The House Public Education Committee called a formal meeting Friday, April 23, to review pending business. The committee voted out the following bills, which will go to the full House for consideration:
- CSHB 41 by Rep. James Talarico (9-1 vote) would require public pre-K programs to enact a class-size limit of 22 students. The substitute clarifies that the class-size limit and teacher-student ratio applies to all public pre-K programs, including those provided by or on behalf of charter schools and ensures waivers would be available for districts unable to comply due to financial considerations.
- CSHB 97 by Rep. Gina Hinojosa (8-2 vote) would prohibit charter schools from discriminating on the basis of a student’s disciplinary history when considering admissions to their institutions. The substitute removes provisions that would have allowed certain discipline history information to be provided to a charter school prior to enrollment.
- CSHB 144 by Rep. Mary Gonzalez (10-2 vote) would require that districts prepare written individualized education program supplements. The substitute provides that a supplement is not required if the information it would contain is already in a student’s individualized education program.
- CSHB 220 by Rep. Diego Bernal (12-0 vote) would create the option for campuses to apply to become a “Additional Resource Campus.” The substitute is a legislative council draft.
- CSHB 244 by Gonzalez (12-0 vote) would provide teachers the resources to obtain computer science certification and continue professional development in coding, computational thinking, and computer science education by creating a professional development grant program. The substitute provides that the establishment of the grant program and awarding grants are discretionary on the part of the commissioner.
- HB 278 by Rep. Terry Canales (12-0 vote) would ensure that every school board member will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure effective and reliable leadership in Texas school districts.
- HB 424 by Rep. Ken King (12-0 vote) would ensure that the State Board of Education adopts instructional materials in a manner that offers districts flexibility in spending the instructional materials allotment.
- CSHB 547 by Frank (7-6 vote; with no votes from Allen, Allison, Bell, King, Meza, and VanDeaver) would allow home-schooled students to participate in UIL activities. The substitute simply makes the bill permissive.
- HB 586 by Rep. Sheryl Cole (10-2 vote) would authorize the Texas Public Finance Authority to work alongside public school districts and help finance projects that are smaller in scope or shorter in term than what a traditional bond would call for.
- CSHB 605 by Gervin-Hawkins (7-5 vote) would require each school district to adopt a healthy and safe school water plan. The substitute requires the location of the school’s water source, date of test, and results to be submitted to the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, and requires public disclosure.
- CSHB 1016 by Rep. Claudia Ordaz-Perez (12-0 vote) would provide rule-making authority for TEA, in consultation with the Texas School Safety Center and state fire marshal, to adopt rules regarding best practices and procedures regarding drills and emergency evacuations. The substitute provides rule-making authority to TEA to adopt rules regarding best practices and procedures regarding drills and emergency evacuations and requires school districts to adopt policy on active threat exercises.
- HB 1206 by Guillen (12-0 vote) would ensure the Instructional Material and Technology allotment can be used for distance learning purposes.
- HB 1252 by Rep. Joe Moody (11-0 vote) would require that TEA or its commissioner not adopt or enforce a limitations period for alleging a special education due process violation or requesting a hearing on the complaint shorter than the federal limitations period.
- HB 1302 by Guillen (12-0 vote) would provide the parameters on measuring new student achievement standards.
- CSHB 1568 by Rep. Mayes Middleton (11-1 vote), as filed, would increase the allowable margin of error for determining validity of local property valuations surveyed in the PVS, doubling it from 5% to 10%. The substitute changes the margin of error from 10% to 7.5% and changes the lower limit of the margin of error from 80% to 85%.
- CSHB 1613 by Rep. Ray Lopez (12-0 vote) would extend the deadline for certain public school teachers and principals to attend a teacher literacy achievement academy from the 2021-2022 school year to the 2023-2024 school year. The substitute provides that newly certified teachers who have demonstrated proficiency in reading instruction be exempt from having to fulfill additional training.
- HB 1726 by Rep. Steve Allison (12-0 vote) would allow the commissioner to establish rules to require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to annually report the number of reported incidents of bullying and cyberbullying.
- HB 1744 by Guerra (7-5 vote) would creates a CTE program and financial incentives that encourage high school students to become bilingual teachers.
- HB 1754 by Hernandez (10-2 vote) would mandate that public schools include the contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on all student ID cards for grades 6 through 12, in order to increase access to mental health services for students in dire need of help.
- CSHB 2193 by Dominguez (12-0 vote) would establish adaptive sports programs in junior high and high schools in Texas for individuals with disabilities. The substitute directs the UIL to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in team athletic activities by establishing, maintaining, and expanding an inclusive sports program.
- HB 2230 by Rep. John Bucy (12-0 vote) would requires the Texas education commissioner to establish a task force to study the utility, efficacy, and feasibility of incorporating fine arts into the foundation curriculum.
- CSHB 2258 by Guerra (12-0 vote) would develop a strategic plan for the improvement and expansion of high-quality bilingual education. The substitute directs TEA to evaluate the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test, which is used to certify bilingual educators, and determine if it properly identifies the competency of bilingual educators, and if not, recommend improvements.
- CSHB 2344 by Rep. Erin Zweiner (12-0 vote) would allow school districts to adopt a writing portfolio assessment as a component of the required reading exam. The substitute changes the word “may” to “shall” under Subsection C.
- HB 2465 by Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (9-3 vote) would requires the State Board of Education to develop instruction, including curriculum and instructional modules, on culturally inclusive curriculum reflecting the cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity of society.
- CSHB 2554 by Rep. Gary Gates (12-0 vote), as filed, would create the framework for the establishment of Joint Vocational School Districts. The substitute removes all language creating the framework for Joint Vocational School Districts while preserving the ability for a school district to establish a district campus charter high school or create a campus charter program to offer the Vocational Education Program. Also, the sub limits the number of hours of instruction a district can draw down funding for under the CTE allotment. The bill limits the eligibility to qualify for funding to 10 contact hours per week, per student, to limit the fiscal impact of the bill.
- HB 2664 by Rep. Armando Martinez (10-2 vote) would authorize independent school district boards to make specified changes to members’ terms and board election dates.
- HB 2681 by Rep. Terry Wilson (11-1 vote) would include grades 6 through 8 in the option to teach the Bible as an elective.
- HB 2688 by Rep. Gary VanDeaver (12-0 vote) would provide members of the public the ability to reaffirm the right of such trustees to continue serving on their local school board despite spending local taxpayer dollars giving pay raises and extending contracts only to then buy out the superintendent’s contract within 12 months at great expense.
- HB 2721 by Rep. Eddie Lucio III (12-0 vote) would prohibit extracurricular participation for students who have engaged in the conduct of assault against an extracurricular official.
- HB 2756 by Rep. Alma Allen (12-0 vote) would make food donation easier to address the critical need of food insecurity by allowing a school district or open-enrollment charter school to donate food to a nonprofit organization through a person who is directly and officially affiliated with the campus, including through a parent of a student enrolled.
- HB 2769 by Rep. Elizabeth Campos (12-0 vote) would adopt the essential knowledge and skills for the technology applications curriculum for K-12 in all Texas school districts.
- HB 2800 by Rep. Jay Dean (11-1 vote) would direct TEA to remove subjects from the STAAR that are not required by the U.S. Department of Education.
- HB 2846 by Rep. Garnet Coleman (12-0 vote) would require notification to parents by public schools if the school does not have a full-time nurse.
- HB 3033 by Rep. Stephanie Klick (12-0 vote) would add to PEIMS reporting requirements the reporting of the total number of students, including their age, race, and gender, who have been transported for emergency detention under Chapter 573 Health and Safety Code.
- HB 3089 by Rep. Lacey Hull (9-3 vote) would require meetings of the local school health advisory council to be conducted in compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act requirements to promote government transparency and community participation.
- CSHB 3204 by Chair Harold Dutton (12-0 vote) relates to the methods to achieve a college, career, or military outcomes bonus under the Foundation School Program. It would allow a student to show proof of employment post-graduation at or above a certain wage threshold set by the commissioner and allow school districts to share a portion of the bonus to students who voluntarily report and prove their wages post-graduation. The substitute empowers TEA to set thresholds for qualifications to limit impact on overall cost and must be done with existing resources. The wage criteria is set “at or above state median wage” to make clear that it is not a living wage.
- HB 3430 by Rep. Brooks Landgraf (12-0 vote) would establish a grant program for school districts or open-enrollment charter schools with campuses that are designated as Full Service Community Schools.
- CSHB 3449 by Rep. Four Price (12-0 vote) would expand the list of healthcare occupations that may be appointed or approved to serve as a member of a concussion oversight team. The substitute provides that a school district or charter school may include any person licensed under Chapter 201 or 453, Occupations Code, as a member of the district or charter school concussion oversight team provided the person meets the training requirements.
- CSHB 3456 by Rep. James White (12-0 vote) would include funds received by certain educational institutions or programs in foundation school program funds for purposes of certain budget reductions.
The substitute adds language protecting any funds received by a nonprofit entity for the purpose of operating an adult education program. - CSHB 3485 by Rep. Vikki Goodwin (12-0 vote) would require each school district to include in its PEIMS report the raw number of incidents involving several disciplinary actions. The substitute specifies that the reports from TEA and the district must be readily understandable by an individual and requires the data be disaggregated by ethnicity and special education status in addition to race and gender. CSHB 3485 removes the reporting requirement relating to students being removed from the classroom and applies only to school districts.
- CSHB 3489 by Rep. Tan Parker (12-0 vote) would develop and distribute health and safety guidelines for best practices for the effective integration of digital devices in public schools.
The substitute ensures school districts and open-enrollment charter schools address the increasing role of technology in classrooms and would require TEA to develop model best health and safety guidelines for the effective integration of digital devices in public schools. - CSHB 3862 by VanDeaver (12-0 vote) would give a school board the authority to remove a disruptive school board member if found to have acted in violation of laws and policies. The substitute states any vacancy because of a removal from office shall be filled in compliance with the Education Code, Section 11.060.
- CSHB 3591 by Rep. Jacey Jetton (12-0 vote) would authorize a grant program to provide high-speed internet to facilitate instruction and learning for students in school districts and charter schools. The substitute requires the commissioner to establish the grant program only if the Legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.
- HB 3932 by Bernal (12-0 vote) would replace current language with language consistent with National MIC3 recommendations which specify frequency and conduct of Council meetings, as well as setting important reporting requirements that would benefit data driven analysis in the future.
- HB 3979 by Rep. Steve Toth (8-4 vote) would require the State Board of Education to adopt civic knowledge and skills requirements in the social studies curriculum.
- HB 4124 by Hinojosa (13-0 vote) would wallow a special purpose school district operated by an institution of higher education to prioritize military-connected students when enrolling students or creating a waitlist for enrollment. School districts may enroll and receive funding if the student: is a dependent of a member of the U.S. military; was previously enrolled in school in Texas; and does not reside in the state due to military deployment or transfer.
- CSHB 4257 by Allen (10-2 vote) would require that school districts develop a plan for providing support to students, teachers, and district staff in the event of a crisis.The substitute changes language from “mental health first aid” to “psychological first aid.”
- HB 4509 by Rep. Greg Bonnen (12-1 vote) would require the SBOE to adopt TEKS that develop students’ civic knowledge, including an understanding of the foundations of the American experiment in self-government, as well as the history and traditions of civics in the U.S.; the structure, function and process of government institutions at the federal, state, and local levels; and an understanding of the founding documents of the U.S.
- HB 4525 by Gates (11-2 vote) would give the SBOE more authority to: streamline the approval process for virtual CTE, create quality guidelines for virtual CTE curriculum, and host virtual CTE courses on current TEA platforms. Platforms could include the TRR for approval, the Home Learning platform for distribution. HB 4525 inserts new language into Section 28.002(o), Texas Education Code, to require SBOE to approve courses delivered online.
Next week, the committee will begin hearing education-related bills passed by the Senate. See the list of bills on the April 27 agenda.
