We've received more than 1,900 responses so far from members regarding issues they are struggling with this school year, from COVID-19 to completing training for the HB 3 Reading Academies. We appreciate the input and will use your responses as we talk to policymakers and state leaders in the coming weeks. If you haven't already participated, please click on the button below to take our 5-minute survey and share your thoughts. All responses will be confidential. Look for a summary of the responses in the next eUpdate.

TCTA has been fielding questions from members regarding compensation for tutoring required under HB 4545, which passed in the 87th regular session. In response, we asked TEA and Commissioner Mike Morath to highlight the various funding sources school districts could use to pay teachers for tutoring. We are pleased to report that a new question has been added to TEA’s HB 4545 FAQ as follows:

68. What funds are available for districts to use to compensate teachers beyond the standard duty pay for providing tutoring under HB 4545? Districts can use regular state and local funds; Title I, Part A funds; state compensatory education allotment funds; and ESSER funds to compensate teachers for tutoring and potentially other duties. Title I, Part A funds may be used as long as the district has an approved methodology to distribute state and local funds in a manner that it can document the Title I funds are supplemental.

We thank TEA and Commissioner Morath for taking this action. This clarification gives teachers essential information for local discussions about compensation for teachers who are doing extra work to help students succeed.

The Teacher Retirement System Board of Trustees is considering several weighty items during its September meeting this week, none more controversial than that of planning its future office space. The agency has come under fire in recent years for decisions regarding office leases in downtown Austin. The long-term plan as explained by Executive Director Brian Guthrie is to house all agency employees under one building owned by TRS, rather than continuing to lease space for the investment division. The Board is reviewing its options and is expected to make some decisions Friday afternoon. (We'll provide updates here.)

Other highlights from the meeting include:

Click here to read more, and look for updates online Friday afternoon.

In a letter to school district administrators this afternoon, TEA announced updates to several state assessment programs for the 2021-22 school year.

Among the changes, Senate Bill 1267, passed in the 87th regular session, eliminates annual training requirements in test security and administration procedures for most testing personnel. All testing personnel are required to receive training at least once in test security and administration procedures and are responsible for signing a test security oath and complying with state assessment requirements. Annual test administration training is strongly encouraged, especially for policies and practices that have changed. 

In addition, the TELPAS rater calibration activities now have similar restrictions. However, the law allows for required calibration activities based on significant changes to the program. Because the calibration activities are changing this year as they transition to the new Texas Learning Management System, rater calibration activities will continue to be required for the 2021-22 school year. Click here to read more.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against 15 school districts in the past week over their face mask policies. It's not clear why these districts were chosen given that at least 85 districts have some kind of requirement in place. At least one district being sued says its policy isn't a requirement, but a recommendation when transmission is high. Another district says it's not enforcing its policy. TEA is also not enforcing the state's ban on mask mandates, pending resolution from these and several other lawsuits. Paxton says more lawsuits could follow.

Our thoughts are with the Fort Worth ISD community where two educators died this week due to complications from COVID-19.

In other COVID-19 news this week, Dallas ISD announced that it plans to use some of its federal relief funds to offer eligible students $50 for proof of vaccination by Nov. 15. The district offers employees a $500 incentive. The Longview ISD board approved a $1,000 stipend to encourage employees to get vaccinated. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD approved 10 additional paid days of COVID-19 leave for employees at its board meeting Monday.

San Antonio ISD reported that 197 fully vaccinated employees tested positive for COVID-19 in August. These breakthrough infections are one reason why the FDA and CDC are considering authorizing a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to help boost immunity. The Texas Department of State Health Services is tracking active COVID-19 cases among students and staff on its dashboard, which is updated on Friday afternoons.

You can find the latest guidance in TCTA's COVID-19 FAQs for 2021-22. Members with questions or concerns about their district's policies should call 888-879-8282 to speak with a staff attorney.

A teacher's contract was terminated by his school district. The teacher filed an appeal, arguing that the termination was unlawful in part because it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The commissioner of education noted that the teacher failed to report to work, which normally would constitute good cause to terminate the contract. However, the teacher argued that he had a disability and should have been granted an accommodation to work from home. A school district cannot terminate a teacher's contract in violation of the ADA.

In reviewing the case, the commissioner noted that a teacher’s subjective belief that he has a disability is not enough to establish entitlement to accommodations under the ADA. Click here to read more.

For many educators, the emotional toll of this past school year has affected their lives far beyond the classroom. A new book, Educator Wellness, provides specific guidance on how to live your best life every day despite the challenges at school. The authors, Timothy D. Kanold and Tina H. Boogren, will be hosting a FREE interactive webinar at 4 p.m. CDT Oct. 5 to help educators discover how to prioritize their daily wellness as they pursue a high-energy, well-balanced professional life. Click here to learn more and register for the webinar.

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program sends K-12 educators from the U.S. to participating countries to support projects in schools, teacher training colleges, government ministries, or educational nongovernmental organizations, as identified by U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions. Applications are due Oct. 15 for placements beginning in March 2022. Click here for more information and application instructions.

During its recent meeting, the State Board of Education gave final approval for changes to the Dyslexia Handbook. The updates clarify requirements related to student evaluation and the required dyslexia screening for students in kindergarten and first grade. The board also approved updated Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, which were reviewed over the summer. The board also gave initial approval to revised Science TEKS for grades K-8. Final approval is expected in November. Click here to read more.

If you have already renewed, thank you!

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