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Senate Education committee hears testimony on special education and vouchers
The Senate Education Committee met to discuss its interim charge related to the effectiveness of public school programs serving special education students, including autistic students. Testimony was presented from a panel of experts about suggested solutions for problems occurring in the context of special education. The committee also heard from TEA staff on the current status of response to intervention (RTI) in Texas and considered the use of vouchers for special education students. Read more…
Attorney General: Bible classes not required by districts
Texas Attorney General (AG) Greg Abbott issued an opinion that school districts are not required to offer courses on the Old and New Testaments, stating that such courses are optional. Abbott issued the opinion on House Bill 1287 passed by the Texas Legislature in 2007 in response to a request from Education Commissioner Robert Scott.
The bill had created some confusion due to apparent conflicts in the law. One part of the statute states that districts may offer the courses, and another part states that a district is not required to offer the courses if fewer than 15 students enroll. The AG examined the legislative history of the bill in making his determination that the Legislature intended the courses to be optional for school districts.
The Attorney General also examined language in the bill that inserted the following in the state’s enrichment curriculum, “religious literature, including the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on history and literature.” The opinion provides that this language does not require this curriculum to be taught in a separate course and that the State Board of Education may by rule require school districts to teach it. If it does, the curriculum could be included in a related course such as history or language arts. An AG opinion is considered to be persuasive, but not binding authority.
Teacher benefits/rights targeted: Look who's taking aim now
When Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott invited TCTA, along with representatives of several other education organizations, school superintendents, and members of the business community to participate in a school finance summit in July, he initiated a conversation that outlined a far broader range of issues likely to be discussed in the upcoming legislative session. In addition to the concerns voiced by superintendents about the inability of local school districts to generate additional revenue without going to their voters for approval in tough economic times, a litany of longstanding issues relating to employment conditions and benefits was also aired. Read more...
Two new loan grant and forgiveness programs announced
Two new federal loan grant and forgiveness programs are available for teachers under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, which amended the Higher Education Act. Read more...
Reauthorized federal Higher Education Act impacts teacher preparation and loan forgiveness
You may wonder why you should care that Congress recently reauthorized the federal Higher Education Act (HEA) - after all, what does higher education law have to do with public education? Actually, the answer is: Plenty! This enormous piece of federal legislation – HR 4137, now called the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which has been up for reauthorization since 2003 and was only recently reauthorized by Congress on July 30, 2008, contains numerous provisions about teacher quality, teacher preparation and teacher loan forgiveness. Of course, the bulk of the HEA has to do with federal student aid and other higher education programs, but the focus of our analysis of the bill is centered on the provisions more directly related to public school educators mentioned above. Read more...
Hot topics discussed at school finance summit
TCTA participated in the invitation-only School Finance Summit held by Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott in late July. Participants included other teacher and administrator groups and a number of superintendents representing diverse Texas school districts. Read more...
House committee focuses on SBOE, revised TEKS and new data system
While meeting to discuss interim charges, the House Public Education Committee also focused on the State Board of Education (SBOE), the adoption of the revised K-12 English/Language Arts and Reading TEKS, and the possible development of a comprehensive state educational data system.
During his two-hour testimony, Don McLeroy, SBOE Chair, defended the revision process and position/prevailing vote taken by the SBOE at its May meeting, where the revised ELAR TEKS had been the main focus. SBOE members Ken Mercer, Pat Hardy, Bob Craig and Mavis Knight argued against the process and the final outcome. Following the SBOE members, several teachers testified who were disheartened by the process and asked for a legislative remedy to ensure that teachers’ opinions were not ignored in the future.
TEA announces options for loan deferment, cancellation
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has rolled out this year’s Teacher Loan Forgiveness program at both the federal and state levels. A list of teaching assignments in shortage areas and a list of low-income schools has been established. Teachers serving in eligible assignments can receive student loan forgiveness benefits. Read more...
The next chapter in Texas public education takes shape
The months leading up to a legislative session always offer some important clues about what to expect once January of an odd-numbered year arrives and the Legislature convenes in regular session. Battle lines get drawn, priorities established, and issues developed, often through a seemingly endless series of hearings and reports. Read more...
Final District Awards for Teacher Excellence (DATE) rules are released
TEA released final rules for the District Awards for Teacher Excellence (DATE) state incentive program, which contain many TCTA-requested changes from the proposed rules:
* The districts must provide evidence of significant teacher involvement in the development of the incentive plan
* The selected district-level planning and/or decision-making committee must vote in advance of any school board changes to the local awards plan
* The districts may not refuse to pay awards to teachers who earned awards but who subsequently retired or were involuntarily transferred from the campus
* The rules now clarify that a portion of the grant funds are to be used to improve the recruitment and retention of instructional personnel
TEA announces funding available for National Board Certification
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced available federal funding for teachers seeking National Board Certification. Teachers, librarians, and counselors who are interested in the candidate subsidy program should apply by December 31, 2008. National Board Certification is available in twenty-five (25) subject areas and school counseling. Interested individuals should visit the website for more information.
TELPAS Training Schedule Announced
Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) Holistic Rating Training Activities and Schedule for the 2008-09 School Year have been announced. Read more…
TEA identifies partners in Texas Virtual School Network
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced key partnerships with local education service centers and a number of other entities in the launching of the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN). TxVSN will provide online courses through the Internet to students throughout Texas. Classes are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2009. Read more...
Fingerprinting Schedule Released for Educators, Substitutes and Aides
Between Jan. 1, 2008 and Sept. 1, 2011, Texas will conduct background searches on about 392,000 certified educators as well as an undetermined number of classroom substitute teachers and aides, as required by SB9 passed by the 80th Texas Legislature. See if your district is scheduled...
TRS Board Approves 'Historic' Strategic Partnerships
In what was referred to by board members as a "historic" meeting, the TRS Board of Trustees approved four major financial firms as strategic partners of the retirement system. TRS has relied on its internal investment staff to manage the fund’s investment portfolio, but the Legislature approved the use of external managers for up to 30 percent of the fund's assets during the 2007 legislative session. Read more...
TCTA testifies on TRS floating contribution rate concept
Two state legislative committees are considering changes to the way the Teacher Retirement System is funded, changes that could impact not only your retirement benefits but your take-home pay as an active employee. Read more...
Senate committees discuss investment policies of state’s pension funds
The Senate Committees on Finance and State Affairs held a joint meeting to discuss investment policies of the state’s pension funds (including TRS and ERS). Committee members discussed acceptable levels of risk for public funds, as well as "social investment" issues, such as promotion of Texas-based opportunities and investments in casino gambling. Read more...
TEA mentoring rules includes TCTA suggestions
During the last special session, lawmakers passed legislation establishing a $15 million statewide mentoring grant program. TEA recently issued proposed rules regarding the grant, and TCTA gave input, successfully persuading TEA to include language in the rules that required components of any mentoring program approved for a grant must be successful in:
* improving teacher retention
* providing continuous support and training tailored to the needs of mentor teachers
* scheduling release time in order for a mentor teacher to fulfill mentoring duties
The originally proposed rule only required that approved mentoring programs show success in improving teacher quality.
However, TCTA pointed out that "Given the startling statistics showing that 30 percent of teachers leave teaching within the first three years, and 50 percent within the first five years, policymakers at every level agree that something needs to be done to stem this tide, and policymakers agree that one of the best ways to do so is to implement a strong teacher induction and mentoring program that helps retain teachers."
TCTA also pointed out that "Research on the successful components of mentoring/induction programs shows that two of the essential components are scheduled release time for the mentor to be able to meet with the mentee and fulfill mentoring duties, as well as training for the mentor."
TEA responded favorably and the rules including TCTA’s language were finally adopted.
Reviewed: 11/25/08
