What’s New in Texas Public Education

COVID-19 changes the landscape for 2020-21

Schools across Texas are experiencing a school year like no other amid the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 started spreading across Texas in March, spurring schools to finish 2019-20 with remote instruction. Many districts began 202021 the same way in August and September, with other districts postponing start dates and bringing students and teachers back to campus in smaller groups or delaying in-person instruction until October. Classrooms look different this year, with more space between desks, plexiglass partitions, hand sanitizing stations, and teachers and students wearing face masks and other personal protective equipment. Many students are returning to campus, but others will opt to learn remotely all year, adding an extra element to teaching duties. Along with increased workloads, educators also have been supervising their own children’s remote learning as well as spending more time calling and emailing their students to stay connected. Uncertainty surrounds every decision being made as districts adjust plans to meet needs and the current COVID-19 caseload in their communities. TCTA is advocating on your behalf, locally as members call our Legal Department to share their concerns and understand their options, and at the state level, reaching out to Gov. Greg Abbott, Education Commissioner Mike Morath and other officials to urge that student and teacher health and safety come first and that clear guidelines be put in place to help districts navigate COVID-19 disruption. While the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Education Agency expect STAAR testing and accountability ratings to proceed as usual, TCTA continues to urge officials to cancel testing and waive accountability requirements in this unusual year. COVID-19 upended traditional public education, but as with other challenges, educators across Texas are rising to the occasion and adapting to do their best to meet students’ needs. While the rights and protections outlined in this Survival Guide still apply in public schools, it is crucial that employees stay informed of any local exemptions due to COVID-19 response or other factors, such as a District of Innovation plan or partnership with a charter school or other entity (see page 34 for more on eroding teacher rights). And as always, members who have

questions or concerns about their rights and responsibilities

should call TCTA’s Legal Department at 888-879-8282. We’re here to help and will continue to advocate on your behalf. Stay safe and be well.

TCTA KEEPS YOU INFORMED & UPDATED DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The federal government, Texas leaders and local authorities are generating a massive amount of information and implementing significant policy changes intended to help school districts navigate the complexities of educating students during the coronavirus pandemic. It can all be overwhelming, and the rules are changing rapidly and continuously. TCTA wants you to have the most current and most accurate information available, so we recommend that you visit our 2020-21 COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page at tcta.org/covid19. We also create COVID-related videos for our YouTube page at youtube.com/TexasCTA, post the latest information in our eUpdate newsletter and social media, and frequently update our website with our take on topics of interest (including a popular piece addressing “What Happens if I Resign Now?” at tcta.org/ node/15456). If you don’t receive eUpdate, sign up at tcta.org/eupdate or contact the Membership Department to make sure we have your current email address on file. Make sure to add communications@tcta.org to your address book or safe senders list. Follow us and join the conversation on Facebook (facebook.com/TexasCTA) and Twitter (@TexasCTA).

BE AWARE More than 900 Texas districts now operate as Districts of Innovation, the vast majority choosing exemptions from the school start date law, and hundreds also claiming exemptions from class size limitations, teacher certification requirements and other important laws. More erosions of state law are available to districts through recent reforms that allow (or even encourage) districts to partner with charters and similar entities, thereby deregulating the affected campuses. (See page 34.)