Legal

Legal

Winter Prep for Texas Educators: A Practical End-of-Semester Checklist

As winter break nears, educators juggle grades, compliance, and classroom management. Use this end-of-semester checklist to stay organized, meet key deadlines, and start the new year ready to recharge and refocus.

November 18, 2025

Legal

What happens when TEA takes over a school district: A guide for district employees

When the Texas Education Agency takes over a school district, big changes will likely follow. Learn what a state takeover means for employees, what might stay the same, and how to prepare for a smooth transition.

November 13, 2025

Legal

What Texas SB 412 means for educators and librarians

SB 412 changes how Texas law treats “harmful” materials in schools, eliminating an important defense once available to educators and leaving teachers and librarians more vulnerable to complaints.

October 30, 2025

Legal·TxEd

What Texas Public School Employees Should Know About the New “Bathroom Bill” (SB 8)

A new state law changes how Texas public schools must regulate restroom access. Learn what SB 8 requires and how educators can prepare.

October 15, 2025

Classroom·Legal·TxEd

TEA Guidance Eases Confusion Over SB 12

New TEA guidance helps clarify Senate Bill 12, a Texas law requiring parental consent for student health services. The update distinguishes between routine care and intensive services, potentially easing concerns among school staff and districts.

September 25, 2025

Legal·TxEd

HB 2: Teacher Retention Allotment and Support Staff Retention Allotment

A new Texas law provides permanent pay raises for teachers and support staff. Learn how the Teacher Retention Allotment and Support Staff Retention Allotment work, who qualifies, and what guidance the Texas Education Agency has released.

September 24, 2025

Legal

Public Educators and the First Amendment

As educators’ social media posts come under increased scrutiny following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, here is important information for Texas public educators to know about their First Amendment rights.

September 15, 2025

Classroom·Legal

Your Classroom and Library Materials: What Texas SB 13 Means for School Employees

Texas Senate Bill 13 brings new rules for school and classroom library materials, including stricter approval processes, expanded parental rights, and broader access to challenging books across Texas public and charter schools.

September 11, 2025

Legal·Podcast

The ATPE Podcast: Miscellaneous Types of Educator Leave

In this episode of The ATPE Podcast, ATPE Managing Attorney Lance Cain wraps up our three-part series on educator leave, focusing on assault leave, civic duty leave, military leave, administrative leave, and more.

August 28, 2025

Classroom·Legal

The Impact of SB 12 on SEL Practices

Is it now against the law to conduct a daily “mood meter”? Likely yes.

August 27, 2025

Classroom·Legal

What Educators Should Know About the “Ten Commandments” Law

A federal court has blocked the law in 11 school districts (for now), but SB 10 goes into effect for the rest of the state Sept. 1. What is your district’s responsibility, and what’s yours?

August 21, 2025

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Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Dec. 19, 2025 December 19, 2025
Happy Holidays from ATPE! The ACLU of Texas is challenging SB 12 in federal court, and ATPE has distributed candidate surveys to those running for statewide, legislative, and SBOE seats.
Gov. Abbott’s property tax promise and the split in the Texas GOP December 18, 2025
Property taxes aren’t just a political talking point. They’re the main revenue source for vital local services, including police, fire, and public education.
From The Texas Tribune: Texas Education Agency taking over Lake Worth, Connally and Beaumont school districts December 12, 2025
The three interventions come after the state’s education agency announced plans to take over Fort Worth ISD in October.

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