2020
2020
A status report on House Bill 3: Special Education Funding
Date Posted: 12/31/2020
ATPE is taking a look at implementation of key elements of last session's House Bill 3, including funding for special education.
A status report on House Bill 3: Educator Employment, Certification, and Training
Date Posted: 12/30/2020
ATPE is taking a look at implementation of key elements of last session's House Bill 3, including provisions affecting the education profession.
A status report on House Bill 3: Educator Compensation
Date Posted: 12/29/2020
ATPE is taking a look at implementation of key elements of last session's House Bill 3, including educator compensation provisions.
Teach the Vote’s Holiday Week in Review for Dec. 23, 2020
Date Posted: 12/23/2020
ATPE Governmental Relations shares an update on significant education news developments this week at the state and federal level.
Congress passed a coronavirus relief bill that the president may not sign
Date Posted: 12/23/2020
Congress finally passed a coronavirus relief package after months of negotiations. Will the president sign it into law?
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Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Dec. 18, 2020
Date Posted: 12/18/2020
This week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team for Dec. 18, 2020.
Governor Abbott discusses vaccine distribution in Texas
Date Posted: 12/17/2020
The governor discussed COVID-19 vaccines at a morning press conference, expressing hope that teachers will be vaccinated early.
TEA seeks nominations for School Librarian and Reading Specialist advisory committees
Date Posted: 12/16/2020
Educators on two advisory committees will advise state regulators on certification standards for School Librarians and Reading Specialists.
ATPE asks governor to extend “hold harmless” protections for school funding
Date Posted: 12/16/2020
ATPE joins other education groups seeking to extend school funding protections due to COVID-19.
Teach the Vote has a brand-new look
Date Posted: 12/15/2020
Since 2012, ATPE’s Teach the Vote has been a go-to resource for the Texas public education community, providing an issues-focused look at candidates’ and officeholders’ stances on education issues.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Dec. 11, 2020
Date Posted: 12/11/2020
Read this week’s education news, including a big accountability announcement, final 2020 meetings for a few state boards, coronavirus developments, session preparations, and more.
Highlights of the December 2020 TRS meeting
Date Posted: 12/11/2020
The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees met Dec. 9-11, 2020.
SBEC discusses certification amid COVID-19 and other topics at its December meeting
Date Posted: 12/11/2020
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) held a virtual meeting Friday, December 11, 2020.
State waives A-F accountability ratings for 2020-21
Date Posted: 12/10/2020
ATPE responds to TEA's announcement that schools will be "not rated" in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
Countdown to Science of Teaching Reading changes
Date Posted: 12/09/2020
New Science of Teaching Reading (STR) requirements for educator certification take effect in January 2021.
ATPE and Coalition for Public Schools address talk of vouchers as legislative session nears
Date Posted: 12/08/2020
ATPE and other members of Coalition for Public Schools share concerns about vouchers.
A roundup of ATPE's latest advocacy efforts regarding COVID-19
Date Posted: 12/08/2020
As the Texas education community deals with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, ATPE continues to advocate for its members and students.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Dec. 4, 2020
Date Posted: 12/04/2020
As we roll on toward the end of the year, stay on top of the education news with this week's highlights from ATPE Governmental Relations.
ATPE’s statement on COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans
Date Posted: 12/03/2020
Read ATPE's response to plans for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas budget forecast improves despite coronavirus losses
Date Posted: 12/01/2020
Despite “historic declines,” state lawmakers will have more money to work with in the upcoming legislative session than Comptroller Glenn Hegar expected over the summer, he said Monday.
Happy Thanksgiving
Date Posted: 11/26/2020
We wish you a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.
What will a Biden presidency mean for education?
Date Posted: 11/24/2020
Much speculation has surfaced on what a Biden presidency will mean for education, especially in light of a Congress that will likely be divided.
SBOE wraps up November meeting with goodbyes
Date Posted: 11/20/2020
The State Board of Education (SBOE) met Friday, November 20, to conclude its week-long meeting with a final vote on revisions to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for health, physical education, and science.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas families say remote learning isn't working and they want it fixed
Date Posted: 11/20/2020
Almost midway through the school year, it has become increasingly clear that virtual learning is failing a sizable number of Texas public school students whose parents decided to keep them home as COVID-19 grips the state.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Nov. 20, 2020
Date Posted: 11/20/2020
ATPE wishes every Teach the Vote reader a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Take a break from meal-planning to read this week's education news highlights from ATPE Governmental Relations.
Texas schools may access federal funds to reimburse remote learning costs
Date Posted: 11/19/2020
Earlier this year Congress passed the CARES Act to provide pandemic relief funds to individuals, as well as K-12 schools.
SBOE Update: Board seeks more authority over charter expansion, ATPE advances Master Teacher rule fix
Date Posted: 11/19/2020
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is meeting this week for the last time this calendar year.
ATPE commends legislators for joining the push for STAAR waivers
Date Posted: 11/18/2020
Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), joined by 67 of his Texas House colleagues, sent a letter to the Texas commissioner of education today calling for the cancellation of this school year's STAAR tests.
SBOE presses commissioner over STAAR
Date Posted: 11/18/2020
Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath addressed the State Board of Education (SBOE) Wednesday morning at the board's November meeting.
ATPE releases report on educator experiences during COVID-19
Date Posted: 11/18/2020
Educators find themselves in an “impossible situation” as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the state of Texas and are increasingly dissatisfied with state and district leadership’s handling of the crisis.
A bill to eliminate TRS healthcare plans: Crazy genius or just plain crazy?
Date Posted: 11/17/2020
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Rep. Ken King (R-Hemphill) pre-filed HB 430, a bill that aims to eliminate the healthcare plans currently administered by TRS for active and retired educators in Texas.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Nov. 13, 2020
Date Posted: 11/13/2020
From COVID-19 to Social Security and everything in between, check out this week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team on this Friday the 13th.
Senate Education Committee discusses virtual schools, special education, and COVID-19
Date Posted: 11/13/2020
The Senate Education Committee met Friday, November 13, at the Texas Capitol to discuss an agenda including digital learning, special education, House Bill (HB) 3, and state assessments.
Texas election roundup: The final tally
Date Posted: 11/12/2020
Texas has begun canvassing the votes for the 2020 general election, the process by which counties certify the official votes and open the window for any challenges or recounts.
From The Texas Tribune: A presentation on public education in rural Texas
Date Posted: 11/11/2020
This week The Texas Tribune is hosting a free, online symposium on "The Future of Rural Texas."
ATPE again urges state officials to waive student testing requirements during COVID-19
Date Posted: 11/11/2020
ATPE sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott November 11 seeking relief for Texas public schools as they face rigid testing and accountability requirements while still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full results of the 2020 general election in Texas
Date Posted: 11/10/2020
The results are in for the Texas House, Texas Senate, and State Board of Education (SBOE) races on the ballot in last week's general election.
From the Texas Tribune: A handful of battleground races in Texas remain unsettled after Election Day
Date Posted: 11/10/2020
A few battleground races in Texas are still not fully settled as the current runner-up holds off on conceding, waiting to see more votes get counted.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Nov. 6, 2020
Date Posted: 11/06/2020
It's been a long week, but the election isn't the only thing happening. Catch up with these news highlights from ATPE Governmental Relations.
ATPE criticizes state's response to local COVID-19 issues
Date Posted: 11/05/2020
On Monday, November 2, ATPE Executive Director Shannon Holmes sent a letter to Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath to complain about the state's recent handling of certain local COVID-19 issues.
Texas 2020 election recap: What we know so far
Date Posted: 11/04/2020
After one of the most unusual campaign seasons we've ever experienced, the 2020 election is finally (mostly) in the books!
Today Is the Day: Election 2020
Date Posted: 11/02/2020
November 3—Election Day—is finally here. Today is the last day to make your voice heard through your vote.
Congressional leaders file retirement bill, but fail to address the WEP
Date Posted: 10/30/2020
On Tuesday, U.S. Congressmen Richard Neal (D-Mass.) and Kevin Brady (R-TX) filed the bipartisan "Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020," directed at helping more Americans save for their future.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 30, 2020
Date Posted: 10/30/2020
From ATPE Governmental Relations, here are this week's spooky news highlights in the education world.
State issues report on educator compensation increases under HB 3
Date Posted: 10/30/2020
Gov. Greg Abbott and TEA released a new 2019-20 compensation report this week showing the pay increases teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses received as a result of last session's HB 3.
Texas election roundup: The final countdown
Date Posted: 10/29/2020
There are just five days left before Election Day, and it's becoming clearer by the hour that every single vote will matter in this historic election.
ATPE and others recommend changing the state's charter application process
Date Posted: 10/28/2020
Following immediately on the heels of the approval of the latest round of new charter school operators, TEA is looking to finalize its Generation 26 Charter Operator Application Process.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 23, 2020
Date Posted: 10/23/2020
Here are this week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Less than two weeks remaining!
Date Posted: 10/23/2020
Early voting continues through Friday, October 30, with Election Day on November 3.
Abbott, TEA launch voucher program for students with disabilities
Date Posted: 10/22/2020
On Oct. 21, Gov. Greg Abbott and TEA announced a new funding program for students with disabilities that is strikingly similar to previous voucher-like privatization proposals.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas schools tell teachers with medical risks to return to classrooms
Date Posted: 10/20/2020
Several school districts are trying to accommodate teachers with health conditions who want to work from home, but many are being called back in as more students return to classrooms.
Happy Educator Voting Day!
Date Posted: 10/19/2020
It’s been a wild election season—and a wild year in general. Today, October 19, marks Educator Voting Day in Texas.
TEA announces modified STAAR progress measure
Date Posted: 10/16/2020
TEA sent a notification to Education Service Centers and school district testing coordinators this week outlining how they intend to approach the STAAR progress measure for the 2020-21 school year.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 16, 2020
Date Posted: 10/16/2020
Here are this week's education news highlights, brought to you by ATPE Governmental Relations.
From The Texas Tribune: Eight Texas school systems will get rapid tests with new pilot program
Date Posted: 10/15/2020
Coronavirus tests with results in 15 minutes or less are coming to a few Texas schools as part of a new pilot program announced Wednesday by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Texas election roundup: Early voting breaking records
Date Posted: 10/15/2020
Early voting is now underway in Texas, and over one million Texans have already cast their ballots!
Census deadline is now Oct. 15 following Supreme Court ruling
Date Posted: 10/14/2020
At the request of the Trump administration, the United States Supreme Court yesterday issued an order to cut the 2020 Census count short.
ATPE discusses teacher workforce issues with Senate committee
Date Posted: 10/14/2020
The Senate Education Committee met Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, in Austin to discuss teacher workforce and adult education topics.
Early voting in the 2020 general election, pandemic-style
Date Posted: 10/13/2020
Today is the first day of early voting in Texas for the 2020 general election. Plenty of time to make a plan and choose a time when the lines may be shorter.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 9, 2020
Date Posted: 10/09/2020
Here are this week's education news highlights, brought to you by ATPE Governmental Relations.
Texas election roundup: Early voting begins next week!
Date Posted: 10/08/2020
At long last, the strangest election season in our lifetime is reaching a crescendo.
From The Texas Tribune: How the Texas Legislature will operate next year is up in the air
Date Posted: 10/06/2020
The Texas Legislature meets in less than 100 days. Nobody knows how the session will look.
TEA gets federal funding to grow charters and approves one controversial charter chain's expansion
Date Posted: 10/05/2020
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath approved the controversial expansion of IDEA, one of the state's largest charter school chains, to 12 new campuses in 2021.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 2, 2020
Date Posted: 10/02/2020
Here is this week's recap of the latest education news from your ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Registration deadline Monday!
Date Posted: 10/01/2020
Monday, October 5 is the last to register to vote if you are not already registered in the county in which you plan to cast your ballot.
TEA extends funding hold harmless period, ties to in-person instruction
Date Posted: 10/01/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released a press statement today regarding how Texas public schools will be funded during the pandemic amid unstable enrollment.
Equitable services saga ends following court decision against DeVos rule
Date Posted: 9/30/2020
It seems as though the equitable services saga has finally come to an end. Here's the story from start to finish.
ATPE Submits Interim Testimony to House Committees on COVID-19, School Funding, and More
Date Posted: 9/30/2020
As we have been reporting here on Teach the Vote, several Texas legislative committees have solicited written feedback from stakeholders this year in lieu of taking public testimony at in-person hearings this year.
Senate District 30 special election results
Date Posted: 9/29/2020
Today, September 29, voters in Senate District (SD) 30 in North Texas headed to the polls for a special election.
Texas adjusts incorrect data on COVID-19 in schools
Date Posted: 9/28/2020
The state has adjusted numbers on the dashboard managed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) that tracks COVID-19 cases in public schools.
From The Texas Tribune: Federal judge blocks Texas' elimination of straight-ticket voting
Date Posted: 9/26/2020
Less than three weeks before early voting begins, a U.S. district judge has blocked Texas from eliminating straight-ticket voting as an option for people who go to the polls this November.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 25, 2020
Date Posted: 9/25/2020
Here is this week's recap of the latest education news from your ATPE Governmental Relations team.
U.S. Department of Education hosts webinar on school reopening
Date Posted: 9/23/2020
The U.S. Department of Education hosted a virtual panel presentation today, Sept. 23, on successful strategies to reopen schools this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Happy National Voter Registration Day!
Date Posted: 9/22/2020
September 22 is National Voter Registration Day across the United States. Are you registered to vote?
Texas election roundup: More court rulings
Date Posted: 9/18/2020
A pair of court decisions this week could make a significant impact on the November elections.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 18, 2020
Date Posted: 9/18/2020
Texas is set to reopen further next week, just as most schools have started the new school year. For more on recent developments, here is this week's recap from ATPE Governmental Relations.
TRS board holds its fall meeting
Date Posted: 9/18/2020
Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas Executive Director, Brian Guthrie, presented his comments to the TRS Board of Trustees virtually today, the final day of the board's fall meeting.
Census workers are knocking
Date Posted: 9/17/2020
We can all work together to make sure Texas receives its fair share of federal funding for roads, schools, healthcare, representation in Congress, and much more.
SBOE tentatively approves 6 new charter chains
Date Posted: 9/11/2020
The State Board of Education (SBOE) narrowly voted to give tentative approval to six of the eight new charter school chains the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has recommended for approval this year.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 11, 2020
Date Posted: 9/11/2020
Here is a look at this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
SBOE vetoes three proposed charter chains
Date Posted: 9/11/2020
The State Board of Education (SBOE) formally vetoed three applications to operate new charter school chains in Texas on Friday.
ATPE urges Congress to keep private school vouchers out of COVID-19 relief legislation
Date Posted: 9/10/2020
Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate shared their latest proposal for COVID-19 relief legislation, termed the "Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act."
Senate task force includes ATPE recommendations in letter to education commissioner
Date Posted: 9/09/2020
The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus issued a letter signed by all 12 caucus members to Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath last week with recommendations to assist Texas schools.
Morath pitches new charters to skeptical SBOE
Date Posted: 9/09/2020
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is meeting in person this week to tackle a packed schedule.
Teachers, superintendents, and commissioner speak at Tribune Festival
Date Posted: 9/09/2020
Rather than an in-person event jam-packed with speakers over a few days, this year's festival is taking place virtually throughout the entire month of September.
From The Texas Tribune: Many Texas students will return to classrooms Tuesday. Little will be normal.
Date Posted: 9/08/2020
As students across Texas return to schools for in-person classes, there will be masks, distancing and lunches eaten at desks. Many students will remain at home, joining in on laptops and phones.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 4, 2020
Date Posted: 9/04/2020
Here is a summary of this week's education news from ATPE Governmental Relations.
So, you’re thinking about voting by mail?
Date Posted: 9/04/2020
Make sure you are registered to vote, and decide if you are going to vote by mail.
TEA adds "Project Restore" trauma training to COVID-19 resources
Date Posted: 9/03/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has launched a trauma-informed training webinar series called "Project Restore."
Betsy DeVos tells states not to expect student testing waivers
Date Posted: 9/03/2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos sent a letter to the top school official in every state today regarding federal requirements for student testing in the 2020-21 school year.
Texas election roundup: HEB owner advocates for voter safety
Date Posted: 9/03/2020
The owner of beloved Texas grocery chain H-E-B wrote a letter to the Texas Supreme Court this week arguing in support of the ability of Texans to vote by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SBOE holds abbreviated virtual meeting this week
Date Posted: 9/01/2020
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the State Board of Education met for the first of two virtual meetings this week in order to clear a handful of less controversial items from the board’s agenda.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 28, 2020
Date Posted: 8/28/2020
Whether you're back in class or still getting ready to meet your new students, check out this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
COVID case reporting in schools and more updates from TEA
Date Posted: 8/27/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released official correspondence today detailing COVID-19 case reporting in schools.
ATPE supports lifetime Legacy Master Teacher certificates
Date Posted: 8/27/2020
ATPE submitted public comments to TEA and SBEC in support of a proposed rule change that would help Legacy Master Teachers maintain their teaching positions.
Texas election roundup: North Texas Senate race takes shape and more
Date Posted: 8/27/2020
SD 30 special election news, mail-in ballot issues, and a Republican National Convention update.
"School choice" in the spotlight as presidential election approaches
Date Posted: 8/26/2020
Now that the presidential slate of candidates has been finalized, the focus is shifting to the candidates' views on particular issues, including some related to education.
ATPE's timeline of COVID-19 in Texas and our association's response
Date Posted: 8/25/2020
ATPE has launched a new timeline allowing website visitors to visualize the growth of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, related governmental developments, and our association's response to the crisis.
Guest post: Schools need reliable and consistent funding
Date Posted: 8/24/2020
Public education advocate and parent Laura Yeager shares her opinion on why the state needs to do a better job of ensuring that Texas public schools have reliable and consistent funding.
Master Teacher rule fix opens for public comment
Date Posted: 8/21/2020
After months of advocacy by ATPE, SBEC tentatively agreed upon a proposed rule that will eliminate the expiration date of "Legacy Master Teacher" certificates.
TEA updates its COVID-19 resources to include case reporting instructions and educator wellness guidance
Date Posted: 8/21/2020
TEA announced two new resources that educators and parents have been requesting: guidance on promoting educator well-being and information about COVID-19 case reporting in Texas public schools.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 21, 2020
Date Posted: 8/21/2020
Read this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
House Public Education committee posts formal requests for information
Date Posted: 8/20/2020
Read a summary of the requests here.
Texas election roundup: Postmaster General pauses disruption
Date Posted: 8/20/2020
The U.S. Postal Service warned Texas officials in July that it may be unable to deliver some mail-in ballots on time in order to meet the deadlines for them to be counted in the November election.
Teachers and suffrage: Remembering the 19th Amendment a century later
Date Posted: 8/18/2020
On August 18, 1920, after an intense showdown, the Tennessee House of Representatives provided the final (and narrow) approval necessary for the amendment's ratification.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 14, 2020
Date Posted: 8/14/2020
Stay up-to-date with this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: A shakeup in North Texas
Date Posted: 8/13/2020
Newly-elected state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) was ceremonially sworn into her new office at the Texas State Capitol this week after being formally sworn in a couple of weeks ago.
Senate Finance releases first interim report as the House ramps up its committee work
Date Posted: 8/10/2020
The report touched on proposed reforms to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas and the Permanent School Fund (PSF), which helps fund public schools in Texas.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 7, 2020
Date Posted: 8/07/2020
Check out this week's wrap-up from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
ATPE meets virtually with Texas Congressional delegation
Date Posted: 8/06/2020
ATPE State President Jimmy Lee and immediate Past President Tonja Gray spent time in July joining me and the ATPE Governmental Relations team for a series of online roundtable policy discussions.
Food for thought: School nutrition and COVID-19
Date Posted: 8/04/2020
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Texas in March, one of our first concerns was how students who normally relied on the school for meals would continue to have access to nutritious food.
From The Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott stresses local school officials "know best" whether schools should reopen
Date Posted: 8/04/2020
Gov. Greg Abbott stressed Tuesday that only local school boards, not local governments, have the power to decide how to open schools this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 31, 2020
Date Posted: 7/31/2020
Read this week's wrap-up from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
SBEC holds special meeting to discuss educator preparation amid COVID-19
Date Posted: 7/31/2020
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) met today to discuss a special rule to address educator preparation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor removes STAAR requirements for grade promotion, but state leaders show no intent to waive testing in 2020-21
Date Posted: 7/29/2020
On Monday, July 27, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced that STAAR scores would not be required factors in determining fifth and eighth grade promotion next year.
BREAKING: Schools receive updated TEA guidance on closures, reflecting new advice from attorney general
Date Posted: 7/28/2020
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a press release sharing a letter he penned about local authorities' power (or lack thereof) to restrict schools from reopening for on-campus instruction.
Another round of federal stimulus inching closer to reality
Date Posted: 7/28/2020
There is much work to be done to negotiate a plan that can pass out of both chambers.
Summary of July 24 SBEC meeting
Date Posted: 7/24/2020
SBEC met today regarding the adoption of five items related to the implementation of the Science of Teaching Reading and a proposed fix for expiring Legacy Master Teacher certificates.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 24, 2020
Date Posted: 7/24/2020
With the start of school just around the corner, it's been another busy week for ATPE and the education community. Read about this week's developments below from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Congressional panel discusses school reopening, safety considerations
Date Posted: 7/23/2020
The U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education met July 23 to discuss the safe reopening of public schools across the nation.
Texas projected to face $4.6 billion deficit by the end of the current biennium
Date Posted: 7/22/2020
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the elected official charged with overseeing the state's finances, now expects Texas will face a $4.6 billion deficit by the end of the current two-year budget cycle.
Wrapping up the July TRS board meeting
Date Posted: 7/21/2020
The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas Board of Trustees met virtually last week on Wednesday through Friday, July 15-17, for its regular board meeting.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 17, 2020
Date Posted: 7/17/2020
Read this week's wrap-up from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
BREAKING: TEA issues new reopening guidance; ATPE deems it insufficient to ensure safety
Date Posted: 7/17/2020
TEA announced it would allow school districts to begin their school year with a four-week transition period of virtual instruction (up from three weeks permitted under prior TEA guidance).
Texas election roundup: Runoff results are in!
Date Posted: 7/15/2020
On a day that raised serious questions about the state's ability to hold an effective election during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a few surprise wins and losses.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas schools can stay closed if local health officials order it
Date Posted: 7/15/2020
Local public health officials will be able to keep schools closed for in-person instruction this fall without risking state education funding, a TEA spokesperson confirmed to The Texas Tribune.
ATPE releases plan with new recommendations for reopening schools
Date Posted: 7/14/2020
The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) released new recommendations Tuesday including a statewide plan to facilitate a safer start to the 2020-21 school year.
ATPE expects more from state efforts to protect educators
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
Our statement on the guidance reflects our overall disappointment in the lack of clarity and specificity provided to educators who are concerned for their health and safety when returning to school.
Texas election roundup: Last chance to vote in the runoffs!
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
Friday, July 10, is the last day to early vote before the July 14 runoff elections across Texas, and campaigns are in the final sprint to the finish line.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 10, 2020
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
ATPE closed out its first virtual Summit today, which featured several discussions about COVID-19 and school safety. Read more about what happened this week from our Governmental Relations team.
ATPE House of Delegates adopts resolutions on COVID-19 educational considerations
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
The ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) met Thursday, July 9, for the association's annual business meeting.
Help spread the word about the 2020 Census
Date Posted: 7/07/2020
The 2020 Census is well underway, but at a smidge over 56%, Texas still has a long way to go in its response rate.
BREAKING: TEA posts updated public health guidance for school reopening
Date Posted: 7/07/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today released a new Public Health Planning Guidance document for the 2020-21 school year.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 3, 2020
Date Posted: 7/03/2020
Here is our wrap-up of this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mandates face masks in most counties
Date Posted: 7/03/2020
Abbott previously resisted calls for such an order and at one point banned local governments from requiring masks.
Setting the record straight on the myth of "temporary" teacher retirement
Date Posted: 7/01/2020
Exactly what is the law, and what considerations should educators be aware of as they are making retirement decisions in the wake of COVID-19?
ATPE survey, TEA data show pandemic-related decline in student engagement
Date Posted: 7/01/2020
When COVID-19 sent our educational system into triage mode, educators were asked by TEA to document "student engagement" in the state's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS).
Commissioner discusses COVID-19 issues at the June SBOE meeting
Date Posted: 6/30/2020
The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) is holding its June meeting this week.
Voting in a pandemic: One ATPE lobbyist's experience
Date Posted: 6/29/2020
ATPE Lobbyist Andrea Chevalier shares her early voting experience.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 26, 2020
Date Posted: 6/26/2020
In this week's wrap-up, the ATPE Governmental Relations team will fill you in on the latest happenings.
Texas election roundup: Early voting begins Monday, June 29
Date Posted: 6/25/2020
Early voting begins Monday, June 29, 2020, for the July 14 primary runoff elections across the state of Texas, as well as for a special election to fill an open Texas Senate seat in Central Texas.
DeVos issues rule on sending stimulus funds to private schools
Date Posted: 6/25/2020
The U.S. Dept. of Education issued a final interim rule to address disdain over its previous guidance directing public school districts to share federal emergency relief funds with private schools.
ATPE reacts to preview of TEA's health guidance for next school year
Date Posted: 6/24/2020
ATPE issued a statement this afternoon on a draft document that was widely circulated today regarding state officials' plans for the next school year.
TEA shares remote learning guidance for fall 2020
Date Posted: 6/24/2020
TEA has been working on a funding framework that encompasses distance learning options within existing law.
From The Texas Tribune: Draft documents show Texas planning few mandatory safety measures when public schools reopen in fall
Date Posted: 6/23/2020
Texas education officials are envisioning a largely hands-off approach to helping school districts bring students back to campus this fall.
Governor acknowledges COVID-19 surge, but no new mandates
Date Posted: 6/22/2020
Gov. Greg Abbott acknowledged that cases of COVID-19 are surging in Texas, but did not issue any new executive orders or require any additional action be taken to decrease the spread.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 19, 2020
Date Posted: 6/19/2020
For what happened in education this week, read this from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas students will return to school campuses this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott tells lawmakers
Date Posted: 6/18/2020
Texas students will be returning to public schools in person this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott told state lawmakers Thursday morning.
ATPE responds to plans for in-person instruction this fall
Date Posted: 6/18/2020
responded Thursday to news that Gov. Greg Abbott plans for Texas schools to resume in-person instruction when the 2020-21 school year begins this fall.
Educators cite health and safety as their top concern in ATPE survey
Date Posted: 6/15/2020
Educators say health and safety issues are their biggest concerns heading into the next school year, according to results of a statewide poll of more than 4,200 educators recently conducted by ATPE.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 12, 2020
Date Posted: 6/12/2020
Check out this week's education news from ATPE Governmental Relations.
Texas election roundup: Registration deadline approaching!
Date Posted: 6/11/2020
The primary runoff elections that were postponed to July 14 from their original May 26 date are almost upon us.
SBEC meets to discuss COVID-19 considerations for certification candidates
Date Posted: 6/11/2020
SBEC met off their normal schedule today to discuss a new coronavirus-inspired rule regarding face-to-face requirements for certification candidates in educator preparation programs.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 5, 2020
Date Posted: 6/05/2020
See our headlines and read a recap of education developments this week from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Another court decision on mail-in voting
Date Posted: 6/04/2020
For weeks there has been a back-and-forth battle being waged over Texas voting laws, but that fight may be drawing closer to an end.
Virtual charter school students experienced learning loss, study shows
Date Posted: 6/03/2020
Virtual schooling is in the spotlight right now, especially with many parents considering how to approach returning to school this fall in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 29, 2020
Date Posted: 5/29/2020
As you start your summer, relax and enjoy some reading on this week's education news from the ATPE lobby team.
Texas election roundup: Voter safety and a court ruling
Date Posted: 5/28/2020
The on-again, off-again saga of whether or not all Texas voters can vote by mail continued this week with a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court yesterday.
ATPE weighs in on proposed Teacher Incentive Allotment rules
Date Posted: 5/28/2020
House Bill (HB) 3, the landmark school finance bill passed by Texas lawmakers in 2019, included funding for a new Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA).
Surveys illuminate parent and teacher worries in light of COVID-19
Date Posted: 5/27/2020
With numerous unknowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to gauge how parents, families, and educators feel about the current state of emergency learning and potential paths forward.
Dispute over CARES Act funding for private schools intensifies
Date Posted: 5/26/2020
In April, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos directed public school districts to use CARES Act funds to provide "equitable services" to non-profit private school students in their bounds.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 22, 2020
Date Posted: 5/22/2020
Catch up on this week's education news.
Texas election roundup: The mail voting seesaw
Date Posted: 5/21/2020
The back and forth over calls to expand mail-in voting peaked this week with a flurry of court orders, further confusing what has become a dramatic, partisan fight.
Texas signals it may send federal K-12 dollars to private schools
Date Posted: 5/20/2020
Federal stimulus funding to help states and school districts deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic could find its way into the coffers of private schools and virtual education vendors.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas schools can hold summer classes, but students can't be required to attend in person
Date Posted: 5/19/2020
Texas public school districts may offer summer school in their classrooms as early as June 1, but they cannot require any students to attend in person.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 15, 2020
Date Posted: 5/15/2020
Here's a look at this week's news.
Guest Post: One parent's questions about TEA's optional assessments
Date Posted: 5/15/2020
TEA announced recently the implementation of optional standardized end of year and beginning of year assessments as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One parent shares her concerns.
Texas election roundup: Senate special election
Date Posted: 5/14/2020
Wednesday, May 13, 2020, marked the deadline for candidates to file for the legislative seat recently vacated by former state Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin).
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 8, 2020
Date Posted: 5/08/2020
Here is this week's education news from the ATPE lobby team.
Recapping education changes due to the coronavirus
Date Posted: 5/08/2020
New information surfaces daily amid an ever-developing curve of cases, while educators work speedily to learn and implement effective distance learning methods.
UPDATE: Texas election roundup: Runoff registration
Date Posted: 5/07/2020
This post has been updated to reflect the governor's decision to extend early voting in the July 14 primary runoffs by one week in an attempt to accommodate greater social distancing.
From SXSW EDU: Growth mindset holds promise in education
Date Posted: 5/06/2020
Here are some takeaways from the event.
From The Texas Tribune: "Between 0 and 100%": Texas schools weigh the odds of students returning this fall
Date Posted: 5/05/2020
It's way too early to know how COVID-19 cases will trend over the next few months, but school leaders are trying to draw up preliminary plans for bringing students back to classrooms.
Highlights of the May 2020 SBEC meeting
Date Posted: 5/01/2020
In its first meeting conducted via Zoom, the certification board discussed educators and coronavirus, Master Teachers, and more.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 1, 2020
Date Posted: 5/01/2020
Check out the latest installment of education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
DeVos uses federal coronavirus aid to fund "microgrant" vouchers
Date Posted: 4/30/2020
As we previously reported, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, a longtime champion of privatization, has been advocating for federal funding of "microgrants."
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 24, 2020
Date Posted: 4/24/2020
Here is a look at this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Texans could face serious decision whether to vote during pandemic
Date Posted: 4/23/2020
Texas voters may have a difficult decision ahead of them when it comes to casting their ballot in the upcoming runoff elections.
ATPE continues advocacy for Master Teacher fix
Date Posted: 4/22/2020
ATPE's lobbyists have been working diligently with state leaders and officials to ensure that the expertise and value of Master Teacher certificate holders is upheld.
SBOE formally approves African American studies course
Date Posted: 4/17/2020
The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) met today to conclude its April meeting, which was conducted virtually over Zoom and covered a pared-down agenda.
BREAKING: Abbott says schools to remain closed, offers early plan to open other Texas businesses
Date Posted: 4/17/2020
Today, Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in which he outlined early plans for reopening the state to commerce.
SBOE hosts April meeting via videoconference
Date Posted: 4/16/2020
The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) met virtually Thursday for its scheduled April meeting.
U.S. Dept. of Education releases first K-12 coronavirus dollars
Date Posted: 4/15/2020
Ever since the CARES Act became law on on March 27, 2020, education stakeholders have anxiously awaited the release of billions of federal dollars for education in the states.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 10, 2020
Date Posted: 4/10/2020
Check out this edition of Teach the Vote's Week in Review.
Sunset report recommends TRS improve its member relations
Date Posted: 4/09/2020
While much of the report addresses standard sunset fare, one issue may resonate with TRS members above the rest: “TRS Needs to Repair Its Relationship With Its Members by Focusing on Their Needs.”
Texas educator preparation and testing in viral limbo
Date Posted: 4/08/2020
Uncertainty around educator preparation and testing in Texas during the novel coronavirus pandemic has left some aspiring and current educators wondering, "What's next?"
State comptroller says Texas is in a recession
Date Posted: 4/07/2020
In an April 7 interview with The Texas Tribune, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar repeated a statement he had already made to legislators regarding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ATPE joins call for moratorium on charter expansions
Date Posted: 4/06/2020
ATPE has joined with 17 other education organizations in a call for a moratorium on the expansion of charter schools across the state during the coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 3, 2020
Date Posted: 4/03/2020
Check out the latest education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: More convention and election delays
Date Posted: 4/02/2020
Like the elections themselves, political party conventions across the country are struggling to make adjustments under the COVID-19 pandemic.
No fooling, it's Census Day!
Date Posted: 4/01/2020
We all know that April 1 is April Fool's Day, but did you know that every 10 years it is also Census Day?
Are "microgrants" a new name for DeVos' same old voucher proposal?
Date Posted: 4/01/2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is asking Congress to fund "microgrants" to provide money for online learning during the coronavirus outbreak.
BREAKING: New executive order by Gov. Abbott extends closure of school facilities
Date Posted: 3/31/2020
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference today addressing the state's response to the new coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 27, 2020
Date Posted: 3/27/2020
As you press on into "pandemic-mode" learning, check out the latest education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
BREAKING: Congress passes third stimulus bill for coronavirus relief
Date Posted: 3/26/2020
Known as the CARES Act, the wide-ranging package is the largest stimulus package, in terms of absolute dollars, in US history.
Texas election roundup: The long delay
Date Posted: 3/26/2020
Election politics is pretty much in a holding pattern across most of Texas as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 20, 2020
Date Posted: 3/20/2020
Read the latest in education news updates from the ATPE Governmental Relations team, including a lighthearted reminder about the importance of teachers.
Feds announce availability of student testing waivers
Date Posted: 3/20/2020
The U.S. Department of Education today signaled willingness to waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-20 school year for students impacted by school closures due to the coronavirus outbreak.
State and federal officials respond to virus with new closures, contemplate aid for schools
Date Posted: 3/19/2020
Regulatory developments stemming from the growing concerns about the new coronavirus pandemic gripping the nation have been occurring swiftly these last two weeks.
Texas election roundup: Municipal elections may be postponed
Date Posted: 3/19/2020
The coronavirus outbreak is affecting everything in Texas, including upcoming municipal elections.
2020 Census: FAQs and coronavirus
Date Posted: 3/18/2020
Have you completed your 2020 Census questionnaire yet?
From The Texas Tribune: Texas' coronavirus strategy is a patchwork of different local rules
Date Posted: 3/17/2020
While other states fighting coronavirus enforce widespread closures, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott goes with a patchwork system.
BREAKING: STAAR testing waived for 2019-20 school year
Date Posted: 3/16/2020
Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced Monday that Texas is waiving STAAR testing requirements for the 2019-20 school year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus and Texas education: Policy implications as of March 16
Date Posted: 3/16/2020
Here's a rundown of the latest information we have so far regarding how the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is impacting the public education system in Texas.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 13, 2020
Date Posted: 3/13/2020
The ATPE Governmental Relations team has your education news update.
Texas election roundup: Runoff endorsements and late surprises
Date Posted: 3/12/2020
As the rest of Texas turns its focus to the primary election runoffs, it turns out there is still a surprise or two left over from last Tuesday's primary elections.
Texas public schools are counting on the 2020 Census
Date Posted: 3/12/2020
Check your mailbox today. Did you get a 2020 Census invitation?
Election 2020: The runoff rundown
Date Posted: 3/11/2020
Super Tuesday has come and gone, but many Texans have a runoff election just around the corner!
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 6, 2020
Date Posted: 3/06/2020
The ATPE Governmental Relations team has the scoop on what happened at the polls and other education news.
Rural schools get a temporary reprieve on loss of federal funds
Date Posted: 3/05/2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has backed down, at least temporarily, on her department's plan to cut federal resources currently flowing to more than 800 low-income rural schools.
Primary Election Day 2020 is here. Go vote!
Date Posted: 3/03/2020
Today is "Super Tuesday," the date of the 2020 primary election in Texas.
Texas primary election results for 2020
Date Posted: 3/03/2020
Texas held its Republican and Democratic primary elections yesterday, March 3, 2020.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Feb. 28, 2020
Date Posted: 2/28/2020
Catch up on the latest education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Last chance to vote early!
Date Posted: 2/28/2020
February 28 is the last chance to vote early in the 2020 Texas primary elections, so make plans to vote before 7 pm Friday to avoid the long lines we're expecting to see on Election Day, March 3.
Highlights of the Feb. 2020 SBEC meeting
Date Posted: 2/21/2020
SBEC discussed rule changes to implement recently passed legislation, enact numerous technical updates, and approve new supplemental certifications in special education and bilingual education.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Feb. 21, 2020
Date Posted: 2/21/2020
Stay up-to-date on the latest education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Healthcare and office space discussions dominate February 2020 TRS meeting
Date Posted: 2/21/2020
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees held its first meeting of 2020 in Austin this week.
Texas election roundup: Week 1 of early voting
Date Posted: 2/20/2020
Preliminary information is trickling in that gives us an idea of who is showing up to the polls in these first few days.
Another poll shows strong support for public education
Date Posted: 2/20/2020
The Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation has released a new statewide poll about Texans' attitudes toward public education.
The Voting Scoop: What you need to know
Date Posted: 2/19/2020
With early voting underway now across Texas, it's a good time to review what you need to know about the voting process itself before heading out to the polls.
From The Texas Tribune: Most Texans want lower property taxes and more school spending, UT/TT Poll finds
Date Posted: 2/18/2020
Texas voters still think that property taxes are too high and that the state spends too little on public education, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
Primary Colors: Why March 3 Matters (Part II)
Date Posted: 2/17/2020
In 2020, being a primary election voter is critical. ATPE explains why in Part II of our "Primary Colors" blog feature.
Primary Colors: Why March 3 Matters (Part I)
Date Posted: 2/16/2020
In Texas, primary election results – not the November general election – often determine who will represent you in Austin.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Feb. 14, 2020
Date Posted: 2/14/2020
Here's this week's Texas education news.
Texas election roundup: Pro-public education endorsements
Date Posted: 2/13/2020
Early voting in the 2020 Texas primary elections begins next Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, which is also Educator Voting Day.
Election tips for educators: Know your rights and the rules
Date Posted: 2/12/2020
With the 2020 Texas primary election nearing, ATPE has been urging educators to be active and involved voters.
Texas election roundup: Time to start researching
Date Posted: 2/07/2020
Early voting in the Texas primary elections begins in less than two weeks.
Beyond candidates: 2020 Texas primary ballot propositions
Date Posted: 2/07/2020
Candidates aren't the only thing Texas voters will find on their ballots on February 18 when early voting starts for the 2020 Texas Republican and Democratic primary elections.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Feb. 7, 2020
Date Posted: 2/07/2020
Check out what happened this week in education news from Texas and the nation's capital, courtesy of the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Pres. Trump to pitch vouchers in SOTU speech
Date Posted: 2/04/2020
President Donald Trump is expected to voice his support for a federal voucher bill filed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in tonight's State of the Union (SOTU) address.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 31, 2020
Date Posted: 1/31/2020
Here's this week's education news from ATPE Governmental Relations.
Texas election roundup: Next stop primaries!
Date Posted: 1/30/2020
The big election news this week involved three special runoff elections, most notably the race for House District (HD) 28 in Fort Bend County.
Educator resources for Holocaust Remembrance Week and related legislation
Date Posted: 1/30/2020
This week in Washington, DC, the U.S. House passed H.R. 943, referred to as the "Never Again Education Act" to provide grants and resources for Holocaust education programs.
SBOE committee discusses charter applications
Date Posted: 1/30/2020
The SBOE Committee on School Initiatives met Thursday morning in Austin, where their agenda included a look at applications by charter schools to open new schools or expand to new campuses.
Commissioner presents SBOE with annual report
Date Posted: 1/28/2020
Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath addressed the State Board of Education (SBOE) Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2019, as part of the board's week-long January meeting.
Special Texas House runoff election results for Jan. 28, 2020
Date Posted: 1/28/2020
Voters in three Texas House districts hit the polls on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, to elect their new state representatives.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 24, 2020
Date Posted: 1/24/2020
Check out this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Early voting in special runoffs
Date Posted: 1/23/2020
Early voting is underway this week in the special runoff elections in Dallas, Houston, and Fort Bend County.
Compensation, testing, and TRS top issues in ATPE's "Your Voice" survey
Date Posted: 1/22/2020
From November 2019 through early January 2020, ATPE members had the opportunity to take a short, three-question survey through Advocacy Central.
Learn about Texas House candidates in this month's special election runoffs
Date Posted: 1/20/2020
On Jan. 28, 2020, voters in three Texas House districts have an opportunity to elect a new state representative.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 17, 2020
Date Posted: 1/17/2020
Take a look at this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Breaking news: Capriglione appointed chairman of House Appropriations
Date Posted: 1/17/2020
Today, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) was appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee by Speaker Dennis Bonnen.
Texas election roundup: Finance reports coming in
Date Posted: 1/16/2020
ATPE's Governmental Relations team has been busy researching and meeting with candidates and updating our candidate profiles here on Teach the Vote.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 10, 2020
Date Posted: 1/10/2020
Enjoy this week's education update from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: New year edition
Date Posted: 1/09/2020
The Super Tuesday primaries -- including the Texas primary -- are less than two months away. That means election season is in full swing.