Transcript Highlights:

• , the Albion normal school, and advanced opportunities.
• These are real examples of kids in our school system today.
• It doesn't recognize where they attend school.
• It doesn't recognize where they attend school.
• We don't turn any child away from our schools. We don't turn any child away from our schools.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans Memorial Early College High School, Hanna High School, Southwest High.
• Hendrickson's High School, Lone Star Elementary, Pitchcock High School.
• Brazosport High School, Nimitz High School, Lubbock Cooper High School.
• Grape Creek Middle School, Wiley High School, Rivera Early College High School, Friendship High School
• , and Eula High School.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, you get to write them off in public schools.
• While often focused on private school choice, these funds can be used to support public school programs
• for students attending public schools.
• ... ...public schools, my friends.
• He was a great public school teacher all his life.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Sarah Coles. Members also introduced a number of guests in the gallery, including representatives from the Arizona LEND Program, Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses, and other visitors. The House then received communications from the Governor and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider Calendar One. In Committee of the Whole, members debated SB 1280, a bill concerning Mexican gray wolves and the use of public funds to transport them. An amendment offered by Representative Gutierrez, nicknamed the “Cruella DeVille Act,” was adopted after extended discussion about wolf conservation, ecosystem impacts, and whether the bill would interfere with wildlife recovery efforts. The underlying bill then received a due pass recommendation. The committee also recommended due pass for SB 1418 and SB 1785, and the House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report, placing SB 1280, SB 1418, and SB 1785 on third reading while retaining SB 1200 on the calendar. The House then considered Calendar Two. SB 1053, dealing with concealed carry permit fees, drew debate over whether the fee reduction was revenue-neutral and whether the bill should instead focus on training requirements; it received a due pass recommendation. SB 1259 also received due pass without debate. SB 1372, relating to health care provider recruitment and anesthesia access, was amended and then recommended do pass. SB 1475, which would bar students convicted of certain serious offenses from participating in interscholastic activities, prompted strong debate over student discipline versus second chances, and it too received a due pass recommendation. SB 1478 received a technical floor amendment changing its effective date and was then recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the committee report, sending SB 1053, SB 1259, and SB 1475 to third reading and properly engrossing SB 1372 and SB 1478. On third reading, the House passed SB 1078, SB 1107, SB 1123, and SB 1142. SB 1142, a federal education tax credit bill, generated the most debate, with opponents arguing it would divert resources from public schools and primarily benefit wealthier families, while supporters said it would not affect state revenues and would allow Arizona families to benefit from an existing federal credit. The final vote on SB 1142 was 33 ayes to 26 nays, and the House then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• boards, and charter schools.
• We're also directed in law to audit the financial statements for the 67 school districts.
• No, it's school districts and counties. That's what I mean.
• So for the state of Florida, school boards, colleges, universities, and charter schools, these audits
• It's always something new that comes back as we start a school year after Christmas.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, Clover Park School District.
• But having school districts, public school districts, available for military kids is super important.
• And it has an impact on the school district.
• Clover Park is a unique school district.
• As you know, I'm a former school board director, wanting to know if the Clover Park School Board is in

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several capital-related bills. HB 2353 would raise the pre-design threshold for state-funded capital projects from $10 million to $15 million and index it to inflation beginning in 2027. The sponsor and a testifier said the change would reduce delays and save money on projects by avoiding costly pre-design work for mid-sized projects; staff noted the bill could reduce future capital budget costs. HB 2420 would increase the Small Works roster contract cap in stages from $350,000 to $650,000 by 2030, with a proposed substitute shifting the first increase from July 2026 to January 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. Testimony from universities, cities, ports, counties, and water/sewer districts supported the bill as a way to reduce administrative burden, speed projects, and help small and diverse contractors. The committee also heard HB 2470, which would change how the School Construction Assistance Program treats school facilities on military bases. Staff explained the bill would exclude on-base instructional space from a district’s available-space calculation and adjust state assistance to account for federal funding, potentially increasing eligibility for affected districts such as Clover Park and Medical Lake. The sponsor and supporters said current rules unfairly reduce state support for districts serving military families; OSPI testified in support but said the bill would need amendment to avoid federal-law issues and was working on a revised approach that would increase the SCAP funding assistance percentage instead of directly referencing federal funds. Clover Park School District and the Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported the measure. In executive session, the committee moved HB 2338, which expands the low-income weatherization program to include community-scaled projects, out of committee with a do-pass recommendation by a vote of 17 ayes and 2 excused. The committee then held a work session with the Recreation and Conservation Office on its competitive grant programs, including Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program accounts, youth athletic facilities, community forests, aquatic lands, boating, off-road vehicle, firearms and archery, and federal grant programs. Members asked about demand, ADA compliance, geographic distribution, and technical assistance; RCO said demand is high in several programs and that it uses scoring criteria, regional allocations, and outreach to improve access statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• School, Willow Canyon High School, Queen Creek Charter School, Basha High School, Mesquite High School
• , Coronado High School, Rincon University High School...
• Mesquite High School, Coronado High School, Rincon University High School, Boulder Creek High School,
• Whereas, Maryvale High School, located in the heart of Phoenix, is...
• Members, this is yet another unfunded mandate for public schools.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I looked at my school district, my school district reported zero bullying incidents a couple
• Does this legislation apply to not only public schools but private schools as well?
• schools.
• districts and charter schools.
• private school.

Summary: The House convened with 65 members present, approved the journal, and received Senate Bill 1221, which was referred to the Commerce and Human Resources Committee. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including House Bills 502, 512, 494, 531, and 542, while House Bill 570 was re-referred to Judiciary, Rules and Administration. The House also introduced a number of new bills and resolutions, including measures on justifiable homicide, copyright/piracy repeals, court-rule review, LLC formation, short-term rentals, unauthorized workers, inspection requirements, the FAST Act, rangeland improvement, virtual education, income tax changes, the parental choice tax credit, indigent eligibility, patient immigration status, and a constitutional amendment on state-owned land. House Concurrent Resolution 26 supporting wildlife crossings was filed for printing. On the floor, House Concurrent Resolution 24 honoring the firefighters and engineer affected by the Coeur d'Alene brush fire incident passed 68-0, and House Bill 515 on school notification procedures for serious bullying incidents passed 68-0 after debate over whether it should also apply to private schools. House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on fire protection charges in the wildland-urban interface, passed 46-22. House Joint Memorial 9, urging Congress to reaffirm FLPMA for federal land exchanges, passed 69-0. House Bill 518, authorizing the Attorney General to take on human trafficking investigations and prosecutions when requested by local law enforcement, passed 68-0 with support from members who said it would strengthen anti-trafficking efforts. The House then returned House Bill 522 to committee due to a clerical error after the sponsor described it as a drone-restriction bill aimed at prison security. House Joint Memorial 10, supporting the use of natural sugar in school meal programs and aligning with the MAHA movement, passed by voice vote. House Bill 504, aimed at stopping lottery syndicates from bulk-buying tickets, passed 62-6. Announcements followed on legislative receptions, an ICAC presentation, Disability Advocacy Day, a Medicaid listening session, and committee meetings, and the House adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• school zones, meaning they had folks that were legally allowed to be ...operating in safe school zones
• or Greenwood Mennonite School.
• Aramerton says it fills a void that exists in the current situation with private schools and public schools
• Like every parent, I want to know that when I drop my children off at school, their school has the ability
• by Delaware's gun-free school zone law.

Bills: HB372, HB414

Keywords: HB372, Justice of the Peace Court, Delaware courts, Title 10, court administration, judicial staffing, county courts, Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County, Wilmington, 24-hour hearings, court locations, court hours, magistrate court, access to justice, court consolidation, Delaware General Assembly, destructive weapon, possessing a destructive weapon

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, courts, and family law. House Bill 141, with House Amendment 1, would require the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a firearm responsibilities notice for firearm purchasers through licensed dealers, covering Delaware gun laws, safe storage, lost/stolen reporting, straw purchases, suicide prevention, and other safety responsibilities. Testimony from the NRA, Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association, Moms Demand Action, the Coalition for Safer Delaware, and Delaware State Police was uniformly supportive, emphasizing education, standardized dealer practices, and potential evidence for straw-purchase prosecutions. No committee questions were raised, and the bill was moved forward after public comment. House Bill 326 would create a new offense for theft by impersonating a family member, aimed at scams involving spoofed calls, texts, or online messages that pressure victims to send money. The sponsor described the bill as a response to increasingly sophisticated fraud enabled by artificial intelligence, and noted that a House amendment removed an original mandatory minimum jail term, leaving sentencing to the courts. No public testimony was offered on the bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150 would prohibit civil arrests inside courthouses and certain Department of Labor proceedings, with the sponsor arguing that such arrests deter people from coming to court or seeking protection; the bill would allow criminal arrests and civil arrests only with advance written notice. No testimony was taken on that measure. Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Responders Act, would create a narrowly tailored offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of first responders at emergency scenes after crossing a barrier or ignoring warnings, if done to interfere, threaten, or harass. Supporters, including police, fire service, and sportsmen’s groups, said it would protect responders and preserve emergency operations, while the Office of Defense Services opposed it on First Amendment and overbreadth grounds, arguing existing laws already cover much of the conduct. Senate Bill 304 would amend Delaware’s safe school zone law to allow private schools to use trained, vetted sentries or similar security arrangements; supporters said it would give smaller private schools an affordable safety option, while the sponsor said the bill needed more work and should not move forward yet. The committee also heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, which would clarify how courts handle evidence that a sexual assault complainant previously made a false allegation; DOJ and ODS said the substitute reflects a consensus approach, and YWCA Delaware supported it as a survivor-protective reform. Finally, Senate Bill 343 would expand methods for serving child support respondents in Family Court by authorizing service through certified mail and carriers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, addressing cases where people avoid in-person service using doorbell cameras and other technology. The Division of Child Support Services supported the bill as a practical update that would improve timeliness while preserving proof-of-delivery safeguards. At the end of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded, and the chair adjourned the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if these people go through school, okay, they've gone through the school, and then they're not graduate
• And so we feel like that's being taken care of. school, okay, they've gone through the school, and then
• And so we rely on partnerships with school districts.
• NNU has a long-standing relationship with a local elementary school, and we all do with lots of schools
• Development in their schools.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee approved the minutes from February 18, 2026, and then heard Senate Bill 1335 from Senator Tammy Nichols. The bill would require students receiving state-appropriated support for veterinary education to return to Idaho for four years and spend 600 hours per year, or about 30% of their time, treating agricultural animals. Supporters said the measure is meant to address Idaho’s shortage of large-animal veterinarians and ensure a return on existing taxpayer-funded veterinary seats, with testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Veterinary Medical Association, Idaho Cattle Association, and Idaho Wool Growers. The IVMA said it was neutral, citing concerns about the bill’s detailed requirements, pay differences, and whether enough jobs would be available, while some senators questioned whether the bill was more of a mandate than an incentive and whether the requirement should apply to current or future students. Committee members also discussed technical questions about the bill’s timing, the mixed-animal training requirement, and whether service could occur outside Idaho. Senator Nichols and testifiers said the intent was to apply the bill beginning with the 2027-28 academic year and to ensure students receive training in mixed-practice agricultural veterinary medicine. After closing remarks from the sponsor, Senator Burtenshaw moved to send SB 1335 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, Senator Carlson seconded, and the motion passed despite Senator Zito stating she would vote no because she opposed using state money in this way. The committee then received a presentation from Dr. Sally Brown of the College of Idaho on behalf of the Idaho Higher Education Literacy Partnership. She described the group’s work to strengthen teacher preparation in the science of reading, revise literacy standards, develop competency guides and assessments, and support literacy partnerships across Idaho’s higher education institutions. Whitney Ward of Northwest Nazarene University and Carolyn Court of Boise State University highlighted school-district partnerships, literacy summits, and clinical placements for teacher candidates, emphasizing that principals and district leaders also need literacy training to improve systems and support classroom instruction. Committee members asked about why administrators need this training, and presenters said principals play a key role in coaching, walkthroughs, and supporting schoolwide literacy systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if these people go through school, okay, they've gone through the school, and then they're not graduated
• And so we feel like that's being taken care of. school, okay, they've gone through the school, and then
• And so we rely on partnerships with school districts.
• NNU has a long-standing relationship with a local elementary school, and we all do with lots of schools
• Development in their schools.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> superintendent of the Pasquani School superintendent of the Pasquani School District,<00:06:06.479
• </c> Hebrin, and Graten to form a new school Hebrin, and Graten to form a new school district,<00:06:
• district to Piscani school district.
• </c> truly represent the Pasquani school truly represent the Pasquani school district<00:06:51.360><c
• district to Piscani regional school district to Piscani school<00:07:29.199><c> district.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a Title I school, as you can get to be a Title I school.
• Then I became the principal of Nampa High School. At Nampa High School, I wore two hats.
• One was that I was the principal of the high school.
• So within that area, I had the high school, Nampa High; I had two middle schools under my authority;
• But those are the things that I care about with school.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard gubernatorial appointment testimony from Pete Kohler for the State Board of Education and Jennifer White for Executive Director of the Office of the State Board of Education. Kohler described a long career in the military and Idaho education, including work as a teacher, principal, superintendent, State Department of Education chief of staff, and service on several state committees and commissions. In response to questions, he emphasized early reading mastery, stronger math and financial literacy, expanded career and technical education, more flexible high school pathways, and a focus on helping students become capable thinkers and resilient adults. He also discussed a major financial crisis he managed as Nampa superintendent, saying he stabilized the district without layoffs and worked openly with staff, unions, and the public. Committee members expressed support, but the appointment vote was deferred to the next meeting. White introduced her family and outlined her background in Idaho, law, and higher education, including work in state government, private practice, Boise State University, and government relations. Senators praised her professionalism and performance under questioning in prior budget hearings, and no concerns were raised. As with Kohler, the committee said the confirmation vote would be taken the following day. The committee also considered RS 32954C1, introduced by Senator Cook, which would direct the state to develop guidelines for artificial intelligence in education. Cook said the proposal was meant to help students learn about AI while adding guardrails, similar to how schools adapted to calculators, computers, and the internet. The committee moved RS 32954 to print, and the motion passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• really... ...more schools specifically, and charter schools are really the best place.
• We only have 10 public schools who really have individual schools that address autism specifically.
• and high school.
• That it can save us millions of dollars once they reach middle school and high school.
• high school.

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and passed two autism-related bills. SB 112, by Senator Harrell, would expand autism screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services from age three to age four, designate the University of Florida autism center as a statewide hub, create grants for autism-focused charter schools and summer programs, and establish an autism microcredential for educators and paraprofessionals. Three technical or clarifying amendments were adopted, and the bill received support from Autism Speaks, The Arc of Florida, Foundation for Florida’s Future, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who emphasized early intervention and the need for training and expanded services. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. The committee then considered SB 102, by Senator Gaetz, which would direct the Department of Education to create a workforce credential for students with autism spectrum disorder, including badges for job skills and workplace safety, and require reporting on outcomes such as employment after graduation. An amendment was adopted to allow students on a modified curriculum before formal diagnosis to participate and to require coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Testimony from Amy Weatherby of the FSU Autism Institute and CARD strongly supported the bill, stressing the importance of employment outcomes and early preparation, while other organizations also supported it. SB 102 was reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after Senator Harrell was recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 112.

Transcript Highlights:

• work or continue our education in college and graduate school.
• Um, Annie loves school. She loves her teacher.
• As far as school goes, we were lucky, or we are lucky.
• Um, they're seen as valuable parts of that school community.
• This requires funding to be injected into our school districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• DPI does not track school meal debt at the individual school level.
• do in schools.
• And I'm sure this happens at other schools, other elementary schools as well.
• kids in school, but there certainly are hungry kids going to school.
• other schools?

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1571, school district budgets, two years. Government.
• SB 1571, school district budgets, two years. Government.
• Non-certified school employees due process, Education.
• SB 1595, public schools teachers' lunch breaks.
• SB 1594, schools corporal punishment prohibition.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone, my name is Ayan Molodina, and I'm a 10th-grade high school student here in Austin.
• The passage of the school vouchers bill in Texas is not just a political decision.
• We're here to say that public schools are still worth fighting for.
• The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 high school students identifies as LGBT.
• Several years ago, when my school district banned books, I decided to speak to my school board.

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy day at the Texas Capitol with more than 300 young Texans and allies to press lawmakers on education policy. Speakers framed the event around student visibility in policymaking and criticized recent Texas actions on school vouchers, book bans, and legislation affecting LGBTQ students and classroom content. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended and voiced support for students having a seat at the table, citing a prior effort to add a student to a school board as an example of the kind of participation SEAT is seeking. Several student speakers described how voucher expansion threatens public schools and argued that public education is being underfunded and undermined rather than failing on its own. Others focused on LGBTQ inclusion, saying bills such as SB 12 and SB 13 would erase queer students’ experiences and make schools less safe and welcoming. One speaker also condemned book bans and censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and honest, inclusive education to think critically and feel represented. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the group’s earlier organizing against book bans and internet restrictions and by connecting that work to broader demands for public schools, student rights, and safety. The event did not include any legislative vote or formal committee action; it was an advocacy press conference aimed at influencing lawmakers during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> From uh Carroll County, Liberty High School.
• High School. >> Very good. Margaret Bile, St. Mary's County, Leonardtown High School.
• . >> From uh Carroll County, Liberty High School.
• High School. >> Very good. Margaret Bile, St. Mary's County, Leonardtown High School.
• Northwestern High School. Welcome. Northwestern High School. Welcome.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:36:42.640><c> high</c><00:36:42.800><c> school</c> high school algebra and high school high school
• So it's not limited to high school. It's not limited to middle school.
• </c><01:35:56.639><c> to</c><01:35:56.719><c> do</c> school and middle school having to do school and
• </c><01:41:03.600><c> for</c><01:41:03.760><c> the</c> the school for the blind school for the the school
• </c> ATC schools or Okay. ATC schools or Okay.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:13 Approval of Minutes - 4:07 Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing - 5:18 Math Improvement Committee Report - 21:02 ETS Praxis Exam - 41:47 KDE Performance Review Data - 1:15:04 Adjournment - 1:57:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could be to go to a high school.
• It could be to go to a high school.
• c> District</c> City School District by School District City School District by School District so<03
• I went to school in the ConVal school district, and while we had a great, well-funded school with a lot
• school and your school can look at your school and your school and<03:58:32.159><c> your</c><03:58:32.399

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.