Advocacy Blog

Appointed a decade ago, the education commissioner insists that when he has direct oversight, academic gains follow. His critics await better student outcomes.

ATPE remembers 9/11. Plus: Catch up on preliminary budget hearings covering vouchers and TRS, as well as SBOE’s approval of controversial social studies standards.

The joint budget committee also received the Teacher Retirement System appropriations request. The TRS funding period is currently 35 years, an increase driven by HB 2 pay raises.

Information regarding a TRS-related ballot measure in November 2026 is outdated and incorrect. The posts reference Proposition 9 from the November 2023 election.

The new standards, which have generated debate over the treatment of certain historical and religious topics, will take effect during the 2033-24 school year.

SBOE questions Morath on agency accountability and more, plus the comptroller seeks to double state spending on private school vouchers.

The push to more than double spending on vouchers comes as state leaders have directed most state agencies to reduce their base budget requests by 3%.

The commissioner’s regular SBOE appearance covered a wide range of hot-button topics, including Bluebonnet Learning supply issues and state takeovers.

Verify your voter registration and begin your candidate research on ATPE’s TeachtheVote.org.