TCTA executive director looks back on the legislative session
ALL LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS HAVE THEIR OWN MOOD AND TONE AND PACE, but the most recent one was just plain weird. It could have been the early whipsaw between a projected shortfall of available funds and the unexpected infusion of billions of dollars of federal stimulus money. Read more...
81st legislative session wrap-up
More than 80 education-related bills were passed during the 81st legislative session, with many awaiting consideration by the governor when this publication went to print. Following are summaries of more than half the bills that passed the House and Senate and were sent to the governor. Read more...
A note to our paraprofessional members
Several of you have understandably inquired about the status of a raise for teacher aides and paraprofessionals. TCTA has met incredible resistance from most legislators to a minimum salary schedule for paraprofessionals, which has made it inordinately difficult to get legislation moving that would raise paraprofessional salaries, despite clear evidence that aides are ridiculously underpaid. Read more...
Legislative Stars: The 81st legislative session
When the 81st session of the Texas Legislature concluded, Texas public schools had a new accountability system for the first time in a decade and educators were among the few in the current economy to receive a pay increase. Read more...
Highlights of the new accountability system: Implementation begins in 2011-12
The long-awaited revamp of the state public school accountability system has finally been adopted after more than a year of public hearings and negotiations. Implementation of the new accountability system will begin with the 2011-12 school year. House Bill 3 was a compromise effort between Sen. Florence Shapiro, chair of the Senate Education Committee, and Rep. Rob Eissler, chair of the House Public Education Committee. Read more...
2009 accountability plan for rating districts/campuses
TEA has released its final accountability plan for rating districts and campuses for 2009 and beyond, which will remain in effect until implementation of the new accountability system begins in the 2011-12 school year. In 2009, the Legislature passed House Bill 3, which revised the state's accountability system for the first time in a decade. Read more...
Washington Watch (Summer 2009): The education reform agenda
In Washington's education policy circles, you do not hear the word "education" without "reform" right behind it, and it is all directed at taking a bolder approach to the eventual reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The U.S. Secretary of Education has embarked on a 15-state "listening tour" to hear firsthand what needs to be done. Read more...
TCTA President Susan Lewis keeps her eye on the "real reward"
When Susan Lewis was 9 years old, she made a decision that would affect her life in ways she never dreamed of. "I knew in 4th grade that I wanted to be a teacher. My 4th grade teacher was a quiet, strict, mannerly lady who handled a large group of exuberant children with class and dignity. She definitely made an impression on me," recalls Lewis. Read more...
TCTA members share summer plans
FINALLY, SCHOOL'S OUT AND SUMMER'S HERE. Take a minute and learn what a few of your colleagues have in mind for this summer. Whether it's traveling or working on your master's degree, teaching your grandson to fly a plane, planning a second career or starting a new business, the plans of TCTA members are as interesting as they are varied. Pour a glass of sweet tea, put on your sunglasses, sit back and enjoy. Read more...
Past-President Janie Baszile elected SBEC Secretary
Former TCTA President Janie Baszile has been elected secretary for the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Appointed to SBEC by the governor in 2006, Baszile is one of four educators serving on the 14-member board, which regulates and oversees all aspects of the preparation, certification, and standards of conduct of public school educators. She is a special education math teacher at the Gerald Cobb 6th grade campus in the Galena Park ISD.
TCTA Executive Board member among top vote-getters for TRS Board position
Nanette Sissney of Whitesboro is one of the top three vote-getters for an active public school employee position on the Teacher Retirement System Board of Trustees. The governor will appoint the trustee from the top three vote-getters, and the appointee must be confirmed by the Senate. Read more...
TCTA members receive H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Awards
Three TCTA members were among the top 30 regional finalists in the 2009 H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Awards competition. Each received two $1,000 grants - one for themselves and one for their schools - and went on to compete at the state level. Read more...
Recently elected TCTA executive board members sworn in
Delegates to the TCTA Convention in February elected the 2009-10 TCTA President-Elect and statewide chairs for the Governance, Legislation, Membership and Professional Rights & Responsibilities committees. Delegates from each TCTA district also elected directors to serve on the TCTA Directors' Council. Read more...
USDE: Texas is first to have its modified standards, assessments approved
The U.S. Department of Education has announced that Texas is the first state to have approved modified academic achievement standards and modified assessments for reading/English language arts, mathematics and science.
35 bills vetoed by the governor
Gov. Rick Perry vetoed 35 bills on June 19, including three education-related bills. Legislation that was not vetoed by June 21 became law. Read more...
Schools may offer swine flu vaccinations in the fall
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sent a letter to educators, informing them that schools could be used as shot clinics. Sebelius told superintendents to prepare for that possibility.
Major issues of the 81st legislative session and TCTA's accomplishments
The 81st legislative session was a hard one to categorize. Though a couple of major education bills passed, it was not a session in which education issues were the focus. With a new, more hands-off House speaker and several state leaders looking ahead to running for re-election or higher office, the politics over the last few months have just been...different. One columnist referred to it as the "Seinfeld Session," the session about nothing. Read more...
TEA accepting comments on proposed new career and technology TEKS
The earliest possible date for adoption of rules for new career and technology TEKS is July 16 at the State Board of Education meeting. To see the proposed TEKS and submit comments, see the Texas Education Agency's website.
Warning by U.S. Secretary of Education to states with charter caps
Arne Duncan issued a warning Monday: "States that do not have public charter laws or put artificial caps on the growth of charter schools will jeopardize their applications under the Race to the Top Fund." The $4.35 billion in "Race to the Top" money will be awarded by the secretary for innovation in education; states can begin applying for the funds in October. Texas has a cap on the number of open-enrollment charter schools that can be issued by the State Board of Education and legislation filed to lift the cap during the most recent legislative session failed. Read the full story on USDE’s website.
New student loan repayment option available
July 1 is always an important date for federal student loans – it’s the day when adjustments to loan terms and interest rates take effect – but this year’s changes are especially valuable and timely because a major new repayment option, Income-Based Repayment (IBR), becomes available for the first time. At least a million federal student loan borrowers will be able to lower their monthly loan payments through this program, providing much-needed financial relief. Read more...
Majority of students meet TAKS promotion requirements
The Texas Education Agency has announced that 93 percent of the state's 3rd-grade students met a significant promotion requirement by passing the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) reading test this spring. Passing rates improved for most grades and subjects. Read the press release.
More news items of interest
Updated: 07/02/09
