Establishes Social-Emotional Learning Program in DOE; appropriates $2 million.
Summary
Assembly Bill 4727 establishes a Social-Emotional Learning Program within the Department of Education for public school students in kindergarten through grade 5. The program is intended to support positive youth development and academic achievement by teaching students social and emotional skills and by creating safer, more supportive school environments through tiered supports, peer and family activities, improved classroom management, and whole-school community-building activities.
The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to select participating school districts from the northern, central, and southern regions of the State, including Clayton School District, and to implement the program in two cohorts covering a total of 103 schools. The Child Connection Center in Clayton would manage administration and implementation, help identify participating schools, and oversee the hiring and placement of area-level coordinators and specialists such as social workers and behavioral health providers. The program would be phased in over three years, with full implementation no later than the third year.
Impact
The bill creates a new State education program and adds a new administrative responsibility to the Department of Education, including selection of districts, oversight of model sites, annual reporting, and evaluation of whether the program should continue or expand statewide. It also establishes a funding structure in which the State covers a portion of participating districts’ program costs for the first three years, beginning at 50 percent in year one and declining to 35 percent and 25 percent in years two and three, with a later reevaluation required. The bill appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to launch the program and would affect participating school districts, schools, and the Child Connection Center in Clayton, as well as educators and student support personnel involved in implementation.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the overall sentiment appears supportive and programmatic rather than contested. The measure is framed as a targeted investment in student well-being, school climate, and academic outcomes, with built-in reporting and evaluation to assess effectiveness. The structure suggests an interest in piloting the program before considering broader expansion.
Contention
No committee transcripts or voting history were provided, so there is no documented opposition or debate to identify. Potential points of policy interest inherent in the bill include the use of State funds for a new program, the selection of specific districts and a designated model site in Clayton, and the role of the Child Connection Center in managing implementation. Another possible area of discussion is whether social-emotional learning should be expanded statewide after the pilot period, which the bill leaves to future evaluation and recommendation.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.