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FEATURED NEWS

TCTA testifies on teacher certification at House hearing

The House Public Education Committee held hearings last week as it works on interim charges before a new session starts in January.

On Aug. 13, TCTA's Holly Eaton was invited to testify on teacher certification. Her testimony addressed the causes for the state's teacher shortage and included proposed solutions for combatting the shortage and for ensuring that uncertified teachers who wish to remain in the profession become certified. 

TCTA members who responded to our recent survey on this subject provided hundreds of comments that were very helpful to us in our efforts to inform policymakers about the impact of uncertified teachers on campuses. Click here to read more.

The committee's Aug. 12 hearing focused on school vouchers and the progress of major education legislation passed in 2023. Click here to read more.

TEA delays accountability ratings release amid lawsuit

A Travis County judge has blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its A-F accountability ratings of the state’s school districts and campuses for a second year in a row after another lawsuit was filed by several districts over TEA's changes to the metrics used to measure their performance.

In the lawsuit filed Aug. 12, districts are questioning the validity of STAAR results since artificial intelligence tools started scoring them this year. They say low scores on STAAR’s reading section are because of the new grading tool, not necessarily because of students’ skills or teachers’ performance.

Some districts, including Houston ISD, have released their unofficial accountability scores for 2023-24, but the lawsuit prevents TEA from releasing an official report on how schools are performing. Click here to read more.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Teacher files grievance after district denies assault leave

A special education teacher was assaulted by a student who tore a set of blinds off a wall in her classroom, hit her on the back of the head with the blinds, then punched her in the neck. The teacher requested assault leave benefits from the district. The district denied her request, and the teacher filed a grievance. When it was denied, the teacher appealed to the commissioner of education. Click here to read what the commissioner decided.

OTHER NEWS

Get fun facts, lesson plans and more with Statistics in Schools

As you start another school year, consider using Statistics in Schools to bring subjects to life using real-world Census Bureau data to create materials for use in K-12 classrooms. The site offers free resources and activities in social studies, math, English, geography, sociology and more.

Click here to check out the collection.

Get early access to Labor Day deals from TicketsatWork

Savor summer's end with last-minute travel deals and top-rated brands for less with TicketsatWork's Labor Day deals. Save on new and used cars, Apple products, computers, appliances and more. Click here to login in or become a member using corporate code SWTCTA.

Check out TCTA's other cost-saving programs for more ways to save.

Did you renew your TCTA membership yet?

Don't forget to renew your TCTA membership to ensure you have continuous professional liability insurance coverage and access to TCTA's staff attorneys for job-related questions throughout the 2024-25 school year. If you changed school districts, campuses or jobs this year, you need to submit a new application to ensure your coverage continues without interruption. If you've already renewed, thank you, and we hope you have a great year.

Also invite your colleagues to join TCTA. Ask them to include your member number or name in the Take 2 box and you can earn $25 for every two eligible First-Time Active members you recruit. Click here for details.

• Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 2. TCTA Headquarters will be closed.
• The State Board of Education meets Sept. 10-13 in Austin.
• The TRS Board of Trustees meets Sept. 19-20 in Austin.
• The State Board for Educator Certification meets Sept. 20 in Austin.
• Apply for H-E-B's Excellence in Education Awards by Oct. 7.