Here are highlights of this week's education news, courtesy of the ATPE Governmental Relations team:

• SBEC discusses certification rules
• Tuesday is your last chance to register to vote!

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) is meeting today in Austin. The board's agenda includes revisiting a new certification rule that was recently vetoed by the State Board of Education and beginning a periodic review of the requirements for certification as a superintendent in Texas. ATPE Lobbyist Kate Kuhlmann is at the meeting and has provided this report on today's discussions.

Tuesday, Oct. 9, is the deadline to register to vote in the November 2018 general election. With statistics showing that Texas ranks dead last in the country for voter turnout, and with educators in other states making headlines by running for office and voting to oust elected officials who don't support public schools, now is the time for Texas educators to make a big showing at the polls. The November general election will determine who holds such critical offices as Texas governor, lieutenant governor, and numerous seats in the state legislature and SBOE. Races for the Texas House will help determine who becomes our next House Speaker, and the people elected will be empowered to make crucial decisions that affect your paycheck, your working conditions, and most importantly, your students.

If you aren't yet registered to vote, simply fill out an application and drop it in the mail no later than Tuesday. Not sure if you're registered? Find out here. If you're already registered, do you part to help others know about Tuesday's deadline. Make sure your friends, family members, and even eligible students are registered to vote by Tuesday.

Once your registration is secure, the next step is to learn about the candidates who'll be on your ballot. Our candidate profiles right here on Teach the Vote allow you to research all legislators' voting records, the candidates' responses to our survey on education issues, and more to help you make informed choices at the polls. If the candidates in your area haven't answered our ATPE Candidate Survey, please encourage them to contact us. It's a great tool for sharing their education views with voters.