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. 

• What’s next for Texas schools? Take a look at the Senate’s newest interim charges
• From The Washington Post: Education Dept. to leave headquarters, give building to Energy Department
• Check out the latest education stories on atpenews.org
• ICYMI: Get a sneak peek of the 2026 ATPE Summit in the latest ATPE Podcast episode
• Use your teacher voice with ATPE’s member advocacy tools
• ATPE wishes you a safe and restful Easter weekend

INTERIM CHARGES: Teach the Vote previously reported on the release of the Senate committee assignments, and then on March 27, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) released a new set of Senate interim charges that will guide committee work ahead of the 90th Legislature, which convenes in January 2027.  

Among the charges impacting public education are studying how AI will shape the Texas workforce; examining school turnaround programs, “rightsizing,” and four-day school weeks; reviewing recent legislation, including teacher pay and voucher bills; and property taxes. 

ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield has more in this blog post. 

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT: The U.S. Department of Education announced March 26 it would leave its current headquarters and hand over the building to the U.S. Department of Energy in the Trump administration’s latest effort to shutter the agency. Although the dismantling of the department has been framed as “reducing the federal education footprint,” downsizing has involved shuffling responsibilities to others via “interagency agreements” such as one with the U.S. Treasury to collect on defaulted student loans, as well as pressuring public schools to fall in line with the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights. 

Read more in this article from The Washington Post. 

ATPE NEWS: ATPE has published its latest collection of content on atpenews.org.  

In Capitol Comment, ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter explains what the 2026 Texas primaries may signal for public education, breaking down record voter turnout and why increased engagement could point to a greater focus on moderate, education-friendly policies in the next legislative session. Plus: Learn how educators are strengthening their advocacy skills through the ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP) and participating in Capitol Expeditions. 

Read these stories and more on atpenews.org. 

SUMMIT: In case you missed it: Check out the latest episode of The ATPE Podcast for a special look at the 2026 ATPE Summit, including an exclusive interview with opening keynote speaker Juan Bendana. (Artist’s appearance arranged through Gotham Artists.) 

The ATPE Summit will take place July 14–16 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Register today and experience three days of inspiring sessions, fun social events, the annual meeting for the ATPE House of Delegates, and the opportunity to earn up to seven hours of continuing professional education credit. Registration and housing are open through June 12.  

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 brand-new ATPE mobile app to conveniently access member benefits and advocacy tools.  
• Advocacy Central: Encourage candidates in your area to fill out the 2026 ATPE Candidate survey.  
• Judy: Chat with ATPE’s new 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.    
• ATPE Professional Learning (PL) Portal: Three sessions from the 2025 ATPE Summit are available in the ATPE PL Portal: an HB 2 compensation overview, the ATPE lobby team’s advocacy update and the closing keynote by Jonathan Alsheimer. Log in to watch the recordings and earn 1.5 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credit. (Jonathan Alsheimer’s appearance arranged through Gotham Artists.) 
• 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.  

HAPPY EASTER: We wish you a happy and restful Easter weekend with your family and friends. The ATPE state office will be closed Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday and will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, April 6.