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. 

• After the shutdown ends, federal education oversight remains in turmoil 
• Morath speaks to SBOE on Teacher Incentive Allotment and Additional Days School Year programs
• What do the 2024–25 FIRST Ratings mean for independent school districts and educators?
• Check out the latest content on atpenews.org
• TEA releases guidance on SB 2 and more in correspondence to district leaders
• Earn on-demand CPE credit by watching TribFest sessions
• Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees vote 7–1 to appeal TEA’s planned takeover
• ATPE deadlines to apply for state committee service, submit award nominations are fast approaching
• Stay in the know and take action with ATPE’s member advocacy tools
• Happy Thanksgiving from ATPE!

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT: Although the government has reopened, the federal infrastructure that supports public education remains fragile, and the Trump Administration is pushing forward with plans to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE).  

According to reporting from The Washington Post and a press release from the DOE, several key offices may be transferred out of the department through contractual arrangements that would bypass congressional oversight. The press release outlines six interagency partnerships that shift DOE responsibilities to the Department of Labor, the Department of the Interior, Health and Human Services, and the Department of State. 

ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield explains these changes and the potential impact on Texas public education in this blog post. 

ATPE members are encouraged to contact their elected officials in Washington, D.C., urging them to prevent the DOE from being shut down. Visit Advocacy Central to get in touch with your lawmakers today. 

SBOE: TEA Commissioner Mike Morath spoke to the State Board of Education Wednesday on House Bill (HB) 2 as it relates to the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) and Additional Days School Year (ADSY) programs and made it clear that both are intended to drive statewide structural change. ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield shares Morath’s comments and TIA/ADSY data in this blog post and will provide a full recap next week on the SBOE’s November meeting.  

FIRST RATINGS: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released the final 2024–25 School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) ratings for independent school districts (ISDs) based on fiscal year 2024. For ISDs, this year’s ratings offer both transparency and a stark illustration of the ongoing financial pressures created by Texas’ school finance structure. ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield has more in this blog post. 

ATPE NEWS: Be sure to check out the latest collection of content on atpenews.org. In Capitol Comment, ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter highlights the power of voter participation and why every ballot cast strengthens our collective voice. In Legal Opinions, ATPE Managing Attorney Lance Cain breaks down the essential steps educators should take now to wrap up the semester smoothly and begin the new year recharged and ready.  

TEA: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) continues its weekly release of correspondence to district leaders. On Nov. 20, TEA released guidance highlighting important provisions in Senate Bill (SB) 2 regarding children with disabilities. You can view this and other TAA letters on TEA’s website.    

TRIBFEST: The ATPE team enjoyed visiting with members, public educators, and the community at large during the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival. Educator attendees could earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit at select sessions through ATPE, and we also showcased our new AI assistant, Judy, during the free public Open Congress portion of the event. Great news: Select sessions are now available for on-demand consumption and credit through the ATPE Professional Learning Portal! Log in and search for Tribfest to find 2025 TribFest sessions. 

ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter

ATPE Marketing & Engagement Director Kate Johanns, ATPE Marketing & Communications Specialist Jack Densmore, and ATPE Learning & Engagement Specialist Andrea Hutlock. Photo courtesy of The Texas Tribune.

ATPE Marketing & Communications Specialist Jack Densmore and ATPE Learning & Engagement Specialist Andrea Hutlock showcase Judy, ATPE's new AI assistant

ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter

ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield and ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter

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FORT WORTH ISD: The Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees voted 7–1 Tuesday to appeal Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath’s planned takeover of the school district. As reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the appeal is the last option available to the board before Morath replaces the elected board with an appointed board of managers. Morath has appointed former New Mexico education secretary Christopher Ruszkowski as the district’s conservator. In related news, TEA has extended the application deadline for the board of managers to Dec. 1 and announced that over 800 applications are currently in progress. Learn more about the TEA takeover process in this Nov. 13 atpenews.org post by ATPE Managing Attorney Lance Cain. 

ATPE DEADLINES: The deadline to apply for Spring 2026 service on the ATPE Public Education, Political Action, Resolutions, Educator of the Year, and Leader of the Year committees has been extended to Dec. 1. Learn more and apply today. Also, nominations for the ATPE Educator of the Year, Local Unit of the Year, and Campus Representative of the Year awards must be submitted by Dec. 1. Honor a deserving colleague or volunteer with your nomination today. 

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: 

• Advocacy Central: Get in touch with your elected officials about the legislation impacting your profession.  

• 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 THANKSGIVING: ATPE wishes everyone a safe and restful Thanksgiving break. The state office will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 26–Friday, Nov. 28, in observance of the holiday. Teach the Vote’s Week in Review will be back the following Friday, Dec. 5.