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FEATURED NEWS

Houston ISD seeks spike in teacher turnover, enrollment decline since TEA takeover

A new study from the University of Houston reports sharp student losses, rising teacher turnover and an accelerated decline in experienced educators in Houston ISD since the start of the Texas Education Agency takeover in 2023.

Since the takeover, the number of first-year teachers rose by nearly 65%, while the number of more experienced teachers rose by just 12.5%. The number of uncertified teachers also rose nearly 20% while the district lost many teachers with 16 or more years of classroom experience. Click here to read more.

The report on Houston ISD comes as TEA takes over four more districts in the 2025-26 school year. Education Commissioner Mike Morath has named conservators to oversee operations in Fort Worth, Lake Worth, Connally and Beaumont ISDs, and has yet to decide whether to intervene in Wichita Falls.

TEA seeks public input on A-F rating system through Feb. 1

The Texas Education Agency is gathering public suggestions for improvement to the state's A-F Accountability System until Feb. 1 as it works on the 2028 A-F Accountability System refresh. Suggestions can be submitted here. Proposed changes will be released this summer. Learn more about rating system revisions here.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

School resource officer claims student recording of search violates privacy

A school resource officer charged with official misconduct for planting evidence argued that a recording made by a student without his knowledge could not be introduced in court because it violated his right to privacy. 

The trial court agreed and the prosecution appealed the decision.

The court of appeals said it must determine if the school resource officer had a subjective expectation of privacy when he made the comments that were recorded and whether that expectation was objectively reasonable. 

Click here to find out how the court of appeals ruled in the case.

OTHER NEWS

Bored Teachers Comedy Tour stopping in 4 West Texas cities

They’ve graded the papers, survived the staff meetings and lost their last ounce of patience… and now they’re taking it out on stage!

Bored Teachers is back with brand-new jokes, bigger laughs and the most relatable teacher comedy you’ll ever hear in the "Is it Friday Yet?!" tour. Tickets are on sale now for four stops in West Texas. Get tickets by clicking on the city name below:

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in El Paso
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Midland
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 in Lubbock
• 3:00 p.m. Feb. 1 in Amarillo

Click here to learn more about the show and other dates on the tour.

Help spread the word about half-price dues for new hires

Do you have new colleagues on campus this semester? Invite them to join TCTA before enrollment ends Feb. 1.

Educators who begin employment after Jan. 1, and are eligible for TCTA membership may join TCTA for the spring semester for half price. The savings only applies to those not eligible for membership during the fall semester. Click here for more information.

All you need to know about NPR Ed's Student Podcast Challenge for grades 4-12

To mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, NPR Ed's Student Podcast Challenge for grades 4-12 is seeking entries that explore what the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" means to you. Submissions are due May 31.

NPR plans two webinars to discuss the challenge and answer questions:

• Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. Central Time. Register here.
• Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. Central Time. Register here.

Save on fitness memberships, mental health apps in January

Elevate your well-being with savings on fitness memberships and mental health apps this month with TicketsatWork. Click here to log in or become a member using Company Code SWTCTA.

Be sure to check out all of TCTA's cost-saving programs.

• Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• The State Board of Education meets Jan. 26-30 in Austin.
• TCTA's 2026 Convention is Feb. 6-7 in Austin.