If you thought the dust up over the pension benefits of public employees had yet to make its way to Texas, think again.
A group of Houston businessmen have launched a statewide campaign to significantly change the retirement benefits of teachers, firefighters, police, and other government employees. Texans for Public Pension Reform headed by Houston lawyer Bill King contends that taxpayers can no longer afford to fund guaranteed retirement plans for government workers and proposes moving them to retirement accounts akin to 401(k) plans. The pension reform group’s ideas are likely to crop up in the 2013 legislative session.
Those who support public pension systems believe statewide pension plans are in good shape and that steps can be taken to reduce risk without doing away with them. They see “no good intentions” in the reform initiative and responded by creating Texans for Secure Retirement to protect guaranteed retirement benefits for public workers. The state’s funds, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) and Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), are both relatively strong, having more than the benchmark level 80 cents for every dollar needed to pay their long-term obligations.
An article posted on the Texas Budget Source 
Web site contends that might not be the case long term. It states that the funding ratio of both funds will erode in 2012 because lawmakers lowered the state’s contribution to 6 percent to save money. Contributions will increase again in 2013, but if either fund dips below the 80-cent mark, the drop could “force reform on lawmakers.”
—“Battle brewing over Texas public pensions,” by Kate Alexander, Austin American-Statesman, Aug. 29, 2011.
—“Eroding pension fund ratios may force reform on lawmakers in 2013,” by Curt W. Olson and Jordan Brownwood, texasbudgetsource.com, June 8, 2011.
Finding enough math and science teachers is a challenge for school districts across Texas. For those in the El Paso area, help is on the way.
The University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) will get a $3.2 million, five-year grant through the U.S. Department of Education to train about 250 recent college graduates, midcareer professionals, and early retirees through its alternative certification program to teach math and science to middle- and high-school students. UTEP is the only Texas university to get the grant money.
It’s no secret that district hiring is down considerably, but qualified science, technology, math, and engineering teachers are always in demand. The demand could increase in the near future. Darlene Brown, director of UTEP’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program, noted that a high percentage of the teachers in Ysleta and El Paso ISDs are already eligible for retirement or will be in a couple of years.
—“UTEP grant to help fill need for math, science teachers,” by Caylor Ballinger, El Paso Times, Oct. 7, 2011.
Teacher unions remain the most powerful and visible advocates for teachers. But new groups have emerged to speak on behalf of some teachers and are gradually becoming involved in policy conversations, ranging from teacher evaluation to seniority to professional development.
Los Angeles has NewTLA, a group that operates as a caucus within the city teachers’ union. The group formed out of frustration with the local union’s failure to offer proposals on teacher evaluation and professional development. New York City has the Educators 4 Excellence group, which has purposely worked outside of the teachers’ union because the group’s founders didn’t feel their interactions with the union were productive.
One important factor leading to the rise of such groups could be demographic changes. According to an analysis of federal data conducted by Teach Plus Policy Fellows, a Boston-based group, more than half (52 percent) of all teachers now have 10 or fewer years of experience in the teaching profession. Celine Coggins founded the group in 2007 and believes that it helps teachers hone their leadership skills and could keep them in their jobs. “Having a say in how our schools look and function will play a role in [teachers’] decision making about whether they’re going to stay for another 10 years, or two, or five,” said Celine Coggins, the group’s founder.
Educators 4 Excellence was formed by Evan Stone and Sydney Morris, two New York City teachers who were frustrated by a lack of control over district policy decisions. The group quickly attracted plenty of like-minded colleagues. “There are all these changes created at the 30,000-foot level pushed down to you,” Morris said. “It’s our mission to include teachers in creation of those changes.”
Those critical of the groups describe them as “Astroturf,” or grassroots organizations that are actually a front for a vested interest. Educators 4 Excellence and Teach Plus have both receive funding from the Gates Foundation and their positions on some key issues are consistent with those set out by the foundation.
—“New Groups Giving Teachers Alternative Voice,” by Stephen Sawchuk, Education Week, Sept. 14, 2011.
