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FEATURED NEWS

Lt. Gov. Patrick releases interim charges for Senate

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick included 57 items on a to-do list for state Senate committees before the start of the 89th Texas Legislature in January.

Patrick's interim charges for the Senate Education Committee include:

• Making recommendations to ensure every student has a strong academic foundation in reading and math;
• Reviewing the state's current development and phase-in of the STAAR test redesign and ongoing innovative assessment reforms; and
• Monitoring legislation passed in 2023 focused on school safety, oversight of public school library procurement and content policies, and high-quality instructional materials and open-educational resources for public schools.

Patrick also tasked the State Affairs Committee with studying the impact of social media use on children.

According to the latest estimate from the state comptroller, Texas lawmakers are projected to have approximately $21.3 billion in available revenue at the outset of session, which begins Jan. 14, 2025. Click here to read more.

SBOE instructs SBEC to do a better job pursuing a Texas-specific pedagogy test

During its April meeting last week, the State Board of Education narrowly voted to let the State Board for Educator Certification’s edTPA rule go forward but with pointed instructions to SBEC that there must be a Texas-specific performance assessment available as an option to edTPA.

SBEC voted in February to send a rule to SBOE operationalizing the controversial edTPA exam as an option alongside the current Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. TCTA, represented by the Texas Coalition for Educator Preparation, asked SBOE to veto the rule given that it moves the controversial edTPA performance assessment from a pilot exam to a full-scale pedagogy certification exam without any known pilot data addressing the validity and reliability of the test. Click here to read more.

In other action, SBOE members approved rules that enable improved supports for students with dyslexia. The board also greenlit a plan to ensure students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the Texas workforce. 

Senate leaders ask TRS to improve health care program

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Finance Chair Joan Huffman sent a letter asking the TRS Board of Trustees to reduce premiums for the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage program. They also asked the TRS Board to create a one-time re-enrollment opportunity for thousands of retired educators who left the Medicare Advantage program in recent years due to program changes and increased premium costs.

TRS Board members are expected to discuss the request during their May 2-3 meeting in Austin. The agenda also includes discussion of TRS-Active Care rates for the 2024-25 school year.

Meanwhile, TRS encourages educators planning to retire in the next 10-12 months to schedule a session with a TRS benefits counselor. Sessions are available in person at the TRS offices in Austin and El Paso as well as virtually.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Cheerleader sues district for discrimination under Title IX

A student sued a school district for sex discrimination under Title IX and also claimed the district violated her constitutional right to due process. The student claimed she sustained severe and permanent injuries because her cheerleading coach forced the team to complete 150 to 200 "frog jumps" after she was late to practice. The district court dismissed the lawsuit and the student appealed. Click here to read more.

OTHER NEWS

Early voting runs April 22-30 in May 4 municipal elections

Many school districts across Texas have school board seats and bond proposals on the May 4 municipal election ballot. Early voting is April 22-30 and April 23 is the last day to request a ballot by mail. Click here to input your address and find out what's on the ballot where you live.

U.S. House committee holds hearing on WEP/GPO changes

TCTA sent letters to members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security this week, again urging Congress to take action to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) provisions in Social Security that unfairly harm many teachers and other public servants.

"Efforts to revise or repeal the WEP and GPO have languished for years, it is time for Congress to advance the Social Security Fairness Act," TCTA wrote.

The bill (S.597/HR 82) has bipartisan support, but the House subcommittee did not take action during Tuesday's hearing. TCTA continues to monitor this bill.

Spread the Word: Kendra Scott Gives Back event April 27-28

Mark your calendars and plan to buy jewelry from Kendra Scott on April 27-28. Enter giveback code GIVEBACK-GJOSZ in your shopping cart online or mention it in-store at checkout and 20% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to ACT For TCTA. Please note that this is not a discount, but with Mother's Day coming soon this event will be a great opportunity to buy something special for a loved one or treat yourself while supporting TCTA's political action committee.

• The State Board for Educator Certification meets April 26 in Austin.
• Early voting in May 4 local elections is April 22-30.
• The TRS Board of Trustees meets May 2-3 in Austin.
• Mother's Day is May 12.
• Early voting in May 28 primary runoff elections is May 20-24.