Transcript Highlights:

• I am grateful that my degree program is an approved LPI, but UCLA has over 15 programs that unfortunately
• Thank you so much, Summer. Summer of Tanya Pah. Thank you.
• Thank you so much, Summer. Summer of Tanya Pah. Thank you.
• It's a four-year evening program.
• Thank you so much, Summer Jackson. Thank you so much. Summer Jackson. Thank you very much.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on student access, workforce needs, and institutional stability. Senator Laird presented SJR 4, which urges the federal government to restore NIH funding cuts and protect California’s research universities; UC testified in support and there was no opposition. Senator Ashby presented SB 761, the CalFresh for Students Act, to connect Cal Grant applicants with potential CalFresh eligibility and expand qualifying programs; the bill drew broad support from higher education, student, anti-hunger, and county groups, with members sharing personal experiences with food insecurity and no opposition. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 520 to create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund for a new master’s-level nurse midwifery program, citing maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and Central Valley communities. Supporters from the California Nurse Midwives Association and the Black Wellness and Prosperity Center emphasized workforce shortages and maternal mortality; one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of inclusive language, but the bill was otherwise well received. Cabaldon also presented SB 640, which would create a statewide direct admissions process to CSU for eligible high school seniors using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers, improve equity, and help declining-enrollment campuses, while members raised questions about special education students, rural access, dual enrollment, and measuring effectiveness. The committee voted SB 640 out on a 6-0 roll call. Cabaldon’s SB 744 would preserve California students’ access to enrollment and financial aid if a federally recognized accrediting agency loses approval, by treating affected institutions as accredited for state purposes; the bill drew no public testimony and advanced on a 4-2 roll call. Senator Cortese’s SB 494 would require classified school employees’ disciplinary appeals to be heard by an administrative law judge, matching protections already available to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported the bill, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. The committee also heard SB 550, a revised pilot to allow San Jose State and a nonprofit, state-accredited law school to jointly develop a public law school pathway; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest careers, while UC and independent colleges opposed it as inconsistent with the Master Plan. Members debated access, jurisdiction, funding, and bar pass rates, and the bill advanced on a 4-2 roll call to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we’ll talk to the patrons, and maybe at the next meeting later in the summer, we can dive deep into
• Is that one where we could actually bring it back as a discussion item at a future meeting this summer
• The Virginia Code, if you remember, we presented on this last summer, has very little reference to the
• The Virginia Code, if you remember, we presented on this last summer, has very little reference to the
• So having a robust consultation program... ...would be great.

Keywords: Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, 976, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review its electronic meetings policy, which was adopted without objection, and then discussed the outcome of the most recent General Assembly session for bills affecting federally recognized Virginia tribes. Opening remarks emphasized that the commission’s work continues under its new name and extended sunset date, but that several major proposals stalled or were continued, including consultation requirements, sovereignty/definitions updates, in-state tuition, conservation easements, emergency management coordination, and DMAS consultation. Members repeatedly stressed the need for better education, clearer fiscal explanations, and more direct engagement with the administration, Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and the Attorney General before the next session. The commission then reviewed each bill and set priorities. The sovereignty/definitions bill and the consultation bill were treated as top priorities, with members rejecting any effort to remove government-to-government language and suggesting a letter or meeting with the Attorney General to clarify that the bill simply codifies existing federal law. The conservation easements bill was also supported as a likely priority, with plans to consult the conservation community, the Indigenous Conservation Council, and the administration. The in-state tuition bill was viewed as important but not a top priority, with concerns about disputed fiscal estimates and the need for stronger coalition-building. The emergency management bill was placed in a lower-priority tier because the relationship already exists in practice and the main issue was agency capacity. The DMAS bill drew more mixed views because it was introduced late and had unresolved external issues, but public testimony urged the commission to continue it, noting that more tribes are developing health programs and that early consultation would help avoid future conflicts. The public also supported extending the commission beyond one year and suggested future work on State Corporation Commission entity categories for tribal governments and businesses. Additional topics discussed for future consideration included the Indian Child Welfare Act, a possible sales tax exemption for tribal governments, and a proposal to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which was requested as a tier-two priority. The meeting ended with plans to schedule additional meetings over the summer or fall and to invite outside presenters and agency representatives for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• program is different.
• program is different.
• seen a lot of different programs, this program is different.
• We met throughout the summer to design the program, bringing forth the content experts from our faculty
• Thomas Residency Program and other similar programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota and the country have struggled with high path even influenza, and this bill establishes a program
• I'm here today in strong support of House File 1503, which establishes a grant program to assist producers
• <00:08:06.280> expanded I'd like to see this uh program expanded I'd like to see this uh program
• Those would be ones with depopulation programs.
• I realize that most of those programs are composted, but obviously something got through the system.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a multi-year program done yet.
• :00.000> overall The water sustainability program overall The water sustainability program overall
• Minnesota's technical assistance program Minnesota's technical assistance program or<01:08:50.560
• program has identified this program has identified opportunities<01:09:03.679> to<01:09:04.000
• summer of 2025. summer of 2025.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , the HIP program.
• It wouldn't fully fund the program, but it would help.
• Would the money fully fund the HIP program?
• We have the Commonwealth Builder program. It's an amazing program.
• And we have our own state rental assistance program, the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on a series of bills focused largely on local-option real estate transfer fees and housing funding tools for communities facing severe affordability pressures. Testimony strongly favored bills for Somerville, Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, and a statewide local-option transfer fee, with speakers arguing that high-end real estate transactions should help fund affordable housing, anti-displacement efforts, workforce housing, and related capital improvements. Elected officials and local housing leaders described rising rents and home prices, investor activity, shrinking year-round housing stock, and difficulty recruiting or retaining teachers, police, health care workers, and other essential employees. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals would be optional for municipalities, could include exemptions for first-time homebuyers or seniors, and would direct revenue into local affordable housing trust funds or housing banks. Committee members asked questions about who would pay the fee and whether it could make housing less affordable, and supporters responded that the fees would be targeted at higher-value transactions and designed with local flexibility. For Somerville, the delegation and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne backed both a local home rule petition and statewide enabling legislation, saying the city has already used zoning reform, inclusionary zoning, and local housing funds but still needs a new revenue source to address displacement and investor-driven purchases. For Concord, Representative Carmine Gentile and Concord housing advocates supported a home rule petition and the statewide bill, arguing that a modest fee on sales above $1 million could generate predictable revenue for affordable housing production and preservation. One committee exchange focused on whether the fee would affect most Concord sales and whether it would be passed on to buyers; supporters said the policy was intended to shift costs toward higher-value properties and help leverage other funding sources. The committee also heard testimony on House 4105, which would redirect a casino-related revenue stream to the Healthy Incentives Program. Farmers, advocates, and residents said the current funding was originally intended to support horse racing but has not met that goal, and that the money would be better used to support Massachusetts farmers and food-insecure residents through HIP. In a separate bill, Senator Becca Rausch testified in support of Senate 268, which would create a state-level hostile learning environment complaint process for higher education institutions and potentially strip tax exemptions from colleges or universities found to have such environments; she cited anti-Semitic and transphobic incidents on campuses and argued that existing federal protections should be mirrored in state law. The hearing also included testimony on college tuition debt reduction legislation from Senator Michael Moore, who said the bill would allow a deduction for tuition and fees paid to Massachusetts public colleges and universities to ease student debt and support the state’s workforce. A major portion of the hearing focused on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket housing bank proposals. Hospital, school, housing, planning, and municipal officials from Martha’s Vineyard said the island’s year-round housing shortage is harming health care, schools, and the local workforce, and urged approval of a housing bank funded by a local-option transfer fee. Nantucket witnesses made similar arguments, pointing to a very high median home price, a large seasonal housing stock, and the need for a dedicated revenue stream to preserve and create year-round housing. Supporters repeatedly cited the long-running success of the islands’ land banks as evidence that transfer fees can work without harming real estate markets. Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley Luddy also backed the Cape and Islands transfer-fee bills, saying the region needs bold action and a sustainable local funding source to address its housing crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have step down programs.
• . program.
• Medicaid program.
• things about summer EBT as you all know this is a brand new program I think sometimes can you hear I
• Because ultimately, summer EBT is about feeding. Kids in the summer?

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding kind of the, you know, the programs overall.
• As you'll recall, there were four programs in Senate Bill 2627.
• Three of those, the Insider Account Loan and Completion Bonus Programs, as well as the Outsider Account
• America's available generation supply could fall short of peak demand by as early as as the summer of
• This is a snapshot called 4CP of just four summer peak days to allocate cost to utilities across the

Bills: SB 6, SB6, SB504, SB765, SB815, SB929

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to reduce parks and recreation programs and increase fees.
• It's a diversionary program to keep people from going to the ER.
• It's a diversionary program to keep people from going to ER.
• So we've been working with our state agencies this summer as well.
• This summer was an interesting summer. Great summer. Got to marry off my fourth son.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 13, the Senate maintains the Senate position for the summer academic enrichment program.
• Um, on program.
• academic enrichment program. academic enrichment program.
• On line 61, program.
• , the hunger-free campus program, the student parent support program, and the dual training program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This program has helped facilitate cultural enhancement programs that teach the children of our community
• and conservation education programs.
• Fund, which is a federal grant program.
• It's a great program.
• We still have the Kids in Parks program.

Transcript Highlights:

• education program.
• Does anybody have a program like that? Mr.
• And I do want to reaffirm with this program.
• Summer 2026, July 8 through 10.
• Before she joined us as an intern in the summer of '23, and we hired her from that internship program

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• We started last summer.
• We started last summer.
• So you're revising the program, but extending an existing program that expires at the end of 2025.
• The revised program is going to cost approximately the same as the existing program does in its last
• successful program in Florida.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several tax and economic development bills. SB 935 would exempt counties from the motor fuels tax on fuel used exclusively in county vehicles; Sen. Hall and Cass County Judge Travis Ransom argued it would save counties money without changing fund allocations, and the bill was left pending while the committee waited for the House version. SB 2206 would extend and revise Texas’s research and development incentives by tying the franchise tax credit more closely to federal law and changing the program’s effective date; supporters from business, manufacturing, and tax policy groups said it would protect innovation jobs and help startups, while the Comptroller’s office explained the fiscal note and said the committee substitute was no longer needed. The committee later withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending before ultimately voting it out favorably. The committee also heard SB 2020, which would repeal the “rehab tax” on nonresidential remodeling. Sen. Campbell said a large fiscal note led him to delay a full presentation, but builders, architects, and contractors testified that the tax raises remodeling costs, complicates audits, and discourages reuse and reinvestment in existing buildings. The bill was left pending. SB 2018 would create a two-year “strong families” tax credit for businesses donating to nonprofits that provide family support services; supporters from Family First, Buckner International, and Texas Baptist said it would strengthen families, father engagement, and upstream prevention, while the author said the Comptroller and HHSC were still working on administration details. That bill was also left pending. After a quorum was established, the committee heard and later reported several bills favorably. SB 1030 would exempt certain aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul parts from sales tax for general aviation; industry, airport, and local economic development witnesses said it would keep high-wage aviation work in Texas and improve competitiveness with neighboring states, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 214 would create a temporary sales tax holiday for qualifying residential HVAC systems; it was laid out and left pending. SB 1901 would make administrative and ethics changes to the Opioid Abatement Fund Council, including staggered terms, conflict rules, and fund reallocation procedures; it was reported favorably. SB 266 would repeal the Texas Research Incentive Program and use the appropriation to address the existing backlog of unmatched donations; the chair and Sen. Paxton said the state should honor past commitments, and the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• A potential adopter came into the MSPCA last summer.
• Her kid, A potential adopter came into the MSPCA last summer.
• I also just want to share a quick little story this summer.
• Finally, I spoke with the Alberta Rats Control Program. Thank you very much.
• I'm also a volunteer with Mass Audubon's Rescue Raptors Program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an education program.
• <00:17:29.160> be that it's requesting that a program be that it's requesting that a program
• <00:17:51.800> of programs within the Department of programs within the Department of Education
• What I meant to say is we have programs What I meant to say is we have programs where<00:17:54.600
• The the student was not past summer.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three tandem resolution packages. HCR 13 and HR 15 sought collaboration among the Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, and DLNR to develop a student coral stewardship program. DOE said it was willing to work with DLNR, and DLNR supported the measure but said it did not want to be the lead agency for reporting or curriculum development because of existing reporting burdens and because it was already active in school outreach. Testimony in support was received, and the committee later amended the measure to restore DLNR as the lead for the report while keeping DOE and the Charter School Commission as collaborators. The committee then voted to pass HCR 13 HD1 and HR 15 HD1 with amendments. HCR 91 and HR 83 proposed a long-term collaborative program between DLNR and DOE to expand and sustain tree canopy coverage at public schools statewide. DLNR strongly supported the measure, DOE offered comments, and the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute testified in support, citing research on heat reduction, student health, and academic impacts of shade trees. Additional supportive testimony came from the Kaululu Nani Urban and Community Forestry Program Advisory Council and others. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 and HR 83 unamended. HCR 183 and HR 183 addressed guidance and protections related to immigration enforcement in schools. DOE said it supported the resolution but noted it already had guidance in place; the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute, Roots for Warren Maui, ACLU, 50501 Hawaii, General Strike Hawaii, and others testified in support, emphasizing student safety, attendance, and the effects of enforcement-related fear. A committee member asked about a reported Konawaena Elementary incident, and DOE clarified that the student was not deported and the event occurred off campus, with some newspaper details said to be inaccurate. After discussion, the committee deferred HCR 183 for further work with DOE and the Board of Education on definitions, enforcement, and guidance.

Transcript Highlights:

• I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD SUMMER.
• TODAY IS NOT THE DAY TO GO OVER EVERYTHING WE DID OVER THE SUMMER BUT I DO WANT TO SAY I WENT TO TEN
• PRISONS OVER THE SUMMER.
• I PROVIDE CYCLE THERAPY TO THE POPULATION AND STARTED THREE PROGRAMS TO HELP COPS IN FLORIDA.
• SO I CAN'T TAKE A COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE YOUTH AND PUT THEM IN A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM.

Transcript Highlights:

• grants program grants program that<00:10:00.839> is<00:10:01.000> completely<00:10
• funding and only includes the 5 program funding and only includes the 5 and<00:10:08.200> a<00
• Scientific and natural areas programs do develop those priorities and do consult with the local units
• <00:25:40.840> do scientific and natural areas programs do scientific and natural areas programs
• put uh pretty much their entire summer put uh pretty much their entire summer over<00:43:16.559>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do recommend that Alabama focus on improving online literacy programs as states like Florida and Virginia
• . well, but Virginia and Florida have incorporated into their school curriculum digital literacy programs
• I'm just fearful that training programs in themselves may not be sufficient to address the needs of the
• The only reason social media wasn't involved in that bill is that it initially was two summers ago or
• three summers... ...two summers ago or three summers ago—actually three summers ago when I first drafted

Bills: HB235, HB276, HB285

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, minor safety, child online safety, teen accounts, parental controls

Transcript Highlights:

• Created this program is Doctor Lowe.
• Super excited about our partnership with Doctor Lowe and his Live program.
• Number four is to evaluate our curriculum and program.
• Most of the classes we offer through our virtual program are math-based.
• This live program includes six courses, each a semester long.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's been a fairly limited program.
• , different programs.
• That ranks in the recent history of our statewide assessment program.
• looking and investigating how those programs look as well.
• It would be released this summer.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K through 12 Education received a Department of Education presentation from Deputy Commissioner Juan Copa on Florida’s K-12 assessment system, including FAST progress monitoring, end-of-course exams, science, writing, alternate assessments, English language acquisition testing, and VPK progress monitoring. Copa reported year-over-year gains in ELA and mathematics, noted that end-of-course and science results also improved, and explained how assessment data are used for school grades, third-grade promotion, graduation requirements, and other accountability measures. He also reviewed the independent study required by SB 1048, which recommended keeping PM3 as the primary accountability measure, proceeding cautiously on further test-length reductions and remote testing expansion, and using PM1/PM2 only as supplemental evidence in limited cases. Committee members focused on whether the new system is improving student outcomes enough, what supports teachers and schools need to use the data effectively, and how Florida compares nationally. Chancellor Dr. Burns said the department is emphasizing implementation of the new standards, high-quality instructional materials, coaching, professional learning, collaboration, and school improvement support, and also pointed to resiliency education standards and mental health supports. Copa said Florida’s latest NAEP results remain mixed but still generally outperform the nation in some grades, while members pressed for more information on best practices, other states’ approaches, and how districts are using the data. Several members requested follow-up information, including the independent review report, breakdowns of PM1/PM2/PM3 results by grade and subgroup, details on VPK outcomes by provider type and full-day versus half-day programs, and data on use of the CLT versus SAT/ACT for graduation concordant scores. The committee also discussed third-grade retention outcomes, computer-based testing, district assessment calendars, and whether some districts still administer additional local testing. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.