Teachers need to be aware that planning and preparation time and duty-free lunch are benefits provided by law. You are not required to give up your duty-free lunch during TAKS testing week, and may only be required to give up planning and preparation time in some instances. The TCTA Legal Department advises our members to call and speak with one of our staff attorneys if you would like additional information regarding this issue. Read more…

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TEA has announced the state-testing calendar will be adjusted to ensure that TAKS exams are not given on the March 4 primary election day. Under the new calendar, all tests scheduled for March 4-6 will be given one day later than originally scheduled. Teachers and other school employees may find it difficult to vote during this time, so we strongly encourage our members to take advantage of early voting (February 19 - 29). For more information on the upcoming elections, review our latest article from The Classroom Teacher. Read more...

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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has released the study topics for Senate committees for the upcoming months leading to the 2009 legislative session. These committee charges often provide a sneak peek into the leadership’s priorities for the next session.

The committees will meet several times during the interim to discuss and take testimony on assigned topics, and will develop recommendations in the fall to present to the Legislature. Many of the recommendations will be incorporated into bills. TCTA attends and testifies at the meetings to represent the teacher perspective, and provides comments on proposed recommendations. We welcome input from our members on any of these issues. TCTA has excerpted relevant issues from the Senate interim charges, and earlier reported on House interim charges. Read more...

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In 2007, Washington leaders signed an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2764) to provide federal funding for U.S. Department of Education programs for FY 2008. Funding for the Reading First program was significantly reduced for FY 08, from $1 billion in FY 07 to $393 million. Some other specific programs of interest include:

• $13.9 billion for Title I grants to local education agencies, an 8.3% increase over fiscal year 2007;
• $11.8 billion for special education grants;
• $2.94 billion to help states improve the quality of their teachers;
• $1.27 billion for career and technical education grants, a small decrease from FY 2007; and
• $16 billion in Pell Grants for low- and middle-income college undergraduates, a 16.7% increase over FY 2007 when funding from both the appropriations bill and the separate College Cost Reduction and Access Act (approved in September) are combined.

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Judy Landis, Kountze Middle School math teacher, has been named the 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year by the Kountze Chamber of Commerce.

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ATTENTION: Westin Galleria Hotel no longer has rooms available

The 2008 TCTA Annual Convention will be held in Houston, February 29-March 1 at the Westin Galleria Hotel. TCTA has been notified that the Westin Galleria is now completely booked; however, members may stay at the Westin Oaks (located at the Galleria) and still receive the $165 group room rate. Attendees who have not made their reservations must call the hotel directly at (713) 960-8100 to reserve rooms (February 6 deadline). Registration for mini-conferences and the awards luncheon also is currently under way (February 15 deadline). Read more...

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