The Senate Education K-16 Committee met Tuesday, April 1, 2025, to hear invited and public testimony on 10 bills, including several on which TASA submitted written testimony:
SB 1962 Bettencourt – This bill addresses various facets of public school accountability in Texas, including the process by which individuals aggrieved by agency actions may appeal in district courts, school board trustees’ review of evaluation tools, the validation of assessment instruments, a new industry certification list, the method for assigning performance ratings annually, defining the “Not Rated” category to ensure districts are assessed even when there have been data integrity issues or disasters, and stipulating “stringent penalties and intervention measures to uphold accountability standards.” Read the written testimony on SB 1962 submitted by TASA.
SB 2252 Creighton – This bill introduces teacher training programs (literacy and mathematics academies) for grades K-3 with financial incentives, such as stipends for attending these programs that focus on evidence-based practices. Significant amendments to reading diagnosis procedures are made, making it mandatory for districts to utilize state-approved reading and mathematics assessments to evaluate students’ foundational skills.The bill establishes allotments for students receiving reading interventions, parental support for early childhood development, and financial incentives for schools implementing additional instructional days. Read the written testimony on SB 2252 submitted by TASA.
SB 2253 Creighton – This bill reformulates several aspects of Texas’ educator preparation and certification landscape. It amends Section 12A.004 of the Education Code to limit districts of innovation from exempting certain educational mandates, especially concerning the employment of uncertified teachers. The newly created Section 21.0032 specifies guidelines under which districts can employ uncertified educators, establishing a compliance timeline that ensures all teachers meet certification requirements by the 2029-30 school year. The bill constructs new categories for teaching certificates, differentiating between standard certificates and various intern designations based on specific educational pathways. Sections 21.902 to 21.907 establish partnership programs between educational institutions and school districts aimed at facilitating preservice training for teacher candidates while offering financial incentives to encourage program participation. Provisions around educator salaries are also revised, mandating higher minimum salaries for teachers with certain certifications. Notifications under Section 21.057 have been expanded, requiring districts to inform parents of unqualified teaching assignments. To ensure compliance, Section 21.0456 sets forth sanctions for educator preparation programs that fail to meet established standards. Read the written testimony on SB 2253 submitted by TASA.
