tcta.org |
September 21 , 2007 |
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| Update on controversial TRS investment strategy and staff compensation plan | ||
TCTA has received several calls and e-mails regarding changes at the Teacher Retirement System that have caught the attention of educators and the media. TCTA has additional information on the recent decisions, and the chair of the TRS Board of Directors has released a statement in response to the media reports and complaints from TRS members. TCTA is monitoring this situation closely and has communicated with legislators to encourage ongoing oversight of TRS actions. We also have a meeting scheduled with TRS staff and will update our members on any new information. |
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| TEA issues tentative testing dates for 2008-09 and 2009-10 | ||
A TEA letter sent out this week proposed dates for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 TAKS testing periods. Draft versions of the testing calendars are posted on the Student Assessment Division website for public review until September 26, 2007. TEA has asked that all comments and suggestions regarding the proposed calendars be submitted via e-mail by 5:00 P.M., September 26, 2007. |
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| 2008 election season heating up | ||
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Months before the deadline for filing for legislative offices (that deadline is January 2, 2008), the election season is already heating up, with some events having a direct and significant impact on the House Public Education Committee. Find out about the changes, how they could impact House leadership and what factors could affect voter turnout in the March primary and general election. Read more… |
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| Stars within reach for educators | ||
| NASA is looking for a few good astronauts. The federal agency is currently recruiting individuals for future space missions and landings, and has specified that teaching experience in relevant fields is considered qualifying experience. The job description and requirements can be found here. | ||
| Extra Credit | ||
From time to time we come across some interesting ideas, information and websites that we think you might find useful. For all of you that love a good math problem, this website posts a new one every week and it’s available (and free!) for use in the classroom. There are special links for middle school and elementary school challenges. So sharpen your pencils and check it out! |
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| Membership Update | ||
A friendly reminder for those of you who have not yet renewed your TCTA membership for the 2007-08 school year. You are currently enjoying a grace period offered to our returning members as a professional courtesy. However, if you do not renew your TCTA membership by September 30, your coverage will lapse effective August 31, and incidents occurring during lapsed membership will not be covered. You can renew using the preprinted application that was mailed to you in August, call the Membership Department toll-free at 1-888-879-8282, or renew online using our fully encrypted and secure server. Whichever renewal method you choose, you want to keep the protections and benefits of TCTA membership. TCTA. All You Need. |
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TCTA Award Nominations |
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The 2007-08 TCTA Award forms have been mailed. Members can also find the updated forms on the official TCTA web site. The deadline for submissions is November 1. |
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| Copyright © 2007 Texas Classroom Teachers Association®. All rights reserved. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association is an independent association for Texas teaching professionals, which was founded in 1927 and has over 50,000 members across the state. TCTA is based in Austin and is the only statewide teacher association that limits Active membership to those directly involved in classroom teaching or teaching support. For more information about TCTA, please visit our Web
site at www.tcta.org. |
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