We've had an overwhelming response to our survey on challenges teachers are facing this school year. The chart below offers a quick look at the overall results (click on it to see the full results). In the coming weeks, we'll be taking a deeper look into the big issues and questions members raised to offer guidance and resources. We appreciate the feedback, and we will be sharing it with lawmakers, Commissioner Morath and other policymakers to let them know what our members are saying as we continue our advocacy efforts.

No time for planning? Having to eat lunch with students every day? Are you being asked to do too many things? Although the laws related to many of these issues are different, you can use similar approaches to try to solve them. Join TCTA staff attorneys for advice, solutions and options to help with a variety of stressful situations at school during TCTA's Spotlight Session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12. The free one-hour webinar will include time for members' questions. Click here to register.

The federal government is investigating the Texas Education Agency after deeming that its guidance issued last week prohibiting mask mandates in schools may be “preventing school districts in the state from considering or meeting the needs of students with disabilities.”

On Friday, TEA updated its public health guidance to say school districts could not require face coverings, citing court decisions allowing Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order prohibiting local mask mandates to remain in effect. The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights launched the investigation on Tuesday.

In a letter to Education Commissioner Mike Morath, federal officials said the investigation will focus on whether or not students with disabilities who are at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are prevented from safely returning to in-person education, which would violate federal law.

The issue continues to make its way through the courts as districts are reporting nearly as many COVID-19 cases in the first month of the 2021-22 school year as in the entire 2020-21 school year. But the situation is improving. Hospitalization rates are declining across much of Texas, and Pfizer and BioNTech announced this week that their COVID-19 vaccine is effective and safe in children ages 5-11. The companies plan to apply for FDA emergency authorization by the end of the month, which means more children likely will be eligible for vaccines before winter, when many health officials expect another surge in COVID-19 cases.

This week, the FDA also approved a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for certain populations at higher risk of infection or complications from COVID-19, including all adults age 65 and older as well as health care workers, teachers and day care staff, grocery store employees, and those working with homeless populations or prisoners.

You can find the latest guidance in TCTA's COVID-19 FAQs for 2021-22. This week, we added information about flexibility for educator certification assignments to address challenges due to COVID. Members with questions or concerns about their district's policies should call 888-879-8282 to speak with a staff attorney.

The third special session of the 87th Legislature began Monday. The Senate took quick action, holding hearings Tuesday on bills including SB 3, the bill addressing transgender students participating in UIL athletic competitions, and SB 1, which proposes to use surplus state funds to lower property taxes. Both bills passed the full Senate on Wednesday. A Senate committee plans hearings on redistricting bills for the Senate and State Board of Education on Friday and Saturday. Click here to read more.

While the House has yet to schedule hearings for Gov. Abbott's priority bills for the special session, the House Public Education Committee has announced a hearing for Tuesday on the increase in migrant children in Texas schools.

Twenty-six Texas schools are among 325 selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in announcing the recipients.

It’s never too soon to start planning and saving for a financially secure retirement. Two videos can help you understand the benefits of your TRS membership and how they will contribute to meeting your retirement needs, understand the importance of personal savings, estimate how much you will need and have in retirement, and more.

Invite new colleagues to join TCTA and earn $25 for every two eligible first-time active members you recruit with our Take 2/Make $25 program.