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88TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE

Special session ends without passage of any education bills

The Texas House adjourned sine die Tuesday without taking up any education bills from the Senate, marking the end of a fourth special session in which legislation on school vouchers, teacher pay and school funding failed to reach Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.

Paige Williams, TCTA's director of legislation, told The Texas Tribune this week that advocates felt confident about defeating vouchers after speaking to rural Republican lawmakers throughout the past few months and confirming that most continued to oppose vouchers as they had during the regular session.

“We were thankful for the people who took a very hard public vote and who were willing to stand up and speak,” Williams said.

After the Legislature failed to approve significant increases in public school funding in this year’s regular session, despite a record budget surplus, many school districts were forced into deficit budgets to keep up with costs. Williams said this trend is likely to continue if schools have to wait until the 2025 regular session for another shot at additional funding. Click here to read more.

So far, Abbott has not said if or when he'll call a fifth special session, but Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told The Texas Tribune he thought one should take place in February ahead of the March primaries. Click here to read more.

The ongoing voucher fight and the need to increase funding for schools will make the March 2024 primaries more important than ever. Educators and other public education supporters will need to pay attention to candidates' positions on vouchers as they head to the polls. 

FEATURED NEWS

COLA should start in January despite election challenges

Due to the passage of SB 10 and HJR 2 in the regular legislative session and the overwhelming support of Proposition 9 in the November election, TRS retirees will receive a cost-of-living increase, the first in 20 years.

In September, one-time payments were made to retirees aged 70 and older.

• Approximately 177,000 received a payment of $7,500.
• Approximately 108,000 received a payment of $2,400.

Beginning at the end of January 2024, retirees will receive a permanent increase in their monthly annuities based on how long ago they retired.

• Approximately 145,000 who retired between 2014 and 2020 will receive an additional 2%, average $46 monthly increase.
• Approximately 187,000 who retired between 2002 and 2013 will receive an additional 4%, average $85 monthly increase.
• Approximately 68,000 who retired in 2001 or earlier will receive an additional 6%, average $116 monthly increase.

This week, state officials found a legal tactic to prevent a slew of election contest lawsuits from derailing the constitutional amendments that voters approved in November. Some legal experts, however, say a judge’s ruling is still required to bring an end to the election challenges. If the COLA's implementation is delayed for any reason, TRS said this week that it has the ability to ensure back payments. Click here to read more.

TRS Board gets update on pension fund health

During its December meeting this week, the TRS Board of Trustees received an update on the pension fund. The estimated market return for the plan year ending Aug. 31, 2023, was 3.8%, short of its target of 7.0%.

The TRS Board also honored Grace Mueller with a resolution recognizing her service as chair of the Retiree Advisory Committee. Mueller, a TCTA member since 1985, served as state president in 2013-14. Though she is ending her service on the RAC, Mueller will continue to advocate for educators as a new trustee on the Seguin ISD school board.

Additional certification exam may be required for special education teachers in Texas

TCTA's Holly Eaton testified today against a proposal being considered by the State Board for Educator Certification to require special education teachers teaching content to take an additional content certification test.

The Texas Education Agency recently determined that a long-standing rule allowing special education teachers teaching content to demonstrate competency via HOUSSE was no longer allowed under federal law.

TCTA participated in several stakeholder meetings held by TEA about how to address the situation. TCTA urged that TEA allow as much flexibility as possible for new special education teachers, grandfather current special education teachers, and provide specificity to the field about exactly what types of instructional settings any new requirements would apply to.

Although TEA’s proposal is still evolving, information presented to SBEC at its December meeting distinguishes among the requirements based on whether a special education teacher is teaching content on grade level or only teaching prerequisite skills, and whether the teacher is at the elementary or secondary level. Click here to read more.

TCTA advocates to eliminate Social Security WEP and GPO

TCTA provided written testimony to a U.S House subcommittee on Social Security advocating to eliminate or restructure the WEP and GPO.

The WEP penalizes Texas educators who earned Social Security benefits through previous employment, and the GPO reduces or eliminates spousal benefits for most Texas school employees. TCTA has a longstanding record of supporting legislation to address these unfair provisions.

The U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security took no action during the recent hearing. Legislation related to the WEP and GPO is not expected to pass by the end of the year and faces hurdles in 2024, but TCTA will continue to work with Congress for fairer treatment of educators under the WEP and GPO. Click here to read more.

OTHER NEWS

Register now for TCTA's 2024 Annual Meeting

Registration is open for TCTA's 2024 Annual Meeting on Feb. 16-17 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio. Reservations must be made by Jan. 25 to secure TCTA's special room rates.

Members in attendance can earn up to 4.5 hours of continuing professional education hours during three CPE sessions on Friday, Feb. 16:

• 10 a.m.: Addressing the Increase of Anxiety and Stress in Our Youth
• 1:30 p.m.: Reaching Diverse Learners and De-escalation Strategies for Students with Challenging Behaviors
• 3:30 p.m.: TCTA Legal Q&A Session

Delegates to the Representative Assembly will convene on Saturday, Feb. 17, to discuss TCTA business and elect statewide leaders.

Click here for more information and links to register.

Biden administration forgives $4.8B in student loan debt

This week, the Biden administration announced an additional $4.8 billion in student loan debt relief for 80,300 borrowers. These discharges stem from fixes made by the U.S. Department of Education to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). To date, the administration has discharged nearly $132 billion in loan debt for more than 3.6 million Americans. Click here to read more.

Take 2, Make $25 ends Dec. 31

Earn some extra money for the holidays by encouraging your colleagues to join TCTA before our Take 2, Make $25 program ends on Dec. 31.

For every two eligible new First-Time Active members you recruit by Dec. 31, we'll send you $25.

Save on gifts, travel and more with TicketsatWork

TCTA members can get instant access to exclusive deals, limited-time offers and members-only perks on holiday gifts and travel through our partnership with TicketsatWork. Or get a head start on the new year by enhancing your mental, physical and financial well-being. Click here to log in or become a member using Company Code SWTCTA and wrap up holiday savings.

Click here to log in and explore all of TCTA's cost-saving programs.

• The State Board of Education meets Dec. 13 in Austin.
• TCTA will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 1 for the holidays.
• TCTA's 2024 Annual Meeting is Feb. 16-17 in San Antonio.