When the 86th Texas Legislature convened in January, Gov. Greg Abbott declared that the state must invest more in public education, and newly elected House Speaker Dennis Bonnen stocked the House members’ lounge with Styrofoam cups that read “School Finance Reform, The Time Is Now.” Now, sine die (the last day of the legislative session) has passed, and legislators have returned home to their constituents having achieved their goal of passing major school finance legislation (HB 3).

Here’s a look at the major education legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. HB 3 does not contain any specific provisions pertaining to science education, but of course any legislation affecting public education in such a fundamental away will have an impact on Texas science educators.

With just over two weeks left in the 86th legislative session, Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have appointed a conference committee to hammer out the differences between the versions of school finance bill HB 3 passed by the House and Senate.

STAT periodically receives requests for assistance from PhD students conducting surveys as part of their dissertations. A committee reviews these requests and determines whether to publicize the survey to our community. This message is from a PhD candidate at Texas Tech who is conducting a survey on the barriers science teachers face when teaching about issues such as climate change. Please consider taking the survey: https://educttu.az1.qualtrics.com/j…/form/SV_5iQXWwcksVlcE1n

Opportunity to Participate in PACT Standard Setting Conference

Message from Oak Hill Technology on Behalf of TEA and Pearson

STAT received the following message late last week inviting Texas science educators to apply to participate in the Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT) Standard Setting Conference in late April in San Antonio. The deadline to apply is the close of business Monday, April 8, 2019.

On behalf of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Pearson, Oak Hill Technology Inc. is currently recruiting Texas educators to participate in the Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT) Standard Setting Conference.  

The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) applauds the April 3 passage of House Bill 3 by the Texas House of Representatives on a 148-1 vote. HB 3 represents a significant investment in public education and would pump $6.3 billion of new funding into Texas public schools. The bill would also dedicate $2.7 billion to property tax compression.

Congratulations to These Outstanding Educators!

The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual awards program. The STAT Awards Committee is honored to announce the following educators as STAT's 2018 Statewide Award recipients. Join us to recognize them Thursday, November 1, during the general session at the 2018 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching.

Outstanding Science Educator of the Year Awards

The STAT Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards recognize excellence in science teaching. The awards are presented to STAT members in the following categories:

TEA Press Release

Two Texas teachers announced as 2016 presidential teaching award recipients

AUSTIN – Commissioner of Education Mike Morath announced that Denise Koontz, a teacher in the Keller Independent School District, and Misty Ruth, a teacher in the Pasadena Independent School District, have been selected as national winners representing Texas for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST is the highest recognition a mathematics or science teacher may receive for exemplary teaching in the United States.

“I congratulate Denise Koontz and Misty Ruth on this national recognition,” said Commissioner Morath. “These two teachers are representative of the outstanding work taking place in math and science classrooms all across our state.”

The nine-member Science Teachers Association of Texas Executive Board is STAT's governing body and provides strategic, programmatic, and financial direction and oversight for the association.

In 2018, five positions on the Executive Board—President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and two Member-at-Large positions—were up for election. The STAT Nominating Committee presented to members a slate of three officers and an election among six Member-at-Large candidates. Following a two-week voting period, the election concluded April 19.