Advocacy Blog

Follow the Teach the Vote advocacy blog for the latest Texas public education news and in-depth analysis from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.

Visit the Blog Archive to read posts published from 2019 through 2024.

Senate passes two bills to insert religion in public schools 
Senate passes two bills to insert religion in public schools 

Senate education committee met to discuss bills focused on student health, curriculum standards, and school safety. 

By Heather Sheffield | Posted on: 3/20/2025

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House Public Education hears bills on student discipline and school cell phone policies
House Public Education hears bills on student discipline and school cell phone policies

Participate in a new Advocacy Central campaign urging preservation of local control as districts adopt cell phone policies.

By Tricia Cave | Posted on: 3/19/2025

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Senate Education K-16 Committee meets to quickly advance more bills
Senate Education K-16 Committee meets to quickly advance more bills

During Thursday’s relatively short meeting, the committee advanced a number of its pending bills to the full Senate.

By Heather Sheffield | Posted on: 3/14/2025

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Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: March 14, 2025
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: March 14, 2025

A Texas House committee debated vouchers in a marathon hearing, and the U.S. Dept. of Education announced a massive RIF. Plus, learn how to stay in the loop and take action as the legislative session marches on.

By ATPE Staff | Posted on: 3/14/2025

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Senate Education K-16 Committee Hears Special Education Bills
Senate Education K-16 Committee Hears Special Education Bills

ATPE provided testimony on SB 57 and SB 568 at the committee’s March 11 hearing.

By Heather Sheffield | Posted on: 3/12/2025

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House committee hearing on vouchers lasts nearly 24 hours
House committee hearing on vouchers lasts nearly 24 hours

ATPE testified at the House Public Education Committee’s hearing on House Bill 3, which began Tuesday morning and ended Wednesday morning.

By Tricia Cave | Posted on: 3/12/2025

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Comparing the House and Senate voucher plans
Comparing the House and Senate voucher plans

Although not identical, both SB 2 and HB 3 would provide Gov. Greg Abbott the voucher program his donors are expecting him to deliver.

By Tricia Cave | Posted on: 3/11/2025

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From The Texas Tribune: This charter school superintendent makes $870,000. He leads a district with 1,000 students.
From The Texas Tribune: This charter school superintendent makes $870,000. He leads a district with 1,000 students.

On paper, Salvador Cavazos earns less than $300,000 to run Valere Public Schools, a small Texas charter network. But taxpayers likely aren’t aware that his total pay makes him one of the country’s highest-earning superintendents.

By Ellis Simani, ProPublica, and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica | Posted on: 3/7/2025

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House Public Education Committee hears testimony on school finance bill over two hearing days
House Public Education Committee hears testimony on school finance bill over two hearing days

ATPE’s testimony primarily focused on the bill’s educator pay provisions.

By Tricia Cave | Posted on: 3/7/2025

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Texas DOGE Committee holds first hearing
Texas DOGE Committee holds first hearing

TEA, TRS among agencies questioned by committee members.

By Tricia Cave | Posted on: 3/7/2025

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