Legal

Legal

Summertime Checklist: What to Know Before You Unplug

Before you head into summer break, make sure you're prepared. From resignation deadlines and salary steps to service records and professional development, here's what every Texas educator should review before signing off for the season.

May 20, 2025

Classroom·Legal

Summer Break: What’s Yours to Keep, and What Stays at School?

Before heading out for summer, make sure you know what classroom items are yours to take and what needs to stay. A few quick checks can help avoid confusion and ensure the year wraps up smoothly.

May 8, 2025

Legal

A Quick Guide to Contract Nonrenewal and Termination

What educators need to know about contracts and job security. Whether you're a veteran teacher or just starting out, this guide could make all the difference.

April 23, 2025

Legal

Spring Checklist: Legal Resources for the Final Stretch of the School Year

As the spring semester gets busier, this checklist created by the ATPE Member Legal Services Department can help you navigate common legal concerns.

March 27, 2025

Legal·Podcast

The ATPE Podcast: Understanding FMLA and Protected Leave for Educators

In this episode of the ATPE podcast, ATPE’s Member Legal Services Department Managing Attorney Lance Cain continues his deep dive into educator leave, focusing specifically on protected leave and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

March 27, 2025

Legal

Protecting Student Privacy: FERPA Guidelines for Educators

Educators often discuss students in various settings, but it’s essential to be aware of FERPA guidelines to avoid unintentional violations. Learn the key rules for protecting student confidentiality in your communications.

March 13, 2025

ATPE·Legal·Podcast

The ATPE Podcast: Understanding Educator Leave Policies

In the first of a multipart series on educator leave, ATPE Managing Attorney Lance Cain clarifies the often-confusing rules surrounding leave types and policies for Texas educators.

February 12, 2025

Legal·TxEd

Immigration Enforcement Activities on School Campuses

Although public schools cannot discriminate against students based on immigration status, the federal government still has the authority to enforce immigration law. What does this mean for school districts and educators?

January 28, 2025

Classroom·Legal

Addressing Aggressive Student Behavior

Violent or aggressive student behavior presents a unique set of challenges, particularly when the students involved have special needs. Educators must have a clear plan and understand the laws surrounding student removal.

January 21, 2025

Legal

Planning To Retire at the End of the Fall Semester? Don’t Forget To Tie Up Some Loose Ends.

If you work for a school district and hold a Texas Education Code Chapter 21 contract, you need to be aware of a few things before you retire during the school year.

December 11, 2024

Legal

Reasonable Accommodations: Enhancing Rights for Pregnant Workers

A new law, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, recently went into effect that should help provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and cover some additional pregnancy-related conditions that would not normally be covered by the ADA.

November 18, 2024

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Deadlines and dying bills and the promise of sine die May 28, 2025
While many Texans were enjoying a long weekend, the Texas Legislature continued to work ahead of this week's end-of-session deadlines.
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: May 23, 2025 May 23, 2025
House and Senate leadership move forward with a major school finance deal in CSHB 2. Plus, find out what’s happening at the federal level with charter schools, budget reconciliation, and the Department of Education.
Texas Senate works on testing and school finance bills as meetings wind down May 23, 2025
It was a busy week of meetings for the Senate Education K-16 Committee, and we’re finally seeing Senate movement on major House education bills.

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