 years ago today. This defining moment for our nation is one that our current students and even some of our newest Texas educators recognize as history rather than a lived memory. Sept. 11 is officially recognized as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, and we invite you to visit the Teachers Lounge in the ATPE Online Community and share how you have approached 9/11 and the theme of service this week.

LBB: On Wednesday, a joint committee received Legislative Appropriations Requests (LARs) from the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) voucher program in advance of the 2027 legislative session. The comptroller’s office is requesting an increase in TEFA/voucher funding of 200% to 400%. TRS presented information about the increase in its current funding period due to the impact of HB 2 pay raises passed in 2025. Read more in this blog post from ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave.

TRS: The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) issued the following statement Tuesday: Some social media posts currently circulating about a TRS cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) being on the ballot this November are outdated. The posts reference Proposition 9 from the November 2023 election, which Texas voters already approved. Eligible retirees began receiving the permanent COLA in January 2024, and there is no current ballot measure or vote scheduled in November 2026 regarding Proposition 9. Retirees and members are encouraged to verify information. Current information about retiree benefit enhancements is available on the TRS website at: 2023 TRS Retiree Benefit Enhancements | Teacher Retirement System of Texas

SBOE: The State Board of Education wrapped up its August/September meeting Sept. 4 by approving a controversial rewrite of the state’s high school social studies standards and a new personal financial literacy course. One of the biggest points of contention in the revised standards was the treatment of Islam and the early Islamic world in the World History standards. The standards require students to study the Prophet Muhammad’s military campaigns and Islam’s ties to slavery, as well as the connection between radical Islamic movements and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave recaps the SBOE meeting in this blog post.

VOTING: As you know from the airwaves and your social media, election season is in full swing. Mark the following dates on your calendar:

Learn more in this Texas election deadline post here on Teach the Vote.

MEMBER ADVOCACY: Even when the Legislature’s not in session, we urge you to stay informed and engaged. Here are a few advocacy resources to check out:  

• ATPE Mobile App: Check out the new ATPE Mobile App to conveniently access member benefits and advocacy tools.   
• Advocacy Central: Get in touch with your elected officials about the legislation impacting your profession.   
• Judy: Chat with ATPE’s AI assistant for Texas educators, ready to help you with all things ATPE and all things #txed.    
• ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP): Enroll in ATPE-MAP to earn state-level and local-level advocacy microcredentials, as well as earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit. ATPE-MAP is included in your member benefits, so be sure to check it out today.     
• The Rotunda: Don’t forget, members, that you can interact with your ATPE lobby team throughout the week when you log in to the ATPE Online Community.