Advocacy Blog

Follow the Teach the Vote advocacy blog for the latest Texas public education news and in-depth analysis from the ATPE Governmental Relations team.

Shutdown chaos deepens: Layoffs, lost oversight, and the future of IDEA
Shutdown chaos deepens: Layoffs, lost oversight, and the future of IDEA

Special education funding is in peril as the funding lapse is being used to expedite mass firings at multiple agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

By Heather Sheffield | Posted on: 10/17/2025 12:00:00 AM

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Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Oct. 17, 2025
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Oct. 17, 2025

Special education funding is in peril as the funding lapse is being used to expedite mass firings at multiple agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

By ATPE Staff | Posted on: 10/17/2025 12:00:00 AM

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Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Oct. 10, 2025
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Oct. 10, 2025

Learn what’s on the Nov. 4 ballot relating to education, plus how the government shutdown affects Texas public schools.

By ATPE Staff | Posted on: 10/10/2025 12:00:00 AM

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How the government shutdown impacts public education in Texas
How the government shutdown impacts public education in Texas

Nonessential operations within the U.S. Department of Education have been suspended, and schools are beginning to feel the ripple effects.

By Heather Sheffield | Posted on: 10/9/2025 12:00:00 AM

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Three constitutional amendments that impact public education on the November 2025 ballot
Three constitutional amendments that impact public education on the November 2025 ballot

Texas voters will consider two property tax measures and a parental rights proposal in the Nov. 4 constitutional amendment election.

By Heather Sheffield | Posted on: 10/8/2025 12:00:00 AM

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From The Texas Tribune: Texas selects company that will help develop its school voucher program
From The Texas Tribune: Texas selects company that will help develop its school voucher program

Finance and technology company Odyssey will help design the application process, manage payments and review complaints for the state’s education savings accounts.

By Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune | Posted on: 10/7/2025 12:00:00 AM

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Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Oct. 3, 2025
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Oct. 3, 2025

The Texas comptroller’s office holds a hearing on proposed ESA rules; ATPE weighs in. Plus: Register to vote in the Nov. 4 election by Monday, Oct. 6.

By ATPE Staff | Posted on: 10/3/2025 12:00:00 AM

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From The Texas Tribune: Texans ask for eligibility fixes, stronger accountability in school voucher program
From The Texas Tribune: Texans ask for eligibility fixes, stronger accountability in school voucher program

For the first time since Texas authorized the program, the state heard public testimony from people concerned about pre-K funding, special education provisions and data reporting.

By Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune, and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica | Posted on: 10/1/2025 12:00:00 AM

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Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Sept. 26, 2025
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: Sept. 26, 2025

Learn about the Texas rulemaking process and why it’s important for educators to weigh in when the opportunity is available. Plus: Register to vote in the Nov. 4 election by Monday, Oct. 6.

By ATPE Staff | Posted on: 9/26/2025 12:00:00 AM

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What happens after a bill becomes a law in Texas?
What happens after a bill becomes a law in Texas?

The agency rulemaking process influences how burdensome—or helpful—a new law will become. That’s why educators need to keep weighing in when the opportunity is available.

By Heather Sheffield | Posted on: 9/24/2025 12:00:00 AM

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