Winter 2011

Executive Director’s Message: Holding the Reformers Accountable
Here a test, there a test... STAAR Issues stacking up
Battle brewing on Capitol Hill over testing, teacher evaluation and school accountability
Washington Watch - Winter 2011
TO [NOT] DO LIST 12 ways to mess up your retirement
TRS fund stable, but benefit structure in question
Primary school: Your guide to the March 2012 elections

2012 TCTA Annual Convention

TCTA special rate now available at nearby Westin hotel

TCTA testifies at STAAR implementation hearing

TCTA testified at the first House Public Education Committee hearing of the 2011-12 interim to urge committee members to examine whether the time, effort and money expended on our state assessment system are worth the costs, both tangible and intangible.

House committee to examine STAAR implementation

On Monday, Jan. 23, the Texas House Public Education Committee will hold its first meeting since the tumultuous regular and special legislative sessions of 2011.

How the redistricting confusion affects you

The upcoming primary elections could be crucial for public education, but as the deadline approaches for filing for legislative offices, candidates and voters can’t even be sure what districts they're in.

TCTA award winners announced

The Texas Classroom Teachers Association presents 13 statewide awards annually to honor those who have made outstanding contributions during the past year to public education, the teaching profession or to TCTA. The 2011-12 winners will be honored at a banquet at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston on Feb. 9, 2012, just before the association's annual convention, and are as follows:

"Donors Choose" website allows teachers to solicit classroom donations

As the holiday season begins, the Austin American-Statesman reminds  readers of a website on which teachers across the country can post requests for classroom donations and donors can contribute funds to help meet those requests. The website has helped fund more than 400 projects in the Austin area alone.

New rules affect how districts handle new flexibility in mid-year contract terminations

When Senate Bill 8, the “deregulation” legislation, passed during the 2011 special legislative session in June 2011, a provision that decreases legal protections for teachers in the case of a mid-year contract termination was tied to the district's ability to declare a financial exigency.

Wichita Falls CTA teachers recognized

Since 1983, the West Foundation has honored 20 outstanding Wichita Falls teachers, with winners receiving a cash award. The annual award stresses good character, positive attitude and dedication to the job. This year, 14 of the 20 award recipients were Wichita Falls CTA members. Our congratulations go to:

Paige Box  Jefferson Elementary

TEA seeking comments on model IEP form

One of the common complaints TCTA hears from our members is the large paperwork burden associated with providing special education services to students. In an effort to reduce the amount of special education paperwork, legislation (SB 1788) was passed last session requiring the Texas Education Agency to develop a model IEP form that school districts can choose to use.