Texas Teachers Union Launches Educator's Bill of Rights

The Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) is advocating for an 'Educator's Bill of Rights' to be introduced in the 2025 legislative session, aiming to address critical issues such as teacher pay, working conditions, and adequate school funding. The bill outlines ten rights, including reasonable working hours, secure retirement, and democratic representation, as a response to the high teacher attrition rate of 12.2% and recent school closures linked to inadequate funding. Union leaders argue that the state’s education budget, unchanged since 2019, must be increased to ensure sufficient resources for public education. Governor Abbott has faced criticism from the union for not effectively allocating funds that could have supported schools, particularly following the defeat of a proposed school choice program that would have redirected $4 billion away from public education. The union's initiative has garnered support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, highlighting a growing consensus on the need for reforms in Texas's education system.