Transcript Highlights:

• right we have three programs right we have three programs preschools<00:21:58.120> work<00
• Visa is a private-sector leader in financial literacy and has developed the Practical Money Skills program
• um some drafted financial literacy um some drafted financial literacy standards<00:49:19.119>
• it appears that um financial literacy it appears that um financial literacy having<00:55:22.880>
• literacy and many schools I think you literacy and many schools I think you know<00:55:59.280> are

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, HD1, which would clarify local food purchase goals for the Department of Education. DOE said it supports the measure and will work toward the 30% local food mandate by 2030. The Department of Agriculture also supported the bill, and outside advocates from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaii Farm to School Network strongly backed it as consistent with prior farm-to-school laws and helpful for measuring progress toward the goal. The committee then took up House Bill 293, which would exempt certain DOE purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products from electronic procurement rules and allow written-quote purchasing thresholds, including a lower quote requirement for some rural schools. DOE, the Department of Agriculture, the State Procurement Office, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported the measure, describing it as a tool to help the department test and add local products and meet the 30% goal. However, members pressed DOE on the bill’s purpose and mechanics, questioning why the department could not simply add products to vendor lists or use existing procurement flexibility. DOE explained it was trying to test new local products, including products not yet on the USDA-approved list, and said the bill would allow limited pilot purchases while it works through USDA approval and vendor-list updates. Members also raised concerns about whether the bill was being used to bypass procurement and whether small farmers or aggregators could realistically supply the needed volume. House Bill 1069, which would add two voting members representing DOE and the Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority, also drew support from DOE and the Board of Education. Supporters said the change would improve accountability, strategic input, and communication on school facilities matters. SFA testified that it has already increased coordination with DOE through regular meetings and that recent discussions have been more robust. Committee members questioned whether voting seats were necessary given that DOE and BOE could already attend meetings and receive updates, and they raised concerns about how a voting representative would report back and whether the measure would actually solve communication problems. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• PED will provide two professional development programs to expand recommended literacy instructional practices
• So the actual Literacy Institute is not included in the per-funded program.
• The four pillars include evidence-based literacy programming, early testing, and early disclosure of
• They have a financial literacy program that will work directly with yours and will be very effective.
• literacy initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• FIRST WILL TAKE UP TAB ONE A PROGRAM REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT SUPPORT PROGRAMS AS PART OF OUR REVIEW OF
• I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR LITERACY PROGRAM AND WHAT WE DO TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS WITH INCREASED
• A LITTLE BIT MORE ON SOME DATA THAT WE TRACK AS PART OF THE STATE REGIONAL LITERACY DIRECTOR PROGRAM,
• AS PARTS OF THIS PROGRAM.
• THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At its core, this bill establishes the Wyoming Language and Literacy Program with the goal that every
• <00:25:30.480> that Literacy Program with the goal that Literacy Program with the goal that
• And as so many school boards have done in the past, we look at literacy programs of how can we address
• And as so many school boards have done in the past, we look at literacy programs of how can we address
• And as so many school boards have done in the past, we look at literacy programs of how can we address

Bills: HB0023, HB0024, HB0025

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We collect the local literacy plan, which gives us an abundant amount of program data and soon will give
• literacy lead.
• Literacy is very important.
• literacy Network and then those literacy literacy Network and then those literacy leads<00:52:01.520
• MathCore is a great program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In FY26, you all appropriated $15 million for both out-of-school time programs and tutoring programs.
• Unlike literacy, where you have that large 14 million appropriation for literacy and the Summer Literacy
• versus a reading program versus a tutoring program we didn't think would be the appropriate place to
• and long-term literacy.
• Chair, is we have literacy coaches. Can we add, as needed, bi-literacy coaches too? Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What it is, it's an early early literacy What it is, it's an early early literacy experience.<00
• The only way you can do teach literacy.
• <00:03:24.280> to up with their own type of program to up with their own type of program to
• And I can only think back when literacy.
• both literacy and veterans. both literacy and veterans.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House received a message from the Senate returning House File 4492, an act relating to veterans, with amendments and requesting concurrence. Representative Bliss moved to concur, and members discussed the bill as a combination of veterans-related provisions and changes to Minnesota’s READ Act and literacy law. Representative Mueller and Representative Clardy explained that the bill includes technical READ Act changes, expanded disability access language to better serve deaf and hard-of-hearing students, revisions involving dyslexia-related language, transparency in ongoing literacy material review, and a timeline adjustment after the Department of Education did not complete phase two work on time. Clardy described the literacy provisions as requiring universities to develop programs to better prepare teacher candidates to teach reading using science-based methods. Representative Jordan added that the bill also provides high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars who did not previously receive one because of their service. The House approved concurrence, then took up third reading of the bill as amended by the Senate. After further brief remarks urging a green vote, the roll was called and the bill passed unanimously, 134 ayes and 0 nays. The bill was repassed as amended by the Senate, its title was agreed to, and the House then adopted a recess motion to the call of the speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• The standards are the Jump Start literacy or financial literacy standards.
• So any program that's used to teach financial literacy has been vetted and has been recognized as addressing
• So any program that's used to teach<00:30:14.080> financial<00:30:14.680> literacy teach
• with a course in financial literacy. with a course in financial literacy.
• financial literacy program in the public financial literacy program in the public schools. schools

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members. The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt. Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And more specifically, this hearing is going to highlight some of the financial literacy programs provided
• But we have a great program in San Diego State. It’s a unique program. It’s a life skills program.
• But we have a great program in San Diego State. It's a unique program. It's a life skills program.
• When I first took over the program, we were doing maybe one or two sessions a year on financial literacy
• I think what Mikey experienced at 17, I think if we can move the financial literacy and the programming

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on name, image, and likeness (NIL) and financial literacy for student athletes, with members framing California as a national leader on NIL but emphasizing the need for stronger protections and more consistent education. The chair and witnesses discussed how NIL opportunities now include both third-party endorsement deals and school revenue-sharing arrangements, and how the current landscape varies widely by institution, leaving athletes with a patchwork of rules and support. Several witnesses argued that student athletes, especially younger ones and those from low-income or first-generation backgrounds, are vulnerable to predatory contracts, tax problems, and pressure from family, agents, or lenders. The first panel featured Tyree Dillingham and Brandon Copeland, who called for standardized financial literacy, better guardrails against predatory NIL advances, and a player-led association or similar collective voice for athletes. They described examples of athletes not understanding paychecks, taxes, or contract terms, and warned that some schools and collectives blur the line between education and marketing. Copeland also argued that college athletics now functions like a professional business and that athletes need representation and a standard contract structure to protect them. The second panel focused on lived experience, including testimony from attorney Anthony Coronae and student athlete Mikey Williams. Coronae described reviewing a contract that he said functioned like a predatory loan disguised as marketing support, with the company taking exclusive rights to Williams’ NIL and requiring repayment far beyond the advance. Williams testified that he signed without a lawyer, later lost endorsements, scholarship, and housing stability, and only later learned the contract’s consequences. He said a required financial literacy course at Sacramento State helped him begin to understand budgeting, taxes, and contracts, and he urged the legislature to require legal review or stronger safeguards for athletes. The third panel, from San Diego State University, highlighted a more structured institutional model. Athletic director Brendan Hill described a mandatory four-year life-skills program that includes financial literacy, resume workshops, internships, and branding education, while student athlete Sloan Benchoff said the program helped her manage money and prepare for post-college life. Witnesses agreed that support is uneven across schools, that some agents and lenders are exploiting athletes, and that California should consider standardized financial education and agent regulation while also being careful not to create rules that unintentionally restrict athlete rights. No formal vote or bill action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has always been a Kentucky program.
• sustainability a program needs to have. sustainability a program needs to have.
• <00:15:50.160> partners' sustain their local program partners' sustain their local program
• <00:16:09.279> to creative to support local programs to creative to support local programs
• this program. this program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Senate Joint Resolution 54, sponsored by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong, was heard in committee on expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Kentucky. Testimony came from Libby Settles, Bill Shy, and Lindsay Westerfield, who described the program’s impact on early literacy and family reading habits, and outlined ways to increase enrollment. Proposed expansion ideas included automatic enrollment for children in foster care, outreach through WIC and health departments, and exploring enrollment through the birth certificate process. Witnesses also highlighted related efforts such as bilingual books, Braille Tales, and a prison-based reading space program tied to Imagination Library books. Supporters emphasized the program’s low cost and broad educational benefits, citing statewide coverage, 52% enrollment of eligible children ages birth to five, and a goal of reaching 65%. Members asked about sustaining local matching funds and handling children who move between counties. Witnesses said local partners use a five-year cost estimator, diversify funding through grants and foundations, and rely on postal change-of-address systems to transfer enrollments seamlessly. Senator Chambers Armstrong also noted that about 2,200 foster children eligible for the program were not enrolled and said the resolution would help address that gap while protecting confidentiality. The committee adopted a small oral amendment removing the word “is” from line 19 on page two, then approved the resolution as amended on a 10-0 vote with favorable expression. Members spoke in support of the measure, praising the program’s literacy benefits and bipartisan history, and the committee then voted to roll the amendment into the committee report. The resolution was reported favorably and was said to be expected to pass the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• structured literacy.
• It is a literacy piece and training teachers on how to understand the whys behind literacy and why it's
• You know, so enough said about, about the balanced literacy versus structured literacy.
• We have a sports administration program, career in tech technology, uh, uh, education program that are
• In your programs, do you have a program to train CTE teachers on the pedagogy of teaching their trade

Transcript Highlights:

• The National Teacher of the Year program is the oldest and most prestigious national honors program in
• and literacy.
• years of instructional literacy.
• It takes time to learn structured literacy.
• do with structured literacy.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 59, sponsored by Education K through 2 Language and Literacy Program, an act relating to
• Program, an act relating to language and literacy competency.
• <00:28:01.360> program.
• program. and the goal with the literacy program. and the goal with the goal<00:28:04.320> that
• voluntary water conservation program. voluntary water conservation program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certification Program, the Grads Program, and then lawsuit sufficiency fees.
• In those programs. Okay, thank you.
• The bill would require all literacy instruction for pre-K through 3rd grade students and all literacy
• So, this no longer prohibits because a lot of balanced literacy is also part of structured literacy.
• Applicable instead of literacy coaches, by literacy coaches when applicable. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think the aspiring teacher program, the grow-your-own programs, and other organic programs that
• program um the grow your own programs program um the grow your own programs other<00:08:02.400><
• it does is it changes the name from literacy incentive aid to literacy aid.
• from literacy incentive aid to literacy from literacy incentive aid to literacy aid.<00:27:56.799
• local literacy plan.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We all have heard that we have a shared goal and a shared priority of literacy.
• Let me just be blunt: literacy is learning. This isn't a partisan issue.
• <00:16:25.920> like and session law programs like and session law programs like experiential
• We also identify several current innovative programs buried inside of 124D and move all of these programs
• We also identify several current innovative programs buried inside of 124D and move all of these programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard presentation on House File 6, an education omnibus-style bill advanced by Representative Peggy Bennett and other Republican members. Bennett said the bill reflects caucus priorities around literacy, parental engagement, local control, and school flexibility. She described three articles: Article 1 on revisions to the READ Act and the science of reading; Article 2 on education innovation and parent-friendly school information; and Article 3 on funding flexibility and temporary relief from several new mandates enacted in recent biennia. On Article 3, Bennett said school boards would be allowed to transfer certain funds and delay implementation of specified mandates through the 2028-29 school year, including provisions tied to recent early childhood and education omnibus laws as well as paid family and medical leave and earned sick and safe time. She framed this as giving districts time to implement requirements carefully and with fidelity, and said such decisions would be made by local school boards in public meetings. She also argued the bill would reduce the burden of new mandates and preserve local decision-making. Representative Mueller then presented Article 1, saying it strengthens the state’s commitment to the science of reading, ends the Department of Education’s partnership with CAREI, repeals some 2024 requirements she said were ideological, and restores expectations for teacher preparation and assessment. Representative Bakeberg presented Article 2, which would require a more user-friendly school performance report, consolidate certain innovation-related programs into a new chapter, and replace the Department’s equity/diversity/inclusion center with an Office of Achievement and Innovation focused on academic achievement. He said the office’s guidance would be advisory only and that local districts would retain final authority. The chair then laid House File 6 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and further consideration at a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our early literacy support program is one-on-one or one-on-two brief reading tutoring sessions with a
• foundational literacy skills, like phonics.
• Early literacy intervention works.
• I would like to mention the Talking Book program.
• As we think about other programs that this bill references... ...As we think about other programs that

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Launch program, which is not only delivering literacy programming in the elementary schools, but has
• Athletic programs and art programs are really being hollowed out.
• Athletic programs and art programs are really being hollowed out.
• of programs.
• , early literacy, high-dosage tutoring programs, and school-to-career connecting activities.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• She says both reading corps and math core are excellent programs, and that focusing on literacy and math
• <00:03:07.200> and programs and focusing on literacy and programs and focusing on literacy
• Article 4, section 13, beginning on line 39.12, makes clear that literacy programs and interventions
• <01:02:30.640> programs 39.12 makes clear that literacy programs 39.12 makes clear that literacy
• hired literacy data specialist Dr. Dr. hired literacy data specialist Dr. Dr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think both Reading Corps and Math Corps are excellent programs, and focusing on literacy and math is
• Article 4, Section 13, beginning on line 39.12, makes clear that literacy programs and interventions
• Our former approach to literacy instruction, known as balanced literacy, did not train educators to collect
• The newly hired literacy data specialist, Dr.
• Coalition. the Literacy Coalition.