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.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Aug. 4, 2023
Date Posted: 8/04/2023
ATPE weighs in on current political climate for education in Houston Chronicle story—plus, a look at federal ed prep and special education developments.
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Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 26, 2022
Date Posted: 8/26/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 19, 2022
Date Posted: 8/19/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 12, 2022
Date Posted: 8/12/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 29, 2022
Date Posted: 7/29/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
ATPE urges state lawmakers to provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for TRS retirees
Date Posted: 5/04/2022
At a May 4 meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, ATPE testified that now is the time for an increase in Texas retired educators’ benefits.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 29, 2022
Date Posted: 4/29/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
TRS shares good news about educator health insurance premiums during April 2022 board meeting
Date Posted: 4/29/2022
Texas educators welcomed the TRS board's announcement that TRS-ActiveCare premiums will not increase in the 2022-23 school year.
State to use $435 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding for educator healthcare
Date Posted: 4/28/2022
Texas state leaders made the announcement Thursday that the funding will be used to offset healthcare costs for TRS-ActiveCare members.
House Public Education Committee holds first interim hearing of 2022
Date Posted: 4/26/2022
The committee received an update from Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and discussed two interim charges during the April 26 meeting.
April SBOE meeting begins with TEA discussion of testing out of Reading Academies
Date Posted: 4/06/2022
Education Commissioner Mike Morath and TEA staff answered questions from SBOE members Wednesday about whether some teachers will be able to test out of the Reading Academies.
BREAKING: Lieutenant Governor issues 2022 interim charges for Senate committees
Date Posted: 4/04/2022
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released the list of issues he wants Senate committees to study before the 88th Legislature convenes in January 2023.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 1, 2022
Date Posted: 4/01/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
Governor announces funding flexibility for Texas schools dealing with absences
Date Posted: 3/29/2022
ATPE issued a statement Tuesday welcoming the relief for districts still struggling with COVID-19 challenges.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 18, 2022
Date Posted: 3/18/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
From The Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott tells TEA to create teacher shortage task force
Date Posted: 3/08/2022
Teaching demands during the pandemic have exacerbated the nation’s teacher shortage. Abbott wants a task force to investigate.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 4, 2022
Date Posted: 3/04/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Feb. 4, 2022
Date Posted: 2/04/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
From The Texas Tribune: As culture wars envelop schools, North Texas sees a superintendent exodus
Date Posted: 2/04/2022
Several departures come after months of contentious fights over teaching about slavery, requiring pandemic precautions and limiting what books kids can access.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 28, 2022
Date Posted: 1/28/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 21, 2022
Date Posted: 1/21/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 14, 2022
Date Posted: 1/14/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
From The Texas Tribune: COVID-19 in Texas: Schools struggle to stay open as teachers and bus drivers call in sick
Date Posted: 1/14/2022
School district leaders are desperately trying to fill vacant roles to stay open and some say they have no choice but to close.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 7, 2022
Date Posted: 1/07/2022
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Dec. 17, 2021
Date Posted: 12/17/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Dec. 3, 2021
Date Posted: 12/03/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas trying to reverse learning loss caused by the pandemic
Date Posted: 12/02/2021
The pandemic has undone years of educational gains in Texas schools. Here’s what the road to recovery looks like.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Nov. 19, 2021
Date Posted: 11/19/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
At SBOE meeting, commissioner says no guidance yet on new civics curriculum law compliance
Date Posted: 11/17/2021
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said his agency has yet to offer educators any guidance for complying with Senate Bill 3, which takes effect in a few weeks.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Nov. 12, 2021
Date Posted: 11/12/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Federal judge sides with disability rights group on local control of school mask mandates
Date Posted: 11/11/2021
The court ruled Nov. 10 that Gov. Abbott cannot prohibit Texas public schools from imposing mask requirements.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Nov. 5, 2021
Date Posted: 11/05/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 29, 2021
Date Posted: 10/29/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 22, 2021
Date Posted: 10/22/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
ATPE urges Congress to support school workers and facilities improvements under infrastructure plan
Date Posted: 10/22/2021
In a letter to the Texas delegation, ATPE urges Congress to keep school funding elements in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan being negotiated in Washington, D.C.
White House unveils COVID-19 vaccination plan for children aged 5-11
Date Posted: 10/20/2021
The Biden administration announced how it will make the vaccines, once approved by the FDA and CDC, accessible to families with younger children.
87th Texas Legislature adjourns third (and final?) special session
Date Posted: 10/19/2021
Lawmakers wrapped up the third special session of 2021 after passing several controversial bills, including redistricting legislation that will determine partisan control of Texas for the next 10 years.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 15, 2021
Date Posted: 10/15/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 8, 2021
Date Posted: 10/08/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Texas legislative budget committees consider bills to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds on TRS healthcare
Date Posted: 10/06/2021
A pair of bills, SB 8 and HB 145, seek to appropriate $286 million in federal relief funds to cover COVID-related health care expenses for TRS insurance plans.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Sept. 24, 2021
Date Posted: 9/24/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas' ban on school mask mandates draws federal investigation for possibly violating the rights of students with disabilities
Date Posted: 9/22/2021
The U.S. Department of Education announced the inquiry days after the Texas Education Agency quietly updated its guidance to say school districts can’t require masks.
Texas Legislature convenes for third special session
Date Posted: 9/20/2021
Redistricting, vaccine mandates, and transgender student athletes are on the agenda for the special session beginning Sept. 20, 2021.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Sept. 17, 2021
Date Posted: 9/17/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 10, 2021
Date Posted: 9/10/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 3, 2021
Date Posted: 9/03/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
A surprise sine die for the Texas Legislature’s second special session of 2021
Date Posted: 9/03/2021
In a rapid and unexpected turn of events, the Texas House and Senate called final adjournment of the session after passing a few education bills Thursday night, Sept. 2, 2021.
Commissioner tells SBOE to expect no changes to STAAR testing this year
Date Posted: 9/01/2021
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath answered questions from the State Board of Education Wednesday, September 1, 2021, touching on topics from STAAR to virtual education.
House Public Education Committee votes to advance civics curriculum bill, defers action on other controversial bills
Date Posted: 8/31/2021
The committee convened late Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 31, 2021, to vote on pending legislation. A civics bill advanced, but members could not agree on other controversial proposals.
Texas House Public Education Committee advances accelerated learning bill, debates masks
Date Posted: 8/31/2021
The committee met Monday, August 30, 2021, to debate mask mandates and changes to accelerated instruction laws. Another meeting is set for Tuesday.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 27, 2021
Date Posted: 8/27/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Texas Governor expands prohibition on vaccine mandates, urges similar legislative action in new executive order
Date Posted: 8/25/2021
Gov. Greg Abbott released the new order Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, reiterating that local governmental entities cannot mandate COVID-19 vaccinations, even if they are fully FDA-approved.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: August 20, 2021
Date Posted: 8/20/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: August 13, 2021
Date Posted: 8/13/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: August 6, 2021
Date Posted: 8/06/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Abbott calls second special session with broader education agenda
Date Posted: 8/05/2021
Gov. Greg Abbott released an expanded agenda for a second special session to begin Saturday, August 7, 2021.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 30, 2021
Date Posted: 7/30/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
New Abbott executive order bans local mask, vaccine requirements
Date Posted: 7/29/2021
In the order issued July 29, Gov. Greg Abbott prohibits local cities, counties, and school districts from requiring masks or COVID-19 immunizations.
New CDC guidance recommends universal mask-wearing in schools
Date Posted: 7/27/2021
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced the new recommendations during a press conference held July 27, 2021.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 23, 2021
Date Posted: 7/23/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 2, 2021
Date Posted: 7/02/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news, legislative updates, and regulatory developments.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas STAAR test results dipped dramatically during coronavirus pandemic, especially in math
Date Posted: 6/30/2021
The drop was more significant in districts that had most of their instruction online, compared to districts with more in-person classes.
Commissioner updates SBOE on legislation, charter applicants
Date Posted: 6/23/2021
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath spoke to the State Board of Education (SBOE) Wednesday at the board’s June meeting.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 4, 2021
Date Posted: 6/04/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news and legislative updates.
Highlights and lowlights of the 2021 legislative session
Date Posted: 6/02/2021
The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die Monday, May 31. ATPE highlights a few of the major education bills passed.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 28, 2021
Date Posted: 5/28/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news and legislative updates.
Texas lawmakers pass more education bills amid rising tension between House and Senate in the session’s final days
Date Posted: 5/26/2021
Bills on school accountability sanctions and special education survived House deadlines. The Senate voted on the final budget Wednesday and loaded up a school finance bill with amendments.
Senate Education Committee holds final meeting of session
Date Posted: 5/25/2021
The committee held its final meeting of the 87th legislative session on Monday, May 24, advancing a few more House bills to the Senate floor.
Senate Education Committee approves virtual school expansion and numerous other bills during Saturday night meeting
Date Posted: 5/23/2021
During a late-night May 22 meeting, the committee approved legislation to expand virtual education in Texas and took votes on many other pending bills.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 21, 2021
Date Posted: 5/21/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news and legislative updates.
Texas House Public Education Committee hears testimony and votes on controversial special education bill
Date Posted: 5/18/2021
The committee met Tuesday, May 18, to hear testimony on Senate Bill 1716 and consider changes to the bill before recommending it to the full House.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 30, 2021
Date Posted: 4/30/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news and legislative updates.
Texas officials announce release of federal COVID-19 relief funds to school districts
Date Posted: 4/28/2021
School districts can apply for part of the $11.2 billion in federal ESSER III funds starting April 29.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 23, 2021
Date Posted: 4/23/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news and legislative updates.
Texas House approves state budget bill after adding pro-public education amendments
Date Posted: 4/23/2021
The Texas House spent 12 hours Thursday debating amendments to SB 1, making several changes to the proposed state budget that demonstrate support for public education.
TRS and Texas Legislature address important policy issues for retired educators this week
Date Posted: 4/16/2021
The TRS board addressed an issue that could spike healthcare costs for active educators and passed a rule to help districts and retirees to work together to combat learning loss.
Texas Education Commissioner addresses STAAR failure at Wednesday’s SBOE meeting
Date Posted: 4/14/2021
Commissioner Mike Morath acknowledged last week’s tech-related failure to administer STAAR tests in a presentation to the State Board of Education Wednesday, April 14.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 9, 2021
Date Posted: 4/09/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news and legislative developments.
Texas Senate Education Committee hears bills on educator training, curriculum, and more at April 8 meeting
Date Posted: 4/08/2021
The committee listened to testimony on roughly a dozen bills but did not take any votes at its meeting Thursday, April 8, 2021.
Texas House committee approves controversial bills on school takeovers, virtual learning, and more
Date Posted: 4/07/2021
The House Public Education Committee briefly met April 7, voting on several of its pending bills, including a few opposed by ATPE and other public education groups.
From The Texas Tribune: First day of STAAR testing canceled for thousands of students experiencing technical issues across Texas
Date Posted: 4/06/2021
Texas officials mandated that students take STAAR tests in person this year at monitored test sites, although millions of students are still learning remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 26, 2021
Date Posted: 3/26/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news and legislative developments.
U.S. Department of Education hosts national school reopening summit
Date Posted: 3/24/2021
The March 24 online event featured panels of educators and students from around the country discussing best practices for school safety and instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 19, 2021
Date Posted: 3/19/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s state and federal education news.
Commissioner responds to bipartisan legislators’ letter requesting STAAR opt-out
Date Posted: 3/18/2021
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath wrote back to a bipartisan group of Texas House members, denying their request for a STAAR test opt-out mechanism for students.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 12, 2021
Date Posted: 3/12/2021
A look at this week's education news highlights from ATPE Governmental Relations.
State legislators avert voucher debate in March 11 hearing on pandemic-related bill
Date Posted: 3/11/2021
The House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on a substitute version of House Bill 3, relating to the state’s response to the pandemic. The original bill included a private school voucher.
Congress passes American Rescue Plan Act for COVID-19 relief
Date Posted: 3/11/2021
President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package into law Thursday, March 11, ahead of a prime-time speech to address implementation plans.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: March 5, 2021
Date Posted: 3/05/2021
The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps this week’s education news.
ATPE: "Extending the Hold Harmless Provision is Critical, Welcome Step to Providing Our Schools with the Aid They Need."
Date Posted: 3/04/2021
State’s largest educator association thanks state leadership for listening to education community and helping stave off damaging budget cuts due to low attendance numbers caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
Update on how the governor’s removal of the statewide mask mandate affects public schools
Date Posted: 3/03/2021
TEA has released new health and safety guidance reaffirming that masks must still be worn in schools but giving school boards the ability to opt out.
Teachers, school staff now eligible for vaccines
Date Posted: 3/03/2021
The Biden administration has directed all vaccine providers in the U.S. to begin providing vaccines to teachers, school staff, and child care workers.
ATPE responds to governor's removal of statewide mask mandate
Date Posted: 3/02/2021
Gov. Abbott announced he is lifting the statewide mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions, but he did not mention schools during today's press conference.
House Public Education Committee holds first hearing of 2021
Date Posted: 3/02/2021
The Texas House Public Education Committee held its first hearing this legislative session to hear invited testimony from Education Commissioner Mike Morath.
Public education committee chairman questions need for STAAR
Date Posted: 2/25/2021
During an ATPE-sponsored interview Thursday, the newly appointed chair of the House Public Education Committee said Texas needs to “back off” the STAAR test.
Feds share more detail on testing and accountability waivers
Date Posted: 2/23/2021
The U.S. Department of Education shared information with state officials on possible waivers related to administering tests during the pandemic. ATPE issued a press statement in response.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas students slammed again as storm scrambles already chaotic school year
Date Posted: 2/22/2021
The pandemic had already destabilized parents, teachers and students. Now the winter storm's damage is preventing schools from serving as lifelines for students needing shelter and food.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Feb. 12, 2021
Date Posted: 2/12/2021
Catch up on this week’s education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Morath reflects on online learning, defends STAAR during interview
Date Posted: 2/12/2021
Education Commissioner Mike Morath spoke to the Texas Tribune's Evan Smith about education issues facing Texas amid the pandemic.
ATPE shares federal priorities with the Texas congressional delegation
Date Posted: 2/10/2021
ATPE's Washington-based lobby team is sharing our federal legislative priorities with members of the 117th Congress.
Legislators ask TEA to allow students to opt out of STAAR
Date Posted: 2/09/2021
A bipartisan coalition of legislators wants the state to let students opt out of the 2020-21 STAAR test administration.
SBOE members seek immediate vaccine access for school employees
Date Posted: 2/09/2021
On Monday, members of the State Board of Education asked state officials to grant educators immediate access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Feb. 5, 2021
Date Posted: 2/05/2021
Catch up on this week’s education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Guest Post: Texas educators have earned the higher support of their fellow Texans during pandemic
Date Posted: 2/05/2021
Whether it’s support for additional funding, skepticism about high stakes tests and voucher schemes, majorities of Texans stand with our public schools.
Dr. Miguel Cardona brings his educator voice to Senate confirmation hearing
Date Posted: 2/04/2021
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, President Biden’s Education Secretary nominee sat before a Senate committee weighing his confirmation.
From The Texas Tribune: There aren't enough substitute teachers to step in when coronavirus keeps Texas teachers out of the classroom
Date Posted: 2/03/2021
Administrators, school staff and uncredentialed stand-ins are being sent into classrooms to cover for teachers who fall ill or have to isolate. But those improvisations aren't keeping classrooms staffed.
Feds offer more time for states to request waivers of student testing requirements
Date Posted: 2/01/2021
Some states are already seeking waivers of federal testing requirements, and the Biden administration is now giving them more time to do so. Will Texas follow?
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 29, 2021
Date Posted: 1/29/2021
Catch up on this week's education news from Texas and Washington, DC.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 22, 2021
Date Posted: 1/22/2021
Read this week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Biden takes immediate action on education issues
Date Posted: 1/22/2021
Within his first few days in office, President Joe Biden took several executive actions related to education this week.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 15, 2021
Date Posted: 1/15/2021
Read this week's education news recap, including highlights of the first week of the 87th Legislative Session, from ATPE Governmental Relations.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas schools are wary of losing funding gains lawmakers provided in 2019
Date Posted: 1/15/2021
A school finance bill in 2019 boosted funding for districts, but the pandemic has since added layers of financial uncertainty.
Texas House and Senate adopt rules for the 87th Texas Legislature
Date Posted: 1/15/2021
The Texas House and Senate voted this week on rules and procedures outlining how each chamber will conduct its business this session.
TEA enrollment data show youngest Texas students aren’t in school
Date Posted: 1/12/2021
ATPE summarizes a new report comparing public school enrollment changes from October 2019 to October 2020, showing a drop in the number of students attending school in person.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Jan. 8, 2021
Date Posted: 1/08/2021
Read this week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team for Jan. 8, 2021.
Texas legislative session begins in one week
Date Posted: 1/05/2021
The 87th Texas Legislature will convene Tuesday, January 12. ATPE's lobby team looks at the plans for opening day.
Congress passed a coronavirus relief bill that the president may not sign
Date Posted: 12/23/2020
Congress finally passed a coronavirus relief package after months of negotiations. Will the president sign it into law?
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Dec. 18, 2020
Date Posted: 12/18/2020
This week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team for Dec. 18, 2020.
Governor Abbott discusses vaccine distribution in Texas
Date Posted: 12/17/2020
The governor discussed COVID-19 vaccines at a morning press conference, expressing hope that teachers will be vaccinated early.
ATPE urges Congress to extend federal COVID-19-related paid leave benefits into 2021
Date Posted: 12/17/2020
The conditions that necessitated paid sick and family medical leave extensions as part of COVID-19 relief continue to exist, even with potential vaccine arrival.
ATPE asks governor to extend “hold harmless” protections for school funding
Date Posted: 12/16/2020
ATPE joins other education groups seeking to extend school funding protections due to COVID-19.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Dec. 11, 2020
Date Posted: 12/11/2020
Read this week’s education news, including a big accountability announcement, final 2020 meetings for a few state boards, coronavirus developments, session preparations, and more.
A roundup of ATPE's latest advocacy efforts regarding COVID-19
Date Posted: 12/08/2020
As the Texas education community deals with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, ATPE continues to advocate for its members and students.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Dec. 4, 2020
Date Posted: 12/04/2020
As we roll on toward the end of the year, stay on top of the education news with this week's highlights from ATPE Governmental Relations.
ATPE’s statement on COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans
Date Posted: 12/03/2020
Read ATPE's response to plans for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas families say remote learning isn't working and they want it fixed
Date Posted: 11/20/2020
Almost midway through the school year, it has become increasingly clear that virtual learning is failing a sizable number of Texas public school students whose parents decided to keep them home as COVID-19 grips the state.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Nov. 20, 2020
Date Posted: 11/20/2020
ATPE wishes every Teach the Vote reader a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Take a break from meal-planning to read this week's education news highlights from ATPE Governmental Relations.
Texas schools may access federal funds to reimburse remote learning costs
Date Posted: 11/19/2020
Earlier this year Congress passed the CARES Act to provide pandemic relief funds to individuals, as well as K-12 schools.
ATPE releases report on educator experiences during COVID-19
Date Posted: 11/18/2020
Educators find themselves in an “impossible situation” as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the state of Texas and are increasingly dissatisfied with state and district leadership’s handling of the crisis.
ATPE commends legislators for joining the push for STAAR waivers
Date Posted: 11/18/2020
Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), joined by 67 of his Texas House colleagues, sent a letter to the Texas commissioner of education today calling for the cancellation of this school year's STAAR tests.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Nov. 13, 2020
Date Posted: 11/13/2020
From COVID-19 to Social Security and everything in between, check out this week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team on this Friday the 13th.
From The Texas Tribune: A presentation on public education in rural Texas
Date Posted: 11/11/2020
This week The Texas Tribune is hosting a free, online symposium on "The Future of Rural Texas."
ATPE again urges state officials to waive student testing requirements during COVID-19
Date Posted: 11/11/2020
ATPE sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott November 11 seeking relief for Texas public schools as they face rigid testing and accountability requirements while still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Nov. 6, 2020
Date Posted: 11/06/2020
It's been a long week, but the election isn't the only thing happening. Catch up with these news highlights from ATPE Governmental Relations.
ATPE criticizes state's response to local COVID-19 issues
Date Posted: 11/05/2020
On Monday, November 2, ATPE Executive Director Shannon Holmes sent a letter to Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath to complain about the state's recent handling of certain local COVID-19 issues.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 30, 2020
Date Posted: 10/30/2020
From ATPE Governmental Relations, here are this week's spooky news highlights in the education world.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 23, 2020
Date Posted: 10/23/2020
Here are this week's education news highlights from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Less than two weeks remaining!
Date Posted: 10/23/2020
Early voting continues through Friday, October 30, with Election Day on November 3.
Abbott, TEA launch voucher program for students with disabilities
Date Posted: 10/22/2020
On Oct. 21, Gov. Greg Abbott and TEA announced a new funding program for students with disabilities that is strikingly similar to previous voucher-like privatization proposals.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas schools tell teachers with medical risks to return to classrooms
Date Posted: 10/20/2020
Several school districts are trying to accommodate teachers with health conditions who want to work from home, but many are being called back in as more students return to classrooms.
TEA announces modified STAAR progress measure
Date Posted: 10/16/2020
TEA sent a notification to Education Service Centers and school district testing coordinators this week outlining how they intend to approach the STAAR progress measure for the 2020-21 school year.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 16, 2020
Date Posted: 10/16/2020
Here are this week's education news highlights, brought to you by ATPE Governmental Relations.
From The Texas Tribune: Eight Texas school systems will get rapid tests with new pilot program
Date Posted: 10/15/2020
Coronavirus tests with results in 15 minutes or less are coming to a few Texas schools as part of a new pilot program announced Wednesday by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Census deadline is now Oct. 15 following Supreme Court ruling
Date Posted: 10/14/2020
At the request of the Trump administration, the United States Supreme Court yesterday issued an order to cut the 2020 Census count short.
Early voting in the 2020 general election, pandemic-style
Date Posted: 10/13/2020
Today is the first day of early voting in Texas for the 2020 general election. Plenty of time to make a plan and choose a time when the lines may be shorter.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 9, 2020
Date Posted: 10/09/2020
Here are this week's education news highlights, brought to you by ATPE Governmental Relations.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Oct. 2, 2020
Date Posted: 10/02/2020
Here is this week's recap of the latest education news from your ATPE Governmental Relations team.
TEA extends funding hold harmless period, ties to in-person instruction
Date Posted: 10/01/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released a press statement today regarding how Texas public schools will be funded during the pandemic amid unstable enrollment.
Equitable services saga ends following court decision against DeVos rule
Date Posted: 9/30/2020
It seems as though the equitable services saga has finally come to an end. Here's the story from start to finish.
Texas adjusts incorrect data on COVID-19 in schools
Date Posted: 9/28/2020
The state has adjusted numbers on the dashboard managed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) that tracks COVID-19 cases in public schools.
From The Texas Tribune: Federal judge blocks Texas' elimination of straight-ticket voting
Date Posted: 9/26/2020
Less than three weeks before early voting begins, a U.S. district judge has blocked Texas from eliminating straight-ticket voting as an option for people who go to the polls this November.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 25, 2020
Date Posted: 9/25/2020
Here is this week's recap of the latest education news from your ATPE Governmental Relations team.
U.S. Department of Education hosts webinar on school reopening
Date Posted: 9/23/2020
The U.S. Department of Education hosted a virtual panel presentation today, Sept. 23, on successful strategies to reopen schools this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 18, 2020
Date Posted: 9/18/2020
Texas is set to reopen further next week, just as most schools have started the new school year. For more on recent developments, here is this week's recap from ATPE Governmental Relations.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 11, 2020
Date Posted: 9/11/2020
Here is a look at this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
ATPE urges Congress to keep private school vouchers out of COVID-19 relief legislation
Date Posted: 9/10/2020
Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate shared their latest proposal for COVID-19 relief legislation, termed the "Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act."
Senate task force includes ATPE recommendations in letter to education commissioner
Date Posted: 9/09/2020
The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus issued a letter signed by all 12 caucus members to Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath last week with recommendations to assist Texas schools.
Teachers, superintendents, and commissioner speak at Tribune Festival
Date Posted: 9/09/2020
Rather than an in-person event jam-packed with speakers over a few days, this year's festival is taking place virtually throughout the entire month of September.
From The Texas Tribune: Many Texas students will return to classrooms Tuesday. Little will be normal.
Date Posted: 9/08/2020
As students across Texas return to schools for in-person classes, there will be masks, distancing and lunches eaten at desks. Many students will remain at home, joining in on laptops and phones.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Sept. 4, 2020
Date Posted: 9/04/2020
Here is a summary of this week's education news from ATPE Governmental Relations.
TEA adds "Project Restore" trauma training to COVID-19 resources
Date Posted: 9/03/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has launched a trauma-informed training webinar series called "Project Restore."
Betsy DeVos tells states not to expect student testing waivers
Date Posted: 9/03/2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos sent a letter to the top school official in every state today regarding federal requirements for student testing in the 2020-21 school year.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 28, 2020
Date Posted: 8/28/2020
Whether you're back in class or still getting ready to meet your new students, check out this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
COVID case reporting in schools and more updates from TEA
Date Posted: 8/27/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released official correspondence today detailing COVID-19 case reporting in schools.
ATPE's timeline of COVID-19 in Texas and our association's response
Date Posted: 8/25/2020
ATPE has launched a new timeline allowing website visitors to visualize the growth of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, related governmental developments, and our association's response to the crisis.
TEA updates its COVID-19 resources to include case reporting instructions and educator wellness guidance
Date Posted: 8/21/2020
TEA announced two new resources that educators and parents have been requesting: guidance on promoting educator well-being and information about COVID-19 case reporting in Texas public schools.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 21, 2020
Date Posted: 8/21/2020
Read this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 14, 2020
Date Posted: 8/14/2020
Stay up-to-date with this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: Aug. 7, 2020
Date Posted: 8/07/2020
Check out this week's wrap-up from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Food for thought: School nutrition and COVID-19
Date Posted: 8/04/2020
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Texas in March, one of our first concerns was how students who normally relied on the school for meals would continue to have access to nutritious food.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 31, 2020
Date Posted: 7/31/2020
Read this week's wrap-up from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
SBEC holds special meeting to discuss educator preparation amid COVID-19
Date Posted: 7/31/2020
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) met today to discuss a special rule to address educator preparation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another round of federal stimulus inching closer to reality
Date Posted: 7/28/2020
There is much work to be done to negotiate a plan that can pass out of both chambers.
BREAKING: Schools receive updated TEA guidance on closures, reflecting new advice from attorney general
Date Posted: 7/28/2020
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a press release sharing a letter he penned about local authorities' power (or lack thereof) to restrict schools from reopening for on-campus instruction.
Summary of July 24 SBEC meeting
Date Posted: 7/24/2020
SBEC met today regarding the adoption of five items related to the implementation of the Science of Teaching Reading and a proposed fix for expiring Legacy Master Teacher certificates.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 24, 2020
Date Posted: 7/24/2020
With the start of school just around the corner, it's been another busy week for ATPE and the education community. Read about this week's developments below from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Congressional panel discusses school reopening, safety considerations
Date Posted: 7/23/2020
The U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education met July 23 to discuss the safe reopening of public schools across the nation.
Texas projected to face $4.6 billion deficit by the end of the current biennium
Date Posted: 7/22/2020
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the elected official charged with overseeing the state's finances, now expects Texas will face a $4.6 billion deficit by the end of the current two-year budget cycle.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 17, 2020
Date Posted: 7/17/2020
Read this week's wrap-up from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
BREAKING: TEA issues new reopening guidance; ATPE deems it insufficient to ensure safety
Date Posted: 7/17/2020
TEA announced it would allow school districts to begin their school year with a four-week transition period of virtual instruction (up from three weeks permitted under prior TEA guidance).
From The Texas Tribune: Texas schools can stay closed if local health officials order it
Date Posted: 7/15/2020
Local public health officials will be able to keep schools closed for in-person instruction this fall without risking state education funding, a TEA spokesperson confirmed to The Texas Tribune.
ATPE releases plan with new recommendations for reopening schools
Date Posted: 7/14/2020
The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) released new recommendations Tuesday including a statewide plan to facilitate a safer start to the 2020-21 school year.
ATPE expects more from state efforts to protect educators
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
Our statement on the guidance reflects our overall disappointment in the lack of clarity and specificity provided to educators who are concerned for their health and safety when returning to school.
Texas election roundup: Last chance to vote in the runoffs!
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
Friday, July 10, is the last day to early vote before the July 14 runoff elections across Texas, and campaigns are in the final sprint to the finish line.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 10, 2020
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
ATPE closed out its first virtual Summit today, which featured several discussions about COVID-19 and school safety. Read more about what happened this week from our Governmental Relations team.
ATPE House of Delegates adopts resolutions on COVID-19 educational considerations
Date Posted: 7/10/2020
The ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) met Thursday, July 9, for the association's annual business meeting.
BREAKING: TEA posts updated public health guidance for school reopening
Date Posted: 7/07/2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today released a new Public Health Planning Guidance document for the 2020-21 school year.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: July 3, 2020
Date Posted: 7/03/2020
Here is our wrap-up of this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mandates face masks in most counties
Date Posted: 7/03/2020
Abbott previously resisted calls for such an order and at one point banned local governments from requiring masks.
Setting the record straight on the myth of "temporary" teacher retirement
Date Posted: 7/01/2020
Exactly what is the law, and what considerations should educators be aware of as they are making retirement decisions in the wake of COVID-19?
ATPE survey, TEA data show pandemic-related decline in student engagement
Date Posted: 7/01/2020
When COVID-19 sent our educational system into triage mode, educators were asked by TEA to document "student engagement" in the state's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS).
Commissioner discusses COVID-19 issues at the June SBOE meeting
Date Posted: 6/30/2020
The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) is holding its June meeting this week.
Voting in a pandemic: One ATPE lobbyist's experience
Date Posted: 6/29/2020
ATPE Lobbyist Andrea Chevalier shares her early voting experience.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 26, 2020
Date Posted: 6/26/2020
In this week's wrap-up, the ATPE Governmental Relations team will fill you in on the latest happenings.
Texas election roundup: Early voting begins Monday, June 29
Date Posted: 6/25/2020
Early voting begins Monday, June 29, 2020, for the July 14 primary runoff elections across the state of Texas, as well as for a special election to fill an open Texas Senate seat in Central Texas.
DeVos issues rule on sending stimulus funds to private schools
Date Posted: 6/25/2020
The U.S. Dept. of Education issued a final interim rule to address disdain over its previous guidance directing public school districts to share federal emergency relief funds with private schools.
ATPE reacts to preview of TEA's health guidance for next school year
Date Posted: 6/24/2020
ATPE issued a statement this afternoon on a draft document that was widely circulated today regarding state officials' plans for the next school year.
TEA shares remote learning guidance for fall 2020
Date Posted: 6/24/2020
TEA has been working on a funding framework that encompasses distance learning options within existing law.
From The Texas Tribune: Draft documents show Texas planning few mandatory safety measures when public schools reopen in fall
Date Posted: 6/23/2020
Texas education officials are envisioning a largely hands-off approach to helping school districts bring students back to campus this fall.
Governor acknowledges COVID-19 surge, but no new mandates
Date Posted: 6/22/2020
Gov. Greg Abbott acknowledged that cases of COVID-19 are surging in Texas, but did not issue any new executive orders or require any additional action be taken to decrease the spread.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 19, 2020
Date Posted: 6/19/2020
For what happened in education this week, read this from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas students will return to school campuses this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott tells lawmakers
Date Posted: 6/18/2020
Texas students will be returning to public schools in person this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott told state lawmakers Thursday morning.
ATPE responds to plans for in-person instruction this fall
Date Posted: 6/18/2020
responded Thursday to news that Gov. Greg Abbott plans for Texas schools to resume in-person instruction when the 2020-21 school year begins this fall.
Educators cite health and safety as their top concern in ATPE survey
Date Posted: 6/15/2020
Educators say health and safety issues are their biggest concerns heading into the next school year, according to results of a statewide poll of more than 4,200 educators recently conducted by ATPE.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 12, 2020
Date Posted: 6/12/2020
Check out this week's education news from ATPE Governmental Relations.
SBEC meets to discuss COVID-19 considerations for certification candidates
Date Posted: 6/11/2020
SBEC met off their normal schedule today to discuss a new coronavirus-inspired rule regarding face-to-face requirements for certification candidates in educator preparation programs.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: June 5, 2020
Date Posted: 6/05/2020
See our headlines and read a recap of education developments this week from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Another court decision on mail-in voting
Date Posted: 6/04/2020
For weeks there has been a back-and-forth battle being waged over Texas voting laws, but that fight may be drawing closer to an end.
Virtual charter school students experienced learning loss, study shows
Date Posted: 6/03/2020
Virtual schooling is in the spotlight right now, especially with many parents considering how to approach returning to school this fall in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 29, 2020
Date Posted: 5/29/2020
As you start your summer, relax and enjoy some reading on this week's education news from the ATPE lobby team.
Texas election roundup: Voter safety and a court ruling
Date Posted: 5/28/2020
The on-again, off-again saga of whether or not all Texas voters can vote by mail continued this week with a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court yesterday.
Surveys illuminate parent and teacher worries in light of COVID-19
Date Posted: 5/27/2020
With numerous unknowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to gauge how parents, families, and educators feel about the current state of emergency learning and potential paths forward.
Dispute over CARES Act funding for private schools intensifies
Date Posted: 5/26/2020
In April, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos directed public school districts to use CARES Act funds to provide "equitable services" to non-profit private school students in their bounds.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 22, 2020
Date Posted: 5/22/2020
Catch up on this week's education news.
Texas election roundup: The mail voting seesaw
Date Posted: 5/21/2020
The back and forth over calls to expand mail-in voting peaked this week with a flurry of court orders, further confusing what has become a dramatic, partisan fight.
Texas signals it may send federal K-12 dollars to private schools
Date Posted: 5/20/2020
Federal stimulus funding to help states and school districts deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic could find its way into the coffers of private schools and virtual education vendors.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas schools can hold summer classes, but students can't be required to attend in person
Date Posted: 5/19/2020
Texas public school districts may offer summer school in their classrooms as early as June 1, but they cannot require any students to attend in person.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 15, 2020
Date Posted: 5/15/2020
Here's a look at this week's news.
Texas election roundup: Senate special election
Date Posted: 5/14/2020
Wednesday, May 13, 2020, marked the deadline for candidates to file for the legislative seat recently vacated by former state Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin).
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 8, 2020
Date Posted: 5/08/2020
Here is this week's education news from the ATPE lobby team.
Recapping education changes due to the coronavirus
Date Posted: 5/08/2020
New information surfaces daily amid an ever-developing curve of cases, while educators work speedily to learn and implement effective distance learning methods.
From The Texas Tribune: "Between 0 and 100%": Texas schools weigh the odds of students returning this fall
Date Posted: 5/05/2020
It's way too early to know how COVID-19 cases will trend over the next few months, but school leaders are trying to draw up preliminary plans for bringing students back to classrooms.
Highlights of the May 2020 SBEC meeting
Date Posted: 5/01/2020
In its first meeting conducted via Zoom, the certification board discussed educators and coronavirus, Master Teachers, and more.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: May 1, 2020
Date Posted: 5/01/2020
Check out the latest installment of education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
DeVos uses federal coronavirus aid to fund "microgrant" vouchers
Date Posted: 4/30/2020
As we previously reported, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, a longtime champion of privatization, has been advocating for federal funding of "microgrants."
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 24, 2020
Date Posted: 4/24/2020
Here is a look at this week's education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: Texans could face serious decision whether to vote during pandemic
Date Posted: 4/23/2020
Texas voters may have a difficult decision ahead of them when it comes to casting their ballot in the upcoming runoff elections.
BREAKING: Abbott says schools to remain closed, offers early plan to open other Texas businesses
Date Posted: 4/17/2020
Today, Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in which he outlined early plans for reopening the state to commerce.
U.S. Dept. of Education releases first K-12 coronavirus dollars
Date Posted: 4/15/2020
Ever since the CARES Act became law on on March 27, 2020, education stakeholders have anxiously awaited the release of billions of federal dollars for education in the states.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 10, 2020
Date Posted: 4/10/2020
Check out this edition of Teach the Vote's Week in Review.
Texas educator preparation and testing in viral limbo
Date Posted: 4/08/2020
Uncertainty around educator preparation and testing in Texas during the novel coronavirus pandemic has left some aspiring and current educators wondering, "What's next?"
State comptroller says Texas is in a recession
Date Posted: 4/07/2020
In an April 7 interview with The Texas Tribune, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar repeated a statement he had already made to legislators regarding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ATPE joins call for moratorium on charter expansions
Date Posted: 4/06/2020
ATPE has joined with 17 other education organizations in a call for a moratorium on the expansion of charter schools across the state during the coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: April 3, 2020
Date Posted: 4/03/2020
Check out the latest education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
Texas election roundup: More convention and election delays
Date Posted: 4/02/2020
Like the elections themselves, political party conventions across the country are struggling to make adjustments under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are "microgrants" a new name for DeVos' same old voucher proposal?
Date Posted: 4/01/2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is asking Congress to fund "microgrants" to provide money for online learning during the coronavirus outbreak.
BREAKING: New executive order by Gov. Abbott extends closure of school facilities
Date Posted: 3/31/2020
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference today addressing the state's response to the new coronavirus pandemic.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 27, 2020
Date Posted: 3/27/2020
As you press on into "pandemic-mode" learning, check out the latest education news from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.
BREAKING: Congress passes third stimulus bill for coronavirus relief
Date Posted: 3/26/2020
Known as the CARES Act, the wide-ranging package is the largest stimulus package, in terms of absolute dollars, in US history.
Texas election roundup: The long delay
Date Posted: 3/26/2020
Election politics is pretty much in a holding pattern across most of Texas as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Teach the Vote's Week in Review: March 20, 2020
Date Posted: 3/20/2020
Read the latest in education news updates from the ATPE Governmental Relations team, including a lighthearted reminder about the importance of teachers.
Feds announce availability of student testing waivers
Date Posted: 3/20/2020
The U.S. Department of Education today signaled willingness to waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-20 school year for students impacted by school closures due to the coronavirus outbreak.
State and federal officials respond to virus with new closures, contemplate aid for schools
Date Posted: 3/19/2020
Regulatory developments stemming from the growing concerns about the new coronavirus pandemic gripping the nation have been occurring swiftly these last two weeks.
Texas election roundup: Municipal elections may be postponed
Date Posted: 3/19/2020
The coronavirus outbreak is affecting everything in Texas, including upcoming municipal elections.
2020 Census: FAQs and coronavirus
Date Posted: 3/18/2020
Have you completed your 2020 Census questionnaire yet?
From The Texas Tribune: Texas' coronavirus strategy is a patchwork of different local rules
Date Posted: 3/17/2020
While other states fighting coronavirus enforce widespread closures, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott goes with a patchwork system.
BREAKING: STAAR testing waived for 2019-20 school year
Date Posted: 3/16/2020
Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced Monday that Texas is waiving STAAR testing requirements for the 2019-20 school year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus and Texas education: Policy implications as of March 16
Date Posted: 3/16/2020
Here's a rundown of the latest information we have so far regarding how the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is impacting the public education system in Texas.