New Session, New Opportunities

The elections and the holiday season are over and a new odd-numbered year is beginning, and that means that for the 89th time, the Texas Legislature is back in session. As legislators from around the state make their way back to Austin, ATPE members have many ways to get involved and stand up for their profession and their students.

ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP)

The ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP) is a new member benefit designed to empower educators to advocate for public education at both the local and state levels. This program is included in your ATPE membership and offers a comprehensive advocacy experience. Participants can earn up to three hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credit and a microcredential in either Local Advocacy or State-Level Advocacy. You also have the option to earn both microcredentials, which provides additional CPE credit. Visit the ATPE Professional Learning Portal to enroll in ATPE-MAP today. 

ATPE Capitol Expeditions

While the ATPE Governmental Relations team works hard to be your voice at the Capitol, a big part of ATPE’s success during every legislative session is rooted in our members’ engagement, including their in-person advocacy in Austin. This year, we are transitioning from a single in-person member advocacy event, affectionately known as Lobby Day in the past, to a more intimate multi-event approach we are calling Capitol Expeditions. Each expedition will offer a group of six to 10 members the opportunity to engage directly in the legislative process by testifying at hearings and visiting legislators at the Capitol in Austin. Our series of Capitol Expeditions will begin in February and continue every other week on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the session. Members who earn the State Advocacy Microcredential as part of ATPE-MAP are eligible to attend. Learn more about joining the ATPE team in Austin as a member of a Capitol Expedition here.

Advocacy Central

Although engaging with legislators in person at the Capitol is a powerful experience, your calls and emails to lawmakers also make a huge impact. ATPE helps members engage from anywhere with our powerful, easy-to-use online tool Advocacy Central. Use ATPE’s Advocacy Central to connect directly with your elected officials via email, phone, or social media on a myriad of education bills or though one of the Advocacy Central campaigns prepared by the ATPE Governmental Relations and ATPE Marketing & Engagement teams. Participate in the “Welcome Back” campaign on Advocacy Central today to start having a conversation with your legislators about the 89^th session.

ATPE Legislative Priorities

The lobby team uses the member-drafted and House of Delegates-approved ATPE Legislative Program to recommend potential legislation and take positions on and shape filed legislation. Before the start of each session, the lobby team also identifies top issues for educators and hot topics for legislators and distills ATPE’s relevant program positions into the ATPE Legislative Priorities. This session’s priorities include public education funding, educator compensation, the teacher pipeline, working conditions, and private school entitlements.

Teach the Vote

One of ATPE’s most successful political engagement tools is TeachtheVote.org, our nonpartisan voter education website and advocacy blog. During the election season, it’s a place to learn about candidates’ stances and voting records on public education issues. During the legislative session, you can still see how your current House, Senate, or State Board of Education (SBOE) member has voted in the past or responded to issues important to Texas educators through the ATPE candidate survey. However, probably the most important tool available here for ATPE members and all public school supporters during session is ATPE’s Teach the Vote blog, where you’ll find the best up-to-date information from the Texas Capitol and regulatory agencies about Texas public education. All members receive the Teach the Vote Week in Review every weekend, and you can also encourage your friends to sign up to receive it.

ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC)

Last but far from least, as we start the 89^th Texas legislative session, it is vital to remember how important the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) is to ATPE’s advocacy efforts and the overall well-being of the Texas public education landscape. Elected policymakers have an enormous impact on the ability of educators to effectively teach the state’s 5.5 million public school students. ATPE-PAC plays an important role in ATPE’s ability to encourage policymakers toward pro-education/educator policies and to support and assist those elected officials who support ATPE. The strength of ATPE-PAC is entirely dependent on ATPE members’ willingness to engage and support the fund. To learn more about ATPE-PAC and donate, visit our website today. (ATPE-PAC solicits donations from ATPE members, staff, and their families only.)

Sine die (the last day of the regular session) is June 2—and there’s always the possibility of special sessions beyond that. But no matter what the 89th Legislature throws our way, Team ATPE has the tools we need to stand up strong. I look forward to advocating with you and for you in the months to come.