TCTA defends salaries in TV news interview
News 8 Austin interviewed TCTA's Lonnie Hollingsworth to get our perspective on the budget deficit facing many districts across the state. After testifying on cost drivers at the Senate Education Committee last month, Hollingsworth once again emphasized the importance of class-size caps and the salary schedule, this time in front of a TV camera. Read more...
Did you know?
Did you know that you could lose your entitlement to District Awards for Teacher Excellence (DATE) grant money if you resign from your district or voluntarily transfer to a different campus? If you’re considering a voluntary resignation or transfer from a campus that is participating in the DATE program, you may want to review the terms of the plan to determine whether you’ll be leaving your award behind you if you leave.
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USDE releases final criteria for latest of series of grant programs
Over the last few months, the USDE has released final criteria for a series of grant program proposals it released this summer. TCTA commented on all of them, noting concerns about a number of highly objectionable common themes, including the latest to be finalized, the $650 million "Investing in Innovation" or "i3" fund. Read more...
Follow TCTA on Facebook and Twitter!
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Two ways to tell TEA about the student data you want
TEA wants to hear from teachers specifically - take advantage of this prime opportunity either by attending a free regional forum and earning three CPE credits or giving input via the website. Check out the "Student Snapshot" sample and give feedback to TEA. You must register to attend the regional forums.
SBOE adopts final graduation requirements; delays vote on social studies TEKS
Final adoption of changes to the high school graduation requirements can be seen in a side-by-side comparison chart. The Texas Education Agency answers FAQs on these changes. Also, the revised social studies TEKS that reflect amendments approved in January are now posted. Read more...
Obama announces plan to improve schools
President Barack Obama is proposing $900 million for struggling schools willing to follow one of the four approaches in his 2011 budget proposal. The announcement was made at an education event sponsored by America's Promise Alliance (APA), which is an organization founded by General Colin Powell and his wife, Alma. The Powells and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan also announced a 10-year drop-out prevention plan called GradNation. Dallas is hosting a Dropout Prevention Summit on Monday, March 8, supported by the APA.
Texas only state to meet all college and career readiness measures
Texas is the first, and so far only, state to meet all the American Diploma Project’s five key college and career readiness measures. Those include publicly reporting the percentage of students who graduate from high school with a college and career-ready diploma.
Read the press release...
TRS-ActiveCare insurance premiums to rise by 7%
The Teacher Retirement System Board of Directors met for three days in Katy, Texas, with a lengthy agenda that included the approval of changes in premium costs and in plan design of the health insurance plans under its jurisdiction. Read more...
Lawyer auxiliaries accepting Teacher of the Year nominations
Recognizing the vital role that teachers play in law-related education, the American Lawyers Auxiliary and the Texas Lawyers Auxiliary annually sponsor teacher of the year awards. Both awards carry cash prizes and recognition at the annual meetings in summer 2010. Read more...
TCTA fights to keep salary schedules, class-size caps
TCTA's Lonnie Hollingsworth testified at a Senate Education Committee hearing to refute the notion that teacher salary schedules and minimum class-size caps were cost drivers that should be reviewed as districts face financial pressures.
Updated: 03/10/10
