Texas State Teachers Association

Last chance! Help inspire educators to vote in the next election! NEA is looking for members to submit postcard designs – the deadline to enter is June 14. There’s even a cash prize! www.nea.org/postcard
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The June 2024, Young Adult Level Read Across America title is Friday I’m In Love by Camryn Garrett
Mahalia couldn’t afford a big Sweet Sixteen like her best friend, Naomi, so works to throw herself a coming-out party instead.
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book/friday-im-love

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/06/11/federal-judge-strikes-down-biden-administration-guidance-meant-to-protect-lgbtq-students/

Federal judge strikes down Biden administration guidance meant to protect LGBTQ students The ruling struck down the Biden administration's guidance on protections for gender identity and sexual orientation in education.

For those looking to expand their American history lessons, we've compiled some background information and classroom resources for teaching Juneteenth and the meaning of freedom. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/teaching-juneteenth-and-meaning-freedom

You can also check out our Read Across America recommended K-12 booklist to help students learn about and appreciate the significance of Juneteenth. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/books-celebrate-juneteenth

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https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-06-10/plano-isd-board-votes-to-close-four-schools-citing-budget-concerns
A bill that would’ve increased the basic allotment and teacher salaries died after Texas House members passed an amendment removing a school voucher program from the bill. Gov. Greg Abbott said he would veto any legislation that doesn’t include what he refers to as school choice.

Plano ISD board votes to close four schools, citing budget concerns The Plano ISD school board voted to close Davis Elementary, Forman Elementary, Armstrong Middle School and Carpenter Middle School for the 2025-2026 school year.

https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114895

It’s Greg Abbott’s fault if your school district is facing a budget crunch | Off the Kuff Staring down a $100 million deficit budget, even after deciding to close three campuses in February, Aldine ISD trustees have a difficult decision to make this week.

The June 2024, Middle Grade Level Read Across America title is Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson.
Twelve-year-old Ellie’s complacency with living her life in the shadow of others changes after she develops supernatural powers after an earthquake.
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book/ellie-engle-saves-herself

https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/vouchers-texas-education-public-constitution-19499569.php
Through purely political actions and inaction, there continues to be disregard for Article 7, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution, which states: “It shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an effective system of public free schools.”

Abbott needs to call special session to fund public schools The Texas governor needs to restore trust that he is, in fact, committed to doing what is necessary to fund public education.

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/07/unt-president-harrison-keller-thecb/
Keller has been commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2019.

University of North Texas names Harrison Keller as sole finalist for president Keller has served as the commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2019.

Help inspire educators to vote in the next election! NEA is looking for members to submit postcard designs – the deadline to enter is June 14. There’s even a cash prize! www.nea.org/postcard
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Check out the TSTA Mobilize page for trainings and webinars!

https://www.mobilize.us/tsta/

Coming up this week: Educator Mental Health: It’s Okay to Be Not Okay. The NEA Health and Safety Program and Active Minds, a leading mental health non-profit organization, have partnered on a presentation on educators’ mental health, including approaches to discussing mental health in educational environments, how to advocate for mental health services and resources, and ways to identify mental health needs both within yourself and among your peers. The webinar will be held on June 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CT.

No student or educator should be scared to come to school—and our lawmakers must take action to prevent further gun violence on our schools and campuses. This Gun Violence Prevention Month, we are asking members and supporters to join us in taking action here: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/congress-must-vote-bills-prevent-gun-violence

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Thank you to Representative Martinez Fischer, House Democratic Caucus chair, for standing with Texas public schools, students and educators! We need more champions of public education in Texas government, and the only way to elect them is to Vote Education First!
Rep. Martinez Fischer is pictured here with President Ovidia Molina and Yvonne Salazar of Socorro AFT.
Democratic Party

TSTA president Ovidia Molina and Yvonne Salazar of Socorro AFT present the Champion of Public Education Award to the Texas House Democratic Caucus for killing private school vouchers last year. The presentation was made during the Democratic State Convention in El Paso. We need more champions of public education like these, and the only way to elect them is to Vote Education First!

The June 2024, Elementary Level title is Rainbow Hands by Mamta Nainy, illustrated by Jo Loring-Fisher.
A young boy expresses his moods, showing his individuality and navigating his emotions through the different colors he paints his nails.
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book/rainbow-hands

Tomorrow, on June 8, educators, students, parents, and community members are uniting to protect the freedom to learn and teach truth. Join us on this day of action!
Resources here: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/conferences-events/events/freedom-learn-teach-truth-day-action
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President Ovidia Molina speaking to the education caucus at the Democratic State Convention in El Paso. Let’s work together to Vote Education First this November!

Student Loans Account Consolidation & Adjustment Deadline Moved to June 30. TeamTSTA members who have a FFEL, Perkins, or Parent Plus loan must first consolidate into a Direct Loan before June 30 to take advantage of the one-time account adjustment. This will credit any payments made on those loans for purposes of PSLF. For more information on PSLF and the account adjustment, please visit nea.org/pslf

June 7 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Learn more at https://wearorange.org

As we come together for Pride Month, we are speaking out for welcoming, honest, and fully funded schools where students of all races and genders are free to learn. Use our resources to foster safe and inclusive environments in our schools and empower educators, families, and communities to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights to ensure that all students can thrive.
https://tsta.org/news_center/racial-and-social-justice/
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You're invited to join a discussion about the new Title IX rules on Thursday, June 6, from 3 to 4 p.m. CT by registering here:
https://nea-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jNXQ1MAOSAGr-DJQ59-PUQ #/registration.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to join the webinar on Zoom.

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TSTA: Public education is not Sunday school (6-5-24)
To view on our website go to:https://tsta.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605-Public-ed-is-not-Sunday-school.pdf

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/05/texas-christian-curriculum-k-12/

Some Texas school officials are skeptical that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promise Proposed lesson plans could improve student performance and help teachers, Texas education officials say. Not all district leaders and education advocates are convinced.

As part of reauthorization of the Farm Bill, which uses 80% of its funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — America’s first line of defense against hunger — the House Agriculture Committee plans to vote May 23 on a plan that would, over time, effectively cut $30 billion in SNAP benefits. As many as 17 million children would be affected in a typical month, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports.

The proposed cuts are unconscionable — especially when food insecurity remains high for many families and individuals due to the loss of emergency SNAP benefits, free school meals for all, and high food prices.

Tell your member of Congress to protect and strengthen SNAP: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/strengthen-americas-most-effective-anti-hunger-program

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https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/greg-abbott-school-funding-19494679.php

Texas per-student school funding has dropped under Gov. Abbott New Texas Education Agency data show Texas public school funding has decreased since 2014, the year Gov. Greg Abbott was elected.

https://myrgv.com/local-news/2024/06/03/brownsville-isd-works-to-whittle-20-million-from-budget/
The district is facing added challenges again this year due to no increase in state funding for public education. (That's Gov. Abbott's fault. He wants to spend education tax dollars on private schools instead.)

Brownsville ISD works to whittle $20 million from budget The Brownsville Independent School District is getting closer to determining where its budget can reasonably be cut and still provide the services the community expects.

Comparing Life Insurance Get an overview of how these 3 different types of life insurance can help protect what matters most to you at various stages of your life.

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/19/asian-american-studies-texas-round-rock-isd/
Advocates for the course chose Round Rock ISD to launch the pilot because the number of Asian residents in Williamson County has increased by about 126% since 2010, according to U.S. Census data. People of Asian origin are the fastest-growing population in Texas.

A Texas high school is piloting the state’s first-ever Asian American studies course. Could politics stand in its way? The course highlights Asian Americans’ contributions in U.S. history. It also seeks to offer an honest look at the mistreatment, like the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.