The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.

• ATPE represents you at House Public Education Committee’s likely only interim hearings
• Release of A-F school ratings temporarily blocked
• Rep. Doc Anderson (R–Waco) resigns seat and requests Nov. 5 special election
• First application period for ATPE state committee service open now through Aug. 25

INTERIM HEARING: The House Public Education Committee held two hearings on its interim charges this week as most Texas public schools welcomed students back to class. The Monday and Tuesday hearings are expected to be the committee’s only interim hearings. On Monday, the committee heard testimony on House Bill (HB) 1605, legislation that incentivizes district use of open educational resources (OER), from ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave, as well as testimony against implementation of a private school voucher program from ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter. Read more in this hearing recap from Cave. ATPE Immediate Past State President Jayne Serna testified Tuesday on the detrimental impact of teacher attrition, which is higher among educators who are uncertified. “The most important factor in a successful classroom is the teacher, and the most successful teacher is certified,” Serna stated. Cave has more in this blog post. 

A-F RATINGS: On Monday, Travis County Judge Karin Crump temporarily blocked the Texas Education Agency (TEA) from releasing A-F school ratings for the second consecutive year. The ruling came on the same day that Texas school districts filed a second lawsuit against the state, challenging changes made in the metrics used to evaluate their performance. Learn more in this blog post by ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield.

HD 56: House District (HD) 56 Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson (R–Waco) announced Thursday he is resigning from his seat and has requested that Gov. Greg Abbott (R) order a special election coinciding with the Nov. 5 general election to fill the seat. Anderson had already announced his retirement from the Legislature, but by resigning early, he is aiming to ensure his successor will take office shortly after begin sworn in rather than in January 2025, boosting their seniority over the rest of the incoming freshman class. Anderson was first elected to the House in 2004.

ATPE: Applications are open now through Aug. 25 for service on four ATPE standing committees: Leader Development, Legislative, Membership, and Nomination/Election. All ATPE members are encouraged to apply. Committee meetings are virtual, and committee members not only provide valuable feedback on ATPE initiatives but also play a critical role in ATPE’s governance structure. For instance, the ATPE Legislative Committee reviews and recommends changes to the ATPE Legislative Program, the platform that guides the work of ATPE Governmental Relations in Austin and Washington, D.C. Learn more in this ATPE blog post. A second application period for additional ATPE standing and special committees will take place in November.