Fighting for
Texas Public Schools Since 1880
If you want the news when it happens...if you want ideas for your classroom...if you expect your organization to stand up for you, your students, and your profession, TSTA is your organization.
Affiliated with the National Education Association
We are the National Education Association in Texas. We stand 2.7 million members strong nationwide.
Top Five Reasons to Join TSTA/NEA
1. Political clout at the local, state, and national levels: Political clout is electing candidates who support public education and defeating those who don't. Real political power is writing the laws we need, and defeating the laws that will be devastating to you and students.
2. The best legal defense when you need it: In today's world, no education employee should walk onto a worksite without legal protection. TSTA has protected members for over 125 years. We have the clout, the legal team and the money to give you a fair shot at justice. We also provide more liability insurance than you'll ever need. No liability claim against an educational employee has ever exceeded our coverage.
3. Help when you need it: Call 877-ASK-TSTA toll free from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday (8-5 summers); experts from every TSTA center, including our top-notch legal center, can assist you and your local association with legal, professional, and organizing needs.
4. Information you need: Whether you need a lesson plan or the latest education news, TSTA/NEA provides the information you need. Sign up for our weekly electronic newsletter and visit all the great NEA web sites for lesson plans, grant opportunities, ways you can save money, and much more.
5. Assistance with your job and your life: You chose an education career because you care about kids. As a TSTA/NEA member, you belong to the largest democratically run, member controlled, professional organization in the world. We have the resources to help you do your job well. Our NEA and TSTA Member Benefits programs provide you with the buying power that comes from having 2.8 million members.
Because of the Texas State Teachers Association's efforts over the years,
employees now enjoy the following benefits:
1930's--Founded the Teacher Retirement System
1949--State minimum teacher salary
1969--Guaranteed five days sick leave
1981--Term Contract Nonrenewal Act
1984--30 minute duty-free lunch
1985--Health insurance for retired teachers
1986--Paperwork reduction law
1987--Discipline bill
1987--Repealed subject matter testing
1989--Retire at 55 with full salary
1990--Site based decision-making (special session)
1991--Sick leave for ESP's
--Payroll deduction for association dues
--School districts required to offer health
insurance comparable to state employees
1993--Grandfathered in Career Ladder stipends when program was abolished
1995--Independent hearing officer for termination/suspension without pay cases
--Teachers allowed to remove a student and bar their return to the same class
1997--"Rule of 80" for full retirement benefits
--5.5% across the board increase in state minimum salary schedule
1999--Increase TRS multiplier to 2.2%
--$3,000 increase in state schedule and required "pass thru" to teachers, etc.
2001--Statewide health insurance plan with $1,000 supplement for premiums
--Increase TRS multiplier to 2.3%
2003--Killed 40 bad bills in the 78th Legislature
--Fixed problems with librarians, counselors, nurses, etc. who make over
$50,000 to receive $500 stipend
2005--NEA and some of its affiliates, including TSTA and the Laredo I.S.D., filed a lawsuit against
the federal government on the No Child Left Behind Act.
2006--$2,500 pay raise for teachers
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
