TASA has recently submitted public comments or written correspondence on several issues of importance to members.

Please see our public comments on the proposed amendment to Commissioner’s Rules that would require school districts to bear the costs of the SAT and ACT for students who take Algebra I, English I, and English II end-of course exams prior to high school. 

Please see the written correspondence that TASA and TASB sent to Commissioner George P. Bush and the two other members of the School Land Board (SLB), Scott Rohrman and Gilbert Burciaga, regarding the board’s decision to withhold funds intended for the State Board of Education’s investment in the Permanent School Fund. If the SLB does not reverse its decision, one consequence that would be extremely detrimental for Texas students would be the loss of hundreds of millions in Technology and Instructional Materials Allotment (TIMA) funding needed for the upcoming English language arts and reading adoption. The TIMA is already dwindling from numerous carveouts, so it is crucial that no additional financial resources are withheld. Another harmful consequence to school districts is the possible long-term effect that the School Land Board’s withholding of funds could have on a district’s ability to receive a PSF AAA credit rating. The SLB will meet on October 2 at 10 a.m. Watch the live broadcast. 

The current rules governing superintendent certification are posted for public comment as part of the sunset review process. Please see TASA’s comments, which encourage the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to maintain the current rules as they are sufficiently rigorous in preparing superintendent candidates. A TASA leader will testify regarding the superintendent certification rules at the October 5 SBEC meeting, which begins at 8:30 a.m. Watch the live broadcast.