Texas American Federation of Teachers

10/22/2024 | News release | Archived content

Oct. 18, 2024: United Against Book Bans

Friday, Oct. 18, 2024

United Against Book Bans

This Saturday, Oct. 19, libraries, bookstores, readers, and partners nationwide are hosting rallies and community events to unite against book bans and demonstrateour shared commitment to a fundamental freedom: the freedom to read.

Book bans and challenges in the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2023 and continue to happen at an alarming rate. It'scrucial to show support for your local libraries and the freedom to read.

There are multiple events for the Freedom to Read Day of Action planned in North and Central Texas, and you can find information on the campaign website.While there, be sure to sign the Freedom to Read Pledge, which will connect you with your congressperson's office.

This is a crisis that impactsall of us. The freedom to read is a fundamental right that must be protected. How can you stand with fellow educators, students, and readers across America this weekend?

In this week's Hotline:

  • Did y'all watch the debate between Rep. Colin Allred and Sen. Ted Cruz? We did.
  • Let'slook at one of the most important races for Texas schools this November: San Antonio's House District 118.
  • Early voting starts Monday. Do you have your planto vote?
  • A new report documentsthe unending churn of charter school closures and how they hurt the kids they claim to help.

- Senate Debate



A Tale of Two Texans: Cruz and Allred Face Off in Crucial Senate Debate

In a pivotal moment for Texas politics, incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz and challenger Rep. Colin Allred squared off in what may be their only televised debate before the Nov. 5 election. The Oct. 15 showdown in Dallas revealed the stark choice facing voters in the race to representTexas in the U.S. Senate, pitting Cruz's divisive brand of right-wing, culture war politics against Allred's promise of unity and pragmatism.

- Election



Election 2024 Spotlight: Winning HD 118 for Working Texans

Kristian Carranza is making waves in her run to representDistrict 118 in the Texas House of Representatives, with a focus on strengthening public education. As a community organizer who grew up in Southside San Antonio, Carranza has firsthand experience with the struggles of working families, which has shaped her political platform.

- Election







Election 2024: Early Voting Is Here!

Early voting across Texas starts Monday, Oct. 21, and will run until Friday, Nov. 1. With only four days until early voting starts, now is the time to make your plan to vote!

- Privatization

'Doomed To Fail': New Report Shows How Charter School Churn Harms Students They Purported to Help

Charter schools in Texas have become synonymous with instability, especially as the state has a 30-34% closure rate for charter schools according to a new reportfrom the National Center for Charter School Accountability and the Network for Public Education. This trend has left countless students, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, scrambling for a quality education and straining the limited resources public schools already have.

- Survey

Texas AFT members: It'sthat time of year. Our annual membership survey is in your inbox! Please check your email for the survey and share your feedback on our union's priorities for the next year. Don'tsee it? Email [email protected], and we will resend the link.

Recommended Reading

Education news from around the state and nation that's worth your time.

HISD's $4.4 billionbond requires trust. Mike Miles hasn't earned it yet. | Endorsement. From the beginning, this editorial board made it clear that, if the takeover had to happen, we wanted Superintendent Mike Miles to succeed. Kids' futures at chronically failing campuses depended on it. We also implored Miles to build trust among teachers, parentsand the general community. At almost everyturn, he failed tobuild that trust. (Houston Chronicle, Oct. 15)

Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study says. Nearly halfof all public high school students in Texas who earn college credits before they graduate are Hispanic, a new study found. That makes Texas a national leader in closing the gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic students who participatein dual-credit programs. (The Texas Tribune, Oct. 16)

Texas' Board of Education is voting on state-developed textbooks next month. View them now. The Texas Education Agency on Wednesday released updated instructional materials the State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on in late November. The public can review the latest versions of the materials online. (KUT, Oct. 17)