Advocacy Blog

An audit finds “administrative bloat” at TEA—but the governor turns his attention to his perception of the same issue in school districts. 

Abbott and Hinojosa both spent much of their airtime this week on public education issues, including a call from the governor to audit school districts.

ATPE recommends the state pay a modest lump sum to decrease the pension system’s funding period rather than increase teacher contribution rates or move the state rate closer to the constitutional cap. 

TEA releases 2025-26 accountability ratings. Plus: Catch the ATPE Legislative Update from the 2026 ATPE Summit.

The candidates for Texas governor—Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa—focused on public education in big ways this week. 

Austin ISD had two campuses failing state ratings for five consecutive years.

Texas Monthly delves into TEA takeovers and connections between the agency and the Third Futures Schools charter network. Plus: Join ATPE and Devin Siebold for a Back-to-School Bash Tuesday, Aug. 11! 

Members of the newly created Texas Classroom Commission announced, plus SBEC continues conversation on NBCT and TIA.

ATPE members are among the 22 educators appointed to the commission to make legislative and policy recommendations on teaching, school climate, and student achievement.

SBEC voted at its July 23-24 meeting to require content changes in National Board materials by Nov. 2 to align with Texas law. A final vote on continued inclusion of the program in TIA is expected in December.