Join us Feb. 1 to learn more about the 2022 elections
Members of TCTA's top-ranked lobby team will provide an overview of the political and legislative landscape for public education in Texas and the importance of teachers voting in the March 1 primaries. They'll also share ideas about how to show support for a candidate and answer questions from members during the next 30-minute Tuesdays with TCTA webinar at 6 p.m. Feb 1.Click here to register.
You can view previous sessions at tcta.org/twt, including November's webinar on extra duties and planning and preparation time, December's webinar on student discipline and January's webinar on COVID-19, appraisals and contract renewals. If you have topics you'd like covered in the future, please email communications@tcta.org.
Early voting is Feb. 14-25. Texas elections in 2022 include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and other statewide offices, as well as congressional and state legislative seats. You can learn more about the candidates for Texas House, Texas Senate and the State Board of Education on TCTA's election website, TexasTeachersVote.org.
Several schools closing amid COVID-19 staffing shortages
Dozens of school districts across Texas have closed this week because of staffing shortages amid the latest COVID-19 surge. Others have temporarily suspended school bus service. (You can find more information about the closures in our latest news headlines.)
While TEA's recent guidance reduces recommended staff quarantines, the highly contagious omicron variant is overwhelming many districts. The state's COVID dashboard for schools shows 26,469 positive cases among students and 11,782 cases among staff for the week ending Jan. 9. (The dashboard is updated on Friday afternoons.) To help schools stay open, the Biden administration said it plans to distribute 10 million free COVID-19 test kits to schools each month. While TEA does not yet plan to approve waivers for low attendance, a Jan. 13 update says it is exploring options to ensure districts will not experience significant financial difficulties during the latest surge.
This week, the federal government launched a program to mail at-home COVID test kits to U.S. residents. Click here to request four tests per household. Health insurance providers also are now required to cover the costs for up to eight at-home COVID test kits per month. Learn more here. President Joe Biden announced that 400 million N95 masks (three per adult) will be given away beginning next week at Walgreens, CVS pharmacies and other community health centers across the country.
Evidence supports teacher's resignation for good cause
A school district filed a complaint with the State Board for Educator Certification, alleging that a teacher's certification was subject to sanctions for resigning from the district without good cause. The teacher requested a hearing, during which evidence was presented to show the teacher was experiencing mental pain and suffering that negatively impacted her mental health. Click here to read more.
The Fulbright Teacher Exchanges is now accepting applications for two of its 2022-23 programs for K-12 educators:
The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program provides an opportunity for K-12 educators to conduct research and engage in other professional learning experiences abroad for three to six months. Applications are due Feb. 14.
The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a yearlong professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange for elementary, middle and high school educators to develop skills to prepare students for a competitive global economy. Apply by March 14.
