Teacher Appreciation Week brings good news for Texas schools

May 7-11, 2012, is PTA Teacher Appreciation Week — a special time to honor the dedicated women and men who lend their passion and skills to educating our children. And based on the results of the 2011 8th grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science test released this week, it looks like Texans have yet another reason to appreciate their teachers.

TCTA member takes home 2012 H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Award

Northside CTA member Emily Swoboda was one of just six Texas teachers to win a prestigious H-E-B Excellence in Education Award at a ceremony in Houston May 6. She beat out four other finalists to win the secondary-level Leadership Award, which is for teachers with 10 to 20 years of classroom experience.

TCTA voter guide provides candidate information for upcoming elections

The 2012 primary elections will be held May 29, but early voting starts in just a few days (May 14-25). Teachers can have a huge impact on these elections, as voter turnout is predicted to be very low. TCTA has created a primary election guide to help teachers learn more about the candidates and make informed decisions.

First set of STAAR results to be reported May 23

The Texas Education Agency has announced  that school districts will receive Standard and Optional reports for STAAR 3-8 assessments on May 23, 2012.

STAAR passing standards for end-of-course exams released

After several years of gathering data on end-of-course test results and consulting with advisory and expert committees, on which TCTA participated, the Texas Education Agency has released performance standards  f

Setting of grades 3-8 STAAR passing standards delayed until Fall 2012

According to the Texas Education Agency, students in grades 3-8 will learn in early January of 2013 whether they passed the new STAAR tests taken in 2012.

The passing standards for these grades will not be set until this fall. Districts are scheduled to receive the confidential student reports in January 2013 to provide to parents.

Update on rules affecting how districts handle flexibility in mid-year contract terminations

Senate Bill 8, the “deregulation” legislation passed in June 2011, included a provision decreasing legal protections for teachers in the case of a mid-year contract termination. Use of the provision was limited to schools declaring a financial exigency.

Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott resigns, effective July 2

A news release  from the Texas Education Agency announced that the state's longtime Education Commissioner, Robert Scott, will be resigning effective July 2.

Spring 2012

President’s Message: We are all made stronger by joining together in TCTA
The Blueprint for the 2013 Legislative Session
Texas Teachers Vote: Primary Elections Present Opportunity for Real Change
Educators’ legal rights impacted by new laws
“Coaching them up” Contract Rights
Washington Watch - Spring 2012
Rumor v. Reality The Truth about TRS Today
TRS approves rate increase for 2012-13 health insurance
June 15 deadline for 2013 Texas TOY application
TCTA communications win top awards in state competition
Share your summer plans

Coalition proposes more budget cuts

Days after state officials announced significant growth in revenues for the state, a coalition of groups called Texans for a Conservative Budget is proposing additional budget cuts and policy changes that would continue the erosion of state support for public education. Among the coalition’s targets: the state’s public pension systems and public schools.