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88TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE

Big bills up for debate include budget, teacher pay, vouchers

Today is a big day at the Capitol as the House debates the state budget and proposed amendments (including a key anti-voucher amendment), while the Senate takes up two of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority issues: vouchers in SB 8 (via an “education savings account”) and teacher issues, including salaries, in SB 9 (see more on that below).

Both chambers were still debating as this email was sent. The House, though, has completed its consideration of most of the amendments to HB 1 that deal with education issues, including the anti-voucher amendment by Rep. Abel Herrero that was the subject of yesterday’s action alert. Thank you to those who made a call to their House member — your efforts were not wasted. After lengthy discussion, the Herrero amendment to ensure that public dollars will not be spent on private schools was adopted on a 86-52 vote.

With many more amendments to be considered, the HB 1 discussions will likely last until late tonight. However, the full bill is expected to pass easily in the House on an initial vote, with a final vote either this evening or next week.

Senate passes teacher salary bill on initial vote

The Senate completed its debate and amendments on SB 9 Thursday afternoon. Senate Bill 9 includes provisions for a $2,000 salary increase for classroom teachers or $6,000 for classroom teachers in smaller districts (enrollment under 20,000 students). The bill also expands the Teacher Incentive Allotment program by increasing the amounts awarded under the merit pay system, and adding a new lowest designation of "acknowledged." It includes grant funding to help smaller districts develop local designation systems to participate in TIA. SB 9 passed on an initial 22-9 vote, with opponents citing the inadequate salary provisions as one of their areas of concern. The final vote will be held next week. Click here to read more.

TCTA and others tout need for higher educator salaries and more funding for public schools

TCTA's Lonnie Hollingsworth (pictured at the podium) took part in a press conference Tuesday with representatives of the other three statewide teacher organizations, PTA, school administrators and more to draw attention to the need for more state funding. The increases currently proposed in the budget are not adequate to keep up with inflationary costs or to provide the significant salary increases needed for instructional and support personnel. Click here to read TCTA's statement or click here to watch the replay (Hollingsworth begins speaking just after the 9-minute mark).

The press conference took place before the House Public Education Committee took up several bills Tuesday, including salary proposals, school start dates and more. All bills were left pending by the committee.

In other House action this week, the Youth Health and Safety committee considered a number of proposals Monday, including legislation that has been filed in multiple previous sessions to ban corporal punishment in schools.

In the Senate on Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee discussed several bills, including a priority school safety proposal and a ban on four-day school weeks. The bills were all left pending.

OTHER NEWS

TEA survey seeks feedback from first-year teachers

On April 3, the Texas Education Agency emailed eligible first-year teachers a link to a survey to get feedback about their preparation for teaching and earning a standard certificate. The information provided will assist in improving the preparation of teacher candidates.

Surveys must be completed by June 15. For questions regarding the EPP evaluation, email EPPevaluationbyTeachers@tea.texas.gov.

Webinar offers tips to improve impact of instructional coaches

Learning Forward plans a free webinar at 2 p.m. CDT Thursday, April 13, to provide tips on building effective relationships between instructional coaches and principals to help improve student outcomes. Click here to learn more and register. Can't attend live? Register and get a link to the replay.

Save on tax prep services

If you haven't filed your federal income taxes yet (the deadline is April 18), you can still save on tax prep services through TicketsatWork. Click here to log in or become a member using company code SWTCTA. You can save up to $20 off TurboTax, 20% off DIY filing with H&R Block or 25% on services with TaxAct.

• Easter is April 9. TCTA will be closed Friday, April 7. On Monday, April 10, the legal department will be available to assist TCTA members.
• The State Board of Education meets April 11-14 in Austin.