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It’s time to be a voting advocate for your friends and family
The only way to get Texas moving forward is for educators to command the attention of our elected officials — from the statehouse and the school board room to the White House. We must continue to speak with one voice and again pledge to #VotePublicSchoolsFirst on Nov. 5.
In the Legislature, that means re-electing friendly incumbents and increasing their number. The governor and most other statewide officials are not up this year, but races for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House, the State Board of Education and some local school boards also will be on the ballot.
At the top of the ticket is a contest of stark differences: we can elect a president who will make sure our students can live into their full brilliance by prioritizing our public schools or a president who will demonize them and corporatize our schools, minimizing who has access and opportunities.
Trump is campaigning for Trump, not for Texas’ 5.5 million public school students, their teachers or their families.
Vice President Harris’ track record speaks volumes, she shares educators’ priorities: supporting our students no matter their race, where they live or how much money their parents make. She has worked to strengthen public education, build up the middle class and commit resources to our communities.
TSTA/NEA thanks President Biden, endorses Vice President Kamala Harris in general election
Over the last four years, President Biden distinguished himself as the most pro-public education, pro-union president in history as educators have partnered with him, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to help ensure every student has access to the resources and learning opportunities needed to thrive.
“We celebrate President Biden’s legacy and will be forever grateful for his leadership, and we respect his decision. Educators understand what is at stake in this election. Our students’ futures will be shaped by the decisions made in the Oval Office over the next four years, and the future of our public schools, freedoms, and democracy is on the ballot this fall,” said National Education Association President, Becky Pringle.
NEA members and their students have and continue to feel the positive impacts of a leader in the White House who cares about the work they do each day. The shared leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris delivered for educators and students by expanding access to school meals for 5 million students (about twice the population of Mississippi), investing in student mental health, and providing student debt relief for millions of educators and working families.
NEA members are looking now for a new leader equally dedicated to building the future our students, educators and families deserve.
“We can elect a president who will make sure our students can live into their full brilliance and be exactly who they are without apology or a president who will demonize them and privatize our schools,” said Pringle.
“The Biden-Harris administration has demonstrated strong support for our public schools and students. This is the type of leadership we need in Washington. As an elementary school music teacher and President of North Carolina Association of Educators, I am confident that Vice President Harris will continue prioritizing the needs of our students while also backing the educators who tirelessly serve in our public schools,” said Tamika Walker Kelly.
NEA President Pringle echoed the sentiment of educators around the nation following the endorsement, adding now is the time to unite and ensure Donald Trump, a convicted felon, who has gutted public school programs and plans more of the same does not win in November.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is a tireless advocate for students, public education, and working families. She has the experience, qualifications and dedication needed to continue delivering for students, educators and working families. She has delivered time and again for students and educators, and educators know we can count on her continued partnership in expanding access to free school meals for students, investing in student mental health, working to ensure no educator has to carry the weight of crushing student debt and doing everything possible to keep our communities and schools safe,” said President Pringle.
Harris on Public Education
Vice President Harris’ commitment to public schools started long before she held her current office. First as the attorney general of California and then as U.S. senator from 2017 to 2021, Harris received an “A” grade from the NEA based on how she voted on key legislation, ranging from public education to labor.
In 2020, when Harris ran for the Democratic Party’s nomination then Senator Harris was a key advocate for students and educators and proposed pay increases ($13,500) for every teacher, implementing universal preschool, proposed to increase funding for Head Start and Early Head Start and much more.
Harris has been vocal on many issues connected to education, especially in her opposition to any proposal — including Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign promise — to “divert public school funding to private school vouchers.”
In remarks opposing the nomination of Betsy DeVos, Harris said Trump’s promise “would mean ‘fewer teachers, fewer resources for students and parents.’” She also criticized DeVos’ “record of supporting the growth of largely unregulated charter schools in Michigan,” saying, “We cannot have someone who wants to lead our highest Department of Education who does not support the importance of oversight.”
Most recently, Vice President Harris was instrumental in securing billions of dollars in federal dollars for our public schools as the tie-breaking vote to pass the American Rescue Plan which helped public schools recover from the pandemic. The Biden-Harris Administration has also economically supported our educators through student loan forgiveness and canceled more student debt than any other administration — $168.5 billion in relief for 4.76 million and counting.
The loan forgiveness includes nearly one million public sector workers, including thousands of educators who saw their student loans eliminated through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Harris on Labor
As a U.S. Senator, Harris sponsored the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which guaranteed the right of public employees to organize and collectively bargain in all states.
Collective bargaining and labor rights are a core belief of the Californian who used her voice again to stand up for teachers demanding smaller class sizes and fair pay.
During the 2019 teachers’ strikes in Los Angeles and Oakland, California, Harris said, “I’m standing in solidarity with them as they strike for improved student conditions, such as smaller class sizes and more counselors and librarians…Teachers in my hometown of Oakland will begin striking tomorrow because they know they deserve a raise. It’s shameful that they don’t earn enough to live in the communities where they teach. I firmly support the teachers & hope for a quick resolution.”
Harris on Racial Justice in Education
Vice President Harris is a strong believer in racial justice and during her 2020 campaign proposed to double the size of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division while also enforcing civil rights laws and proposed the passage of new policies designed to protect every child’s right to an education.
In her 2020 campaign policy plan, Harris declared that “meaningful access to education is a fundamental civil right, and, as President, she will continue to fight for all children to have access to a full continuum of early care and learning and a safe, high-quality public education.”
With the NEA’s official endorsement of Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee, educators are rallying behind her with renewed determination and unwavering support.
“This is our moment. We must unite and stand up for our students, many of whom cannot yet vote themselves. We are their voice, and we need to make it loud and clear: Vice President Harris is the choice for their future and ours. The stakes have never been higher, and the choice has never been more clear,” said Tyler Murphy, a high school social studies teacher from Lexington, Kentucky.
An analysis of Project 2025 and impact on public schools
Project 2025 calls for fundamentally and comprehensively reshaping the federal government, centralizing power in the Oval Office while pushing a wide-ranging slate of policies that would profoundly reshape the country and eliminate checks and balances within the government. Among many of its most jarring threats to public education: calling for the elimination of the Department of Education; diverting critical resources from public schools to fund private school vouchers; gutting civil rights protections; dismantling Head Start; eliminating funding for Title I which helps our most vulnerable students; redirecting funding and resources for students with disabilities; driving up costs for student loan repayments and eliminating school nutrition programs — quite literally taking food out of student’s mouths.
88th Texas Legislature, Called Special Sessions and resources
Chaplain law
The school chaplain bill, which TSTA opposes, goes into effect Sept. 1; tell your school boards to say no
This bill (SB 763) will allow school districts to hire or accept the volunteer services of religiously affiliated chaplains to work with or replace professional school counselors in public schools. These individuals will not have to be trained in counseling or be certified as Texas educators or hold professional licenses. Read more
Texas book ban
Through the passage of HB 900, as of September 1, book vendors servicing public schools are now required to submit a list of library materials with a rating system indicating “sexually relevant” or “sexually explicit” content to the Texas Education Agency by April 1, 2024. We are closely following the lawsuit filed by booksellers and First Amendment advocates seeking to overturn the book ban. In the meantime, here is an explainer and timeline on the new law.
Mandatory school drills and active threat exercises
Senate Bill 168, authored by Senator Blanco and signed into law June 14, 2021, requires school districts to adopt trauma-informed methods and policies regarding active shooter drills and exercises. The Texas State Teachers Association supported this legislation as an excellent first step to providing the needed guardrails for mandatory school drills in a way that centers the mental health and well-being of children. Since the filing of SB 168, we have continued to advocate for policies that will reinforce student and teacher protections against trauma-inducing events such as active shooter simulations. TSTA supports the proposed amendments regarding mandatory school drills and active threat exercises. Read more
First and second special sessions
Both the House and Senate have settled up SB 2, SB 3, and HJR 2, the property tax relief bills. When the Senate passed its bills, a one time bonus payment to teachers was added and supported by the full Senate. But, it was the first thing stripped from the bill over in the House. Multiple attempts were made by House Democrats to provide for that pay raise, without success.
When the HJR was received in the Senate, another attempt was made to amend, but again without success. In the Lt. Governor’s own words, teachers will get a raise when a special session is called in the fall, and it will be permanent, not a one time payment. Well, we are no fools, and know what that means… Teachers might get a raise if he gets his voucher scheme. Teachers were yet again used as a pawn in this special session chess game.
The one thing that was true in Patrick’s statement is that there will be yet another special session and a bigger fight ahead, so let’s get ready!
The Legislature convened for its 88th biennial regular session on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. This session, TSTA’s priorities—in addition to killing private school vouchers again—are more funding for public schools, including pay raises for educators; a cost-of-living increase and better healthcare benefits for TRS retirees and a substantial increase in the state’s contribution to healthcare costs for active educators. Our Top Education Issues page has more information about what we’re fighting for this session.
The Texas Tribune also has an explainer for the longstanding and new education issues the Legislature is set to consider.
TSTA and 20 other advocate groups have joined together to make recommendations to the Legislature for addressing serious concerns about charter schools in Texas.
Committee Testimony
Follow our advocacy efforts at the Capitol! TSTA represents the interests of our members and Texas students through lobbying efforts and testimony during session.
Proposed amendment to A-F accountability scheme
Teacher Salary testimony for the Senate Finance Committee
Support school safety and mental health, oppose CSSB 11
TSTA has concerns with bill overhauling minimum salary schedule
TSTA opposes bill revoking SBOE’s ability to veto SBEC rules
TSTA opposes bill increasing the number of guns on campuses
HB 1707 — Factsheet on charter permitting bill; TSTA opposes
HPE April 18, 2023 — Opposing SSES Expansion
HPE April 18, 2023 — Opposing expansion of charter school opening timeline
HB 2729 — Opposing lowering teacher qualifications for PreK
HB 4969 — more member testimony, more voucher schemes
HB 4340 — member testimony, yet another voucher scheme
HB 11 — Concerns with bill removing SBOE authority to review SBEC rules
House Pub Ed — HB 100, Insufficient increase to the basic allotment
Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education — TFA on protecting tenure
Education groups oppose HB 2890 — SBOE voting requirements for charter application approval
TSTA Opposes HB 3 — state mandated armed security on campuses
Testimony on HB 1416 regarding STAAR tutoring requirements
TSTA supports HB 1225 — allow parents to opt their students out of online STAAR testing
Comments on Texas Education Agency budget
TSTA opposes HB 621 — TSTA believes Veterans must still be certified to become classroom teachers
Behavioral Specialist budget rider request
House Appropriations — February 27, 2023
Senate Finance — February 6, 2023
HB31 — Enrollment based funding
Agency Testimony
TSTA hosts a team of dedicated educational policy experts to represent the interests of TSTA members and students at the State Board of Education, State Board for Educator Certification and the Texas Education Agency. Here we’ll post recent testimony that we’ve presented to these agencies and to House and Senate committees.
TEA: Teacher Incentive Allotment rule comments
TEA: Concerning school safety requirements
SBEC: Concerning counseling public school students
Texas Faculty Association Legislative Updates
5/11: SB 17, SB 18 heard in House committee
5/8: Testimony from Pat Heintzelman to House Higher Education Committee in regards to SB 17, the DEI bill, and SB 18, the tenure bill
4/12: Senate Bills on the Move, Accreditation on the Table, Community College Funding Flying
3/31: Strong Showing by Faculty in Senate Hearings
3/24: Critical Race Theory bill, Community College Reform Get First Tests in Committees
3/9: Bill Filing Deadline Looms
3/1: Committee Season Begins; Bill Filing Deadline Looms
2/27: The Weird Calm Before the Big Storm
2/16: Lieutenant Governor Patrick Announces Priorities
Vote Education First in every election!
Now is the time to get educated about changes to the voting process. Check out our voting resources!
Chaplain law
The school chaplain bill, which TSTA opposes, goes into effect Sept. 1; tell your school boards to say no
This bill (SB 763) will allow school districts to hire or accept the volunteer services of religiously affiliated chaplains to work with or replace professional school counselors in public schools. These individuals will not have to be trained in counseling or be certified as Texas educators or hold professional licenses. Read more
Texas book ban
Through the passage of HB 900, as of September 1, book vendors servicing public schools are now required to submit a list of library materials with a rating system indicating “sexually relevant” or “sexually explicit” content to the Texas Education Agency by April 1, 2024. We are closely following the lawsuit filed by booksellers and First Amendment advocates seeking to overturn the book ban. In the meantime, here is an explainer and timeline on the new law.
Mandatory school drills and active threat exercises
Senate Bill 168, authored by Senator Blanco and signed into law June 14, 2021, requires school districts to adopt trauma-informed methods and policies regarding active shooter drills and exercises. The Texas State Teachers Association supported this legislation as an excellent first step to providing the needed guardrails for mandatory school drills in a way that centers the mental health and well-being of children. Since the filing of SB 168, we have continued to advocate for policies that will reinforce student and teacher protections against trauma-inducing events such as active shooter simulations. TSTA supports the proposed amendments regarding mandatory school drills and active threat exercises. Read more
First and second special sessions
Both the House and Senate have settled up SB 2, SB 3, and HJR 2, the property tax relief bills. When the Senate passed its bills, a one time bonus payment to teachers was added and supported by the full Senate. But, it was the first thing stripped from the bill over in the House. Multiple attempts were made by House Democrats to provide for that pay raise, without success.
When the HJR was received in the Senate, another attempt was made to amend, but again without success. In the Lt. Governor’s own words, teachers will get a raise when a special session is called in the fall, and it will be permanent, not a one time payment. Well, we are no fools, and know what that means… Teachers might get a raise if he gets his voucher scheme. Teachers were yet again used as a pawn in this special session chess game.
The one thing that was true in Patrick’s statement is that there will be yet another special session and a bigger fight ahead, so let’s get ready!
The Legislature convened for its 88th biennial regular session on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. This session, TSTA’s priorities—in addition to killing private school vouchers again—are more funding for public schools, including pay raises for educators; a cost-of-living increase and better healthcare benefits for TRS retirees and a substantial increase in the state’s contribution to healthcare costs for active educators. Our Top Education Issues page has more information about what we’re fighting for this session.
The Texas Tribune also has an explainer for the longstanding and new education issues the Legislature is set to consider.
TSTA and 20 other advocate groups have joined together to make recommendations to the Legislature for addressing serious concerns about charter schools in Texas.
Committee Testimony
Follow our advocacy efforts at the Capitol! TSTA represents the interests of our members and Texas students through lobbying efforts and testimony during session.
Support school safety and mental health, oppose CSSB 11
TSTA has concerns with bill overhauling minimum salary schedule
TSTA opposes bill revoking SBOE’s ability to veto SBEC rules
TSTA opposes bill increasing the number of guns on campuses
HB 1707 — Factsheet on charter permitting bill; TSTA opposes
HPE April 18, 2023 — Opposing SSES Expansion
HPE April 18, 2023 — Opposing expansion of charter school opening timeline
HB 2729 — Opposing lowering teacher qualifications for PreK
HB 4969 — more member testimony, more voucher schemes
HB 4340 — member testimony, yet another voucher scheme
HB 11 — Concerns with bill removing SBOE authority to review SBEC rules
House Pub Ed — HB 100, Insufficient increase to the basic allotment
Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education — TFA on protecting tenure
Education groups oppose HB 2890 — SBOE voting requirements for charter application approval
TSTA Opposes HB 3 — state mandated armed security on campuses
Testimony on HB 1416 regarding STAAR tutoring requirements
TSTA supports HB 1225 — allow parents to opt their students out of online STAAR testing
Comments on Texas Education Agency budget
TSTA opposes HB 621 — TSTA believes Veterans must still be certified to become classroom teachers
Behavioral Specialist budget rider request
House Appropriations — February 27, 2023
Senate Finance — February 6, 2023
HB31 — Enrollment based funding
Agency Testimony
TSTA hosts a team of dedicated educational policy experts to represent the interests of TSTA members and students at the State Board of Education, State Board for Educator Certification and the Texas Education Agency. Here we’ll post recent testimony that we’ve presented to these agencies and to House and Senate committees.
TEA: Teacher Incentive Allotment rule comments
TEA: Concerning school safety requirements
SBEC: Concerning counseling public school students
Texas Faculty Association Legislative Updates
5/11: SB 17, SB 18 heard in House committee
5/8: Testimony from Pat Heintzelman to House Higher Education Committee in regards to SB 17, the DEI bill, and SB 18, the tenure bill
4/12: Senate Bills on the Move, Accreditation on the Table, Community College Funding Flying
3/31: Strong Showing by Faculty in Senate Hearings
3/24: Critical Race Theory bill, Community College Reform Get First Tests in Committees
3/9: Bill Filing Deadline Looms
3/1: Committee Season Begins; Bill Filing Deadline Looms
2/27: The Weird Calm Before the Big Storm
2/16: Lieutenant Governor Patrick Announces Priorities
Vote Education First in every election!
Now is the time to get educated about changes to the voting process. Check out our voting resources!