August 31, 2018

State’s largest educator association commends actions by school districts to reduce violence in schools & inclusion of educators’ voices in important policy discussions

In response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recently released “School Safety Action Plan Summary,” The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), the state’s largest educator association, applauds Texas school districts for their work toward improving campus safety. ATPE state officers were among those invited by the governor’s office to offer feedback on school safety proposals announced earlier this year.

“ATPE appreciates the governor’s office including educators in these important discussions,” said Jennifer Mitchell, ATPE Governmental Relations Director. “We are encouraged by the steps that school districts are taking to ensure the safety of their students, faculty and staff. This comes at a time when our school districts are already facing serious financial challenges, and it is important to back these efforts with reliable, long-term state funding.”

Mitchell added: “ATPE hopes that educators will continue to have a seat at the table as the Texas Legislature tackles these issues during its next session.”

As the largest educator group in Texas, ATPE has a vested interest in the development of effective school safety measures. For detailed reporting on school safety developments, follow ATPE’s advocacy blog at teachthevote.org/news.

Read Gov. Abbott’s “School Safety Action Plan Summary” here.

About the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)
ATPE has been a strong voice for Texas educators since 1980. It is the leading educators’ association in Texas with approximately 100,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, future, retired and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for Texas’s five million public school students. ATPE is the ally and the voice of Texas public education. Learn more about ATPE at atpe.org.