Video & Transcript Research : 'parochial school'

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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am

Joint Committee on Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • We need statewide action so communities like ours aren't left fighting, school by school, home by home
  • We need statewide action so communities like ours aren't left fighting, school by school, home by home
  • Hi, school nurse of 23 years, Lawrence Public Schools, and currently Medford Public Schools.
  • is not a required school policy.
  • In just a few months, we've completed nearly 80 product requests from schools, after-school programs,
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as a former school board member, I know what challenges it has become for a lot of schools... ...
  • a former school board member, I know what challenges it has become for a lot of school districts that
  • Rick Brown, I'm here representing the School Energy Coalition, which is a group of schools and private
  • Unified School District.
  • The School of the Arts is a nationally known school. Samueli Academy is a nationally known school.
Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • They have lost track of where to go after high school and may not have even finished high school.
  • School accountability system.
  • When the 2.6% add-on was added to the high school grant, the idea was that local school districts could
  • high school CTE programs.
  • high school or as a graduate?
Keywords: 988, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Family, schools, and law enforcement all have roles to play, but at the end of the day, Schools and law
  • The youth came in, took this high school, high school junior, I think, and again the diversion process
  • Is that the same in terms of how our educational, like school districts or individual schools treat these
  • rules, or skipping school.
  • rules, or skipping school.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion. Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system. The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2026

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • Are you aware that school districts are closing out their school year and preparing for the new school
  • They're in the schools.
  • I know my school district, Lee County School District, has had to... Thank you.
  • When our school district tried to incentivize teachers to go into the school, The kids.
  • school student.
Summary: The committee first heard a committee substitute for SB 332, which creates a narrow public meetings and public records exemption for certain pre-suit settlement communications in Bert Harris claims involving local governments and private property rights. The sponsor said the change is intended to allow confidential legal strategy and negotiation during the 90-day pre-suit period while keeping settlements and outcomes public. The strike-all amendment was adopted, supportive testimony was waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved several other measures, including SB 464 requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday; SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, which was amended to add a statement of important state interest and reported favorably after testimony from firefighters both supporting the bill and urging a longer benefit window; SB 576 on local government cybersecurity, which was amended to route the program through the Florida Digital Service and strengthen state-local coordination; SB 964 clarifying how certain gift and honoraria disclosures are filed with the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with a delayed effective date; SB 830 creating public records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096 clarifying the filing deadline for employment discrimination complaints; and SB 1656 designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. All were reported favorably. The committee also considered a slate of appointments, including a separate vote on Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employees Relations Commission, which was recommended favorably after Senator Polsky objected to the appointment and cited concerns about political ties and prior work. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 1296 on the Public Employees Relations Commission, as substituted by a committee PCS. The PCS would change union certification and recertification rules, require stronger showing-of-interest and voting thresholds, limit paid union leave in some cases, require equal access to employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for state-funded salary increases. The bill drew extensive testimony, with supporters arguing it would improve accountability, transparency, and taxpayer fairness, and opponents—many of them teachers, bus drivers, and other public employees—saying it would weaken collective bargaining, burden workers, and function as union busting. Members raised constitutional concerns about the single-subject rule and collective bargaining protections, and debate was ongoing at the end of the transcript.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 10th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Earlier, I was not able to move away and go to school, so I depended on local schools to help me.
  • It’s extremely expensive to go to school.
  • And the undergraduate school and Georgia State, like UWF and like Pensacola State College, was the school
  • I had to pay my way through both undergraduate school as well as law school.
  • and Riverside Presbyterian Day School.
Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's Russell Elementary School and Lillian Street Elementary School, where the ICE officers came in in
  • It's happening on their way to school.
  • The fact that enrollment in public schools throughout the state, but especially in schools that have
  • Braun was a standout tennis star at Loyola High School. school, a gifted athlete, a dedicated student
  • My son attended Loyola High School with Bron, and the school has a philosophy. seek to instill in their
Keywords: 988, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • school mapping data program. program. program.
  • It would make sure that everybody in the field has access to mapping of the schools, all schools, not
  • <00:02:13.680> uh schools. all schools, not just uh schools. all schools, not just uh public
  • the schools would be completed.
  • have also reported increased high school have also reported increased high school graduation<00:
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The House Budget Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met without a quorum and heard presentations on several workforce and school-safety funding requests. The first item was a proposal for a school mapping data program, presented by Rep. Steve Bratcher with law enforcement and mapping partners. They said the plan would move money to the 911 system so school maps could be embedded there and kept current for all schools, public and private, to improve response times and officer, student, and teacher safety. The request was described as a $10 million one-time appropriation, with an estimate that the work could be completed in about a year. The committee then heard testimony on the Be Proud Initiative, a mobile workshop program aimed at exposing students age 13 and up to skilled trades and related education and career opportunities. Speakers from the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, MI2, the Kentucky Treasury, and the Associated General Contractors said the program would improve perceptions of manufacturing, construction, and metals careers, connect students to training and employers, and help build the workforce pipeline. They said private industry would contribute $1 million in FY 2026-2027 before state funds are released, and requested $3 million in state funding in FY 2027-2028 contingent on that match. A Treasury official said handling the funds through the Treasury would have minimal impact on the office. Committee members responded favorably, including a comment from Rep. Bojanowski about the value of hands-on learning for students who struggle with test-focused instruction. Speakers also explained that the program includes classroom materials before and after the truck visit and ongoing outreach for students and parents. The final presentation was on an MI2 metals career pathway proposal, which cited economic impact data for Kentucky’s metals industry and asked for a $3 million one-time investment for FY 2027-2028 to pilot a middle- and high-school pathway in Carroll and Logan counties. The proposal would be matched by industry funds and used for curriculum, equipment, dual-credit and apprenticeship connections, student stipends, and parent outreach. The chair closed by noting it was the final scheduled meeting of the session and moved toward adjournment.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • schools act of 1988.
  • Sure school choice tribal nations believe in school choice and in local control of their their schools
  • We're concerned about the possibility of school choice model that relates to school choice.
  • Schools becoming under BIA control would take away funding from BIA controlled schools.
  • ' existence there at school.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • For those of you who may or may not know, the Henderson School is an incredible magnet school that's
  • I went to Ole Miss for law school.
  • All my children went to good schools.
  • I went to school in the East.
  • I went to undergraduate school at Yale and then Harvard Business School afterward.
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Advancing Gun and School Safety Measures | Senator Zaynab Mohamed May 15th, 2026

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, it also includes school safety aid for schools, both private and public.
  • Some said we want school safety aid for private and public schools.
  • Um, it also includes school safety aid for schools, both private and public.
  • Some said we want school safety aid for private and public schools.
  • <00:04:06.080> Um want school safety aid? Let's do it." Um want school safety aid?
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The conversation focused on a Minnesota Senate gun violence prevention package that had recently passed the Senate. The senator said the effort began in 2023 with red flag laws and was later expanded into a broader, “holistic” approach after the Annunciation church shooting, with input from families affected by the tragedy, especially the parents of Harper Moyski. The package was described as combining gun restrictions with mental health and school safety measures. The main provisions discussed were a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, a re-ban on binary triggers, a ban on ghost guns, funding for mental health services including mobile crisis and health care professionals, and school safety aid for both public and private schools. The senator said the package reflected concerns raised by families, advocates, and members from both parties, and argued that it included items Republicans had requested, such as school safety aid and mental health funding. The senator said the Senate vote was historic because it was the first time the chamber passed an assault-weapons and high-capacity-magazine ban, and the first time such a comprehensive package had been assembled. The vote was described as party-line, with disappointment that no Republicans supported it. The senator said the House should take up the bill next, criticized House Republican leaders for not bringing it forward, and urged them to at least allow a vote. The senator also argued that the measure does not take away constitutional rights and said public support for the package is strong, including in so-called purple districts.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Mon Mar 31, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 42

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ethan and Sai are the drum majors from the Mililani High School Marching Band.
  • Majors from the Milani High School Majors from the Milani High School Marching<00:22:10.640>
  • season this year the Milani High School season this year the Milani High School band<00:22:14.760
  • competition season Milani High School competition season Milani High School won<00:22:33.000>
  • But they have had such unwavering dedication to the Mililani High School students.
Keywords: 910, house, all
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-01-13 - 10:00AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But today I rise to recognize a farm to school early childhood awareness and school nutrition day at
  • school nutrition day at the state house. school nutrition day at the state house.
  • years of universal school meals. years of universal school meals.
  • breakfast and lunch at school breakfast and lunch at school every<00:05:15.919> day.
  • ,<00:05:45.120> and school nutrition, farm to school, and school nutrition, farm to school
Keywords: 926, house, all
Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the introduction of 23 House bills by number only after suspending the rules. Members then made several announcements, including birthday recognition for a member from Derby, a farm-to-school and universal school meals observance highlighting local agriculture, school nutrition, and five years of universal school meals, and welcomes for guests including the Garvey family, who were connected to legislation that became H.613. Additional announcements noted upcoming caucus meetings for Working Vermonters, Vermont’s economy, the rural caucus, and House Progressives, along with a reminder that a House photo and workplace training would follow adjournment. On the action calendar, the House took up H.28, relating to adding an affirmation option to oath requirements in titles 1 through 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. The bill was read a third time and passed on voice vote. The chamber then considered H.409, relating to procedures for bail revocation. Representative Goodnau of Brattleboro offered an amendment, which was adopted on voice vote, and the amended bill was then read a third time and passed on voice vote. The discussion on H.409 referenced a Judiciary Committee straw poll and described the amendment as making the bill a more accurate reflection of its purpose. After completing the day’s orders, members made final caucus and scheduling announcements. The House Democrats and House Republicans said they would not caucus that day, while House Progressives announced a noon meeting in Room 44. The House then voted to adjourn until Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., with the motion approved by voice vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Aug 6th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • In our public schools. In a public school.
  • But it still went on, that school districts, school district by school district, school board by school
  • I'll never forget a school district call. me about it's now a school district in Senator Huffman's district
  • The school board, the school district, the parents, the fights that they had within.
  • Would your bill, Senate Bill 7, provide a standard so that every school district and every school board
Bills: SB15, SB9, SB7, SB1, SB2, SB67, SB15, SB9, SB7
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure May 18th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the head of schools at John Curtis Christian School, and also the head football coach.
  • We have the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, which governs our high school athletics.
  • They are with their schools.
  • So does this bill address only high school students or high school and college? Thank you, Mr.
  • So does this bill address only high school students or high school and college?
Bills: SB389, SB525
Summary: The Civil Law and Procedure Committee met on May 18, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 389 by Senator Connick, which would update Louisiana’s athlete-agent law to address NIL representation for high school and college athletes. Testimony from the Attorney General’s office said the bill is needed because NIL agents are currently largely unregulated, especially as NIL activity has expanded into high school sports. Assistant Attorney General Olivia Nuss explained that the measure adopts a revised Uniform Athlete Agent Act framework, creating a state registry and oversight process for agents representing student-athletes in endorsement and NIL matters. John Curtis, head of school and football coach at John Curtis Christian School, testified in support, saying agents are increasingly approaching young athletes and families without qualifications, charging high fees, and sometimes trying to steer athletes to schools. Committee members asked about how the system would work, who would administer it, and whether the Louisiana High School Athletic Association would have a role. Witnesses said the Department of Justice would house and enforce the program, while LHSAA would help disseminate information to schools, parents, and athletes. Members also raised questions about contracts involving minors and whether the bill should address agreements extending past the age of majority. The committee adopted technical Amendment Set 5462, then reported SB 389 as amended without objection. Afterward, Senate Bill 525 was voluntarily deferred at the author’s request, and the committee adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 15, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, school counselors, school librarians.
  • So James Campbell High School, Maui High School, Waipahu High School, Mililani High School, and Leilehua
  • High School.
  • WA High School, Farington High School, WA High School, Farington High School, Pearl<00:31:06.960>
  • Santa Monica High School. School. School.
Keywords: 910, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Press Conference: Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Dec 9th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , their school property taxes, go down 45 to 50 percent.
  • We are on a path now to eliminate school property taxes.
  • to get rid of all school property taxes?
  • what's happening to the school funding?
  • No, the schools are not losing any money.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits Nov 5th, 2025

JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Transcript Highlights:
  • represent non-Washington school districts.
  • This indicates that few Washington school districts are outliers one way or the other.
  • represent non-Washington school districts.
  • a binary variable to each school district representing which state it was in.
  • Finally, we selected 11 school districts for closer review.
Summary: The JLARC I-900 Subcommittee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on special education services, focused on comparing student needs, district identification practices, and funding. Auditors said Washington does not appear to under-identify any particular population for special education, though districts face ongoing challenges with identification, documentation, staffing shortages, and inconsistent referral tracking. They explained that their analysis used statistical models because the true prevalence of disabilities is unknown, and found Washington districts generally clustered near the national average, with little evidence that any demographic group was systematically under-identified. The audit also found that special education funding has historically been insufficient, with districts collectively covering about $500 million in costs not paid by state or federal sources, and that districts spent about 26% more per student than they received in funding. Auditors noted recent legislative changes that removed the special education enrollment cap and changed the safety net process, but said it was too soon to assess their effects. Their recommendations to OSPI included clarifying what counts as an official special education referral, requiring districts to report referral data even when no evaluation follows, and ensuring the new statewide data system is developed with district input, training, and possibly a mandate for uniform use. OSPI staff said they concurred with the report and appreciated the work of the auditor’s office and JLARC. During member questions, Representative Paulette raised concerns that the audit did not directly examine prevalence of specific disabilities, such as autism and dyslexia, in vulnerable populations or compare Washington’s identification practices to medical and peer-reviewed prevalence data. Auditors responded that medical prevalence is not known in a systematic way, that educational eligibility differs from medical diagnosis, and that the report’s conclusions should not be read as proving no populations are under- or over-identified. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Feb 26th, 2025

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • system. ...working in your school system.
  • I mean, you know, we make exceptions for choice schools, charter... exceptions for choice schools, charter
  • schools, and everybody else.
  • Right at about $20,000 for one school.
  • , and high schools.
Bills: SB92, HB9, HB9
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Session (12/17/2025)

New Hampshire House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , from John Stark Regional High School, from John Stark Regional High School, guests<00:12:39.279
  • harassment in their schools harassment in their schools out<00:42:29.839> of<00:42:30.000
  • > the<00:42:57.040> school<00:42:57.280> board In Keen High School, the school board
  • In Keen High School, the school board decided<00:42:58.720> to<00:42:58.880> spend<00:
  • . schools. schools.
Keywords: 1189, house, all