August 2017
August 2017
Important update for retirees: TRS-Care list of no cost medications
Date Posted: 8/29/2017
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) has released a list of medications which will be available at no cost to members on the TRS-Care Standard Plan, which will be the plan available to any pre-65 TRS retirees who are not yet Medicare eligible.
Deadline extended for public input on Texas ESSA plan
Date Posted: 8/29/2017
Today's deadline for members of the public to comment on Texas's draft state plan for compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has been extended.
How you can assist Hurricane Harvey relief efforts
Date Posted: 8/28/2017
With ongoing emergency conditions across large parts of the state, many of our members in less affected areas are asking how they can help.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 25, 2017
Date Posted: 8/25/2017
Welcome back to school, educators! Here's this week's ATPE wrap-up of education news.
TEA launches Equity Toolkit for school districts
Date Posted: 8/24/2017
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced a new set of online resources this week aimed to assist districts in submitting Equity Plans as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
ATPE shares input on draft Texas state ESSA plan
Date Posted: 8/24/2017
Earlier today, ATPE submitted the following formal input to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on its draft state plan for compliance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 18, 2017
Date Posted: 8/18/2017
Here's your post-special session edition of ATPE's Teach the Vote weekly wrap-up.
TRS to vote on changes to retiree healthcare plan next week
Date Posted: 8/17/2017
If you are a retired educator or someone planning to retire soon from the profession, you'll be interested in next week's meeting of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees.
Texas House approves Senate's school funding plan, adjourns sine die
Date Posted: 8/16/2017
This evening, the Texas House of Representatives reluctantly voted to accept the Senate's version of a school funding bill that will provide some short-term relief for schools, students, and educators.
Special session update: House rejects amendment targeting payroll deduction; finance negotiations continue
Date Posted: 8/15/2017
Tomorrow is the last day of the special session that has featured a number of education-related debates.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 11, 2017
Date Posted: 8/11/2017
We're heading into the last weekend of the special session, and many bills are still in play. Here's the latest from the ATPE lobby team.
House Public Education Committee winds down in busy special session
Date Posted: 8/10/2017
The House Public Education Committee met Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Over the two days, they considered a dozen bills and voted three out of committee.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 4, 2017
Date Posted: 8/04/2017
Here's a look at this week's education news as reported by the ATPE lobby team.
TEA releases draft Texas plan to satisfy ESSA
Date Posted: 8/03/2017
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released its draft plan Monday to satisfy requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the federal education law that replaced No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
Busy House tackles TRS, vouchers & merit pay
Date Posted: 8/02/2017
The Texas House of Representatives approved a pair of bills designed to aid retired teachers who have experienced sticker shock under new TRS-Care rates that resulted from the legislature’s underfunding of the health care program for retired public school employees.