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Guaranteed pay raise, better working conditions key to addressing teaching shortage, TCTA says

TCTA General Counsel Lonnie Hollingsworth pressed state lawmakers on Tuesday to ensure teachers receive a pay raise by providing funding for a salary increase and requiring school districts to use the money for that purpose.

Speaking at a joint hearing of the House Public Education Committee and Higher Education Committee focused on teacher training and retention, Hollingsworth noted the importance of improving teacher working conditions, suggesting the elimination of nonteaching duties and encroachments on teacher autonomy.

Hollingsworth also underscored the need for an across-the-board increase for all teachers, rather than relying on narrowly focused compensation programs such as the Teacher Incentive Allotment. Click here to read more.

Bill to repeal WEP and GPO advances out of committee

For the first time, a bill to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset has advanced out of committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The WEP and GPO are the Social Security offsets that unfairly penalize most teachers, as well as other public employees such as firefighters and law enforcement, in Texas and several other states.

The measure, co-sponsored by 22 Texans in Congress, faces short timelines. If HR 82 (or any other current legislation) is not passed by the House and Senate by the end of the year, the bill will die and new legislation will have to be filed when the next congressional session begins in early 2023. Click here to read more and contact your representatives to urge support for HR 82.

Learn more about the STAAR redesign during Oct. 4 webinar

TEA is developing resources and training modules to support teacher understanding of the rationale and research behind the STAAR redesign as well as the test’s alignment with classroom instruction.

During the next Tuesdays with TCTA webinar at 6 p.m. Oct. 4, Jordan Runge, the director of Strategy and Operations with the Student Assessment Division at TEA, will present an overview of the changes and new resources for teachers before answering questions about the STAAR redesign. Attend this webinar and earn 1 hour of continuing professional education credit.

Click here to register and submit questions about the STAAR redesign.

To watch replays of previous Tuesdays with TCTA webinars, click here.

TEA seeks teacher input on alternate T-TESS Domain 1

TEA is seeking teachers for a committee that will review and provide input on a potential new T-TESS Alternate Domain 1, which would better align with curriculum systems that shift teacher responsibilities from lesson planning to lesson internalization.

Selected committee members are expected to attend a virtual meeting on Nov. 10 and complete pre-work prior to the session. Interested participants should submit an application by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. Click here to read more.

Parents file complaints against two school districts over special education evaluation

Parents filed due process complaints against Houston and Pearland ISDs in June 2017, arguing that the districts failed to evaluate their child for special education services in a timely manner, as required by federal law.

The student lived in the attendance boundaries of Pearland ISD but attended a private school in Houston. The parents had contacted Pearland and Houston ISDs, inquiring about the availability of special education services and asking "how to move forward." While the complaint was pending, both districts continued to work with the parents to provide special education services to their child. Click here to read more.

31 Texas schools earn National Blue Ribbon honors in 2022

Thirty-one campuses in Texas are among 297 National Blue Ribbon Schools in 2022. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes schools for overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. National winners are selected from nominees submitted by each state. 

"I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

In Texas, 19 schools were selected for overall academic excellence and 12 schools earned recognition for closing achievement gaps. 

Click here to see this year's Blue Ribbon schools.

179 Texas public schools named 2022-23 Purple Star Campuses

The Texas Education Agency has designated 179 public schools as Purple Star Campuses for the 2022-23 school year. Established in 2019, the Purple Star designation recognizes Texas public schools that provide high quality supports to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. Click here for a list of this year's Purple Star schools.

Are you registered to vote?

National Voter Registration Day was Tuesday, and the Dallas Morning News reports that more than 1 million Texans have been added to the state's voter rolls this year, bringing the total to more than 14.8 million. Are you among them?

Click here to check your voter registration status. You have until Oct. 11 to update your information or register to vote in the Nov. 8 election.

You may qualify for a refund if you kept paying off student loans during the pandemic

As part of the Biden Administration's plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student debt, some borrowers who hold eligible federal student loans and made voluntary payments since March 13, 2020, may qualify for a refund, according to the Department of Education. Click here to read more on how to apply.

The Biden Administration estimates more than 5.6 million Texans could qualify for student debt relief under its plan, which has drawn criticism, including from 21 Republican governors who sent a letter to Biden last week.

Encourage your colleagues to join TCTA

Help us recruit new members through our Take 2, Make $25 program. Give colleagues your TCTA member number and ask them to include it on their application. You'll get $25 for every two eligible First-Time Active members who join TCTA by Dec. 31. If you would like brochures to share with colleagues on your campus, email membership@tcta.org or call 888-879-8282.

Have you renewed your membership for the 2022-23 school year?

Members from 2021-22 have until Sept. 30 to renew without a lapse in coverage. You can log in at members.tcta.org to check your status and renew with a credit/debit card or call the Membership Department at 888-879-8282. Click here to renew with payroll deduction.

• Sept. 22 is the autumnal equinox, marking the start of fall.
• The State Board of Education plans a special meeting to discuss revisions to the Social Studies TEKS on Sept. 26-27.
• The State Board for Educator Certification meets Sept. 30 in Austin.
• Oct. 10 is Columbus Day, celebrated by some as Indigenous Peoples Day.
• Oct. 31 is the deadline to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.