Video & Transcript Research : 'grading system'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Republicans Announce Education Plan for Safe and Smart Kids - 03/17/26
Transcript Highlights:
- upgrades, electronic access controls, ballistic resistant glass and wall panels, mass notification systems
- ,<00:00:58.120>
and panels, mass notification systems, and panels, mass notification systems - <00:04:12.760>
It strengthens early grade classrooms. - It strengthens early grade classrooms.
- prepared for the next grade. prepared for the next grade.
Summary:
Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press event focused on school safety, student performance, and relief from what they described as burdensome mandates on districts. Sen. Zach Duckworth promoted the SHIELD Act, which would provide grant funding through the Minnesota School Safety Center for security upgrades such as access controls, ballistic-resistant materials, mass notification systems, and staff training. He also highlighted other education bills, including measures to require parental and teacher notification of violent incidents within 24 hours, allow short removals after serious incidents in K-3 classrooms, expand retention and intervention policies for students not meeting grade level, and increase parental access to curriculum materials and consent for sex education. Duckworth said the school safety proposal has bipartisan support and argued schools should have flexible, locally driven tools to protect students.
Sen. Julia Coleman and other Republicans framed the agenda as a response to classroom violence, learning loss, and a lack of transparency. Coleman said teachers and parents are seeing serious problems firsthand and argued that schools should not hide violent incidents. She described Senate File 676 as a notification and anti-retaliation bill, and said Senate File 4023 would give schools a brief reset after serious incidents in early grades. She also backed the transparency bill requiring parental review of curriculum and written consent for sex education. The group repeatedly argued that schools, parents, and teachers should be prioritized over what they called political secrecy or overreach.
Sen. Jason Rarick focused on school finance, saying new state mandates have left districts in deficit despite prior funding increases. He discussed bills to expand safe school aid to nonpublic schools, increase staffing at the Minnesota School Safety Center, expand counselor funding for nonpublic students to K-6, and conform state law to federal tax credits that could support scholarships and tutoring. Sen. Carla Nelson Housley argued that more than 60 unfunded mandates have strained districts and said Senate File 3361 would temporarily let districts transfer funds between accounts and opt out of certain new mandates from 2023-24, with public board discussion and votes. In the question period, Republicans also discussed the governor’s supplemental budget, fraud enforcement, possible bonding for IT upgrades, and potential tax and child care credit changes, while emphasizing they want bipartisan cooperation on fraud and school safety but oppose new taxes and what they called harmful mandates.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on H.F. 4252 - Omnibus Higher Education finance and policy - 05/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- childhood longitudinal data system childhood longitudinal data system and<00:15:43.560>
there - <00:25:41.920>
to <00:25:42.040>focus <00:25:42.440>on system to focus on system - She said that students need basic grade-level reading, writing, math, and science in order to be able
- level in K-12, 55% not meeting math grade achievements, and 60% not doing science at grade level, we
- math grade 55% not meeting the math grade achievements,<00:28:22.240>
and <00:28:22.520>60%
Summary:
The committee discussed a higher education attainment-goals bill and several related amendments. Members first reached agreement on funding changes: one amendment redirected money for fraud-prevention software for MnSCU and $5,000 for trees in Bemidji, and another moved $570,000 for workforce development-related funding. Members noted the use of general fund dollars to cover a FIG shortfall and expressed support for addressing fraud prevention while also saying MnSCU should be made whole in the next biennium. Both amendments were adopted.
The main policy debate centered on an amendment updating the statewide attainment goal and related P-20 partnership language. Senator Um Ruebain proposed returning the attainment goal from 75 percent to 70 percent, and members discussed whether the bill’s expanded reporting and coordination duties would create costs for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Nonpartisan staff and Commissioner Olsen said the Office of Higher Education and the P-20 partnership expected no costs, while DCYF’s fiscal note assumed reporting and staffing costs. After discussion, DCYF indicated it would absorb the costs, but some members still objected to expanding the partnership and creating additional bureaucracy.
Members also debated whether early childhood and K-12 subgoals should be included as part of the attainment-goals framework. Supporters said aligning early childhood, K-12, and higher education goals is necessary to improve postsecondary attainment, while opponents argued the committee should focus on existing higher education goals and basic K-12 achievement. The committee ultimately adopted the Senate language on the attainment-goals section as amended, including the change back to 70 percent and revisions directed by staff to ensure the correct references were updated. The A12 amendment on pregnant and parenting students was also adopted earlier in the meeting.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Two state-owned regional systems, two non-state-owned regional systems.
- A system with a lot of pipe would use closer to 80 to 100 years to depreciate, as opposed to a system
- by systems and ...been done by systems in the region in general, in particular by systems in North Dakota
- And systems can get a maximum of 100 points out of that entire ranking system.
- water out of the system.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- eighth grade, and they might not make a public school team.
- My girls are in fourth, seventh, and ninth grade.
- Sorry. down that already behind system. Sorry, I feel like I threw a lot.
- I am in the seventh grade and finish... My name is Rebecca Lee.
- Well, I think we can do that in 30 days within our existing system.
Summary:
The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment.
The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection.
The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Commission on Civic Education May 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Grades 4 and 5 cover world history.
- Grades 6 through 8 examine American history from 1776 through the election... ...Grades 6 through 8 examine
- Content management system that PBS has called PBS Learning Media.
- They're geared towards that sixth grade level.
- That sixth grade level.
Summary:
The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education met with a quorum, approved the minutes from its prior meeting, and unanimously approved the 2026–27 membership slate for the Legislative Youth Advisory Council after hearing that more than 300 students applied. The commission also approved LIAC’s budget and mileage reimbursement guidelines, which were updated to reflect the IRS rate increase. Members thanked the Legislature for continuing to fund LIAC after earlier years of sponsor-based support.
The meeting featured several civic education presentations tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Brandon Burris of the Lieutenant Governor’s office described state parks, museums, library backpack programs, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, and Homework Louisiana as civic and educational resources. Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute discussed national trends in civics education, teacher discomfort with controversial topics, and the institute’s teacher training, student camps, debate programs, and civics app. Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Katie Stark and Nancy Torren presented America 250-related materials, including a PBS Kids feature on a Louisiana child and a PBS Learning Media series on Bernardo de Gálvez and Spanish Louisiana, along with teacher training events.
LIAC members John Parker and Brandon Routon reported on their work over the year, including school safety efforts, digital service-hour tracking, AP self-study access, minor work permits, AI-generated harassment of minors, and school advisory councils. The Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education reported on Law Day and Constitution Day programming reaching thousands of students, its summer institute, student and teacher awards, and a proclamation marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Barry Irwin also reported that legislation to clean up the commission’s membership and quorum provisions had passed the House and been heard in Senate Education. The commission adjourned after thanking staff for managing the meeting during severe weather.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Legislative Leader Media Availability 6/6/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You guys have a grade for yourselves for this session? Oh, no.
- No, that's not—do you have a grade for us? Yeah. You turn in your work late? Yes.
- this have a grade for yourselves for this session?
- You turn in have a grade for us? Yeah.
- So prior to the E12 system for example.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance and Education Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Hands-on support to transform systems and outcomes.
- Across the system. Thank you. Thank you all for your presentations.
- and intervention support systems.
- Evidence that when systems align, outcomes improve.
- We need to think about 12th grade differently.
Summary:
The joint informational and oversight hearing focused on community schools in California, with members emphasizing that the purpose was to examine effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability rather than the Governor’s budget proposal. The California Department of Education described the California Community Schools Partnership Program, created in 2021 and funded with more than $4 billion, including planning, implementation, extension, and county coordination grants. Officials said nearly 2,500 schools are participating and highlighted the statewide technical assistance structure, including the State Transformational Assistance Center, eight regional centers, county offices, and CDE support.
Researchers from the Learning Policy Institute and UCLA presented early findings and implementation data. LPI reported reductions in chronic absenteeism and suspensions, along with gains in math and English language arts, with especially large benefits for Black students and other historically underserved groups. UCLA described the Annual Progress Report as a statewide improvement tool showing growth in capacity-building, shared decision-making, whole-child supports, and continuous improvement. Members asked about how the reports measure outcomes, how to interpret outliers, and how to distinguish community schools effects from other concurrent initiatives; presenters said matched comparison methods and deeper case-study work are being used, with additional statewide findings expected in June.
Panelists from Oakland Unified, LAUSD/UTLA, San Diego Unified, and advocacy organizations described key elements of success: integrated student supports, strong family and student engagement, collaborative leadership, community partnerships, and school-site decision-making. They gave examples such as wellness centers, dual enrollment, student senates, parent leadership, and community campaigns that built trust and increased participation. Members also raised concerns about sustainability, implementation fidelity, and whether community schools improve participation in LCAP processes. Presenters said major barriers include unclear early guidance, the need for a mindset shift away from top-down models, and uncertainty about long-term funding for coordinators and other staff. The panel’s recommendations centered on stable ongoing funding, stronger technical assistance, shared governance, and embedding community schools practices into district and county systems.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Sep 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- students and 1.25 for 7th through 12th grade students.
- To a single factor of 1.30 for 6th through 12th grade, that change resulted in a 7% increase in funding
- And yet we built our system for the 35%. And out of that 35%, half of them went to college.
- So we really built our system for 17% of our students. It's time to change the system.
- And that's the biggest dropout from the 6th through the 9th grade to engage them, right?
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Mehmet Oz, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Mar 25th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They're gaming the system.
- I think the motive is to discredit the system.
- We do not need to rewrite every system within Social Security.
- I'm not sure I'd give him a very good grade, but you're a Doge guy.
- What kind of grade would you give him for the first couple months?
Keywords:
Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations
Summary:
The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Jun 9th, 2025
Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- The second one would be the systems-based programs.
- This is when a district is in need of a new roof or HVAC system, the different systems within the facility
- Next slide is your list of the systems-based programs, uh, systems-based awards that the council awarded
- It included one standards-based project and 9 systems, and that there is your list for that. Mr.
- There are 87,000 square foot facilities serving pre-K through 5th grade.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations & Revenue. (6-3-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- 10th grade.
- 10th grade.
- 10th grade.
- That expansion to sixth grade.
- That expansion to sixth grade. That expansion to sixth grade.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I assume to the previous issue, you probably want to have some sort of system, backup system, with
- My son is in the sixth grade and is moving over to seventh grade.
- I'm an active member in the elementary school system.
- , Unified School Systems in California.
- We want to build the system of certification.
Summary:
The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time.
The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later.
Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tran Committee Meeting - 2026-04-08
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- update with MnDOT and some of the local communities and partners that provide to help build our road systems
- Grade separation is the only viable long-term safety solution.
- There are grade-separated intersections on Trunk Highway 65.
- I absolutely feel we need to make investments in our transportation system across the state.
- I absolutely feel we need to make investments in our transportation system across the state.
Bills:
HF4807
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House bill would fund secure lock boxes at MN schools for emergency law enforcement access 4/29/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But they both advocate for deploying these lock box systems. It's a best practice.
- You got to visit with the kids from kindergarten through sixth grade.
- <00:03:19.160>
It's <00:03:19.320>a <00:03:19.360>best these lock box systems - It's a best these lock box systems. It's a best practice. practice. practice.
- kindergarten through sixth grade. kindergarten through sixth grade.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Health Subcommittee Feb 9th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
A&B Health Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- On page two, line 9, it says we're doing kindergarten, first grade, second grade, or I'm sorry, kindergarten
- , first grade, and third grade within 30 days of school starting.
- concerned that 30 days and some of your larger school districts that may have a lot of kids in those grades
- we may look at outside vendors and training there, but obviously, implementing anything within the system
Keywords:
dental insurance, claims, medical necessity, appeal procedures, dentist reimbursement, education, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, family caregiver, tax credit, activities of daily living, elderly care, Oklahoma tax law, HB3066, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, workforce recruitment, health care workforce
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Mar 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- were no public comments on this rule, and there is a small fiscal impact for this year related to systems
- Small fiscal impact for this year related to systems, and then next year, 12,507 is our estimate.
- Guys, if you would, help me give a warm welcome to the Monticello sixth grade class.
- I had to question her really hard about her ID because she did not look like she was in the sixth grade
- He's not rated G, so I don't think we can let him go with the sixth grade class. Okay.
Summary:
The meeting opened with approval of the prior minutes and then took up two Department of Human Services rules. Mary Franklin of DHS’s Division of County Operations presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule that removes the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarifies child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women, and updates good-cause language to say “rape or incest” rather than “forcible rape.” Members asked about how child support referrals and sanctions work during pregnancy and the postpartum period; Franklin explained that sanctions would not be imposed until after the 60-day postpartum period and that good-cause determinations can prevent sanctions in appropriate cases. The rule had no public comments and a small fiscal impact, and it was reviewed without objection.
Elizabeth Pittman of DHS’s Division of Medical Services then presented a medication-assisted treatment rule. She explained that the change simply removes an expired federal end date from the state plan and updates the CMS template, while leaving existing coverage for counseling and lab services tied to substance use disorder treatment unchanged. In response to questions, she said the rule does not add new benefits or costs because the coverage was already required by federal and state law. The committee reviewed the rule without objection.
The meeting also included an informational presentation from Jenna Goldman of UAMS about a culinary medicine experience for legislators, scheduled for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. She described it as a food-is-medicine program where participants would learn about healthy cooking and how to apply it in communities with limited food options. Members discussed its connection to rural health and potential grant opportunities. The meeting ended with a brief visit from a Monticello sixth-grade class, who asked Capitol trivia questions before the committee adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Mar 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- were no public comments on this rule, and there is a small fiscal impact for this year related to systems
- Small fiscal impact for this year related to systems, and then next year, 12,507 is our estimate.
- Guys, if you would, help me give a warm welcome to the Monticello sixth grade class.
- I had to question her really hard about her ID because she did not look like she was in the sixth grade
- He's not rated G, so I don't think we can let him go with the sixth grade class. Okay.
Summary:
The committee met briefly to approve prior minutes and then reviewed two Department of Human Services rules. The first, from the Division of County Operations, would remove the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarify child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women and postpartum sanctions, and change the good-cause language from “forcible rape” to “rape or incest.” DHS said there were no public comments and only a small fiscal impact for system changes. The second rule, from the Division of Medical Services, updates the Medicaid state plan for medication-assisted treatment by removing an expired federal end date and adopting a new CMS template; officials said coverage does not change and there is no financial impact. Both rules were reviewed without objection.
Members also heard an informational presentation from UAMS about a culinary medicine experience planned for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. The program is intended to show how food can be used as medicine and to connect with the state’s rural health transformation priorities and possible grant opportunities. Members were encouraged to attend, wear comfortable shoes, and participate in the kitchen-based activity.
The meeting ended with special recognition of a Monticello sixth-grade class visiting the Capitol for a scavenger hunt. A student asked several questions about the Capitol building’s materials and architecture, and members responded informally before the committee adjourned with no further business.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Information Technology Oversight Committee (11-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Our work supports districts of all sizes in the Commonwealth, from large urban systems to small rural
- Our work supports districts of all sizes in the Commonwealth, from large urban systems to small rural
- Our work supports districts of all sizes in the Commonwealth, from large urban systems to small rural
- <00:20:27.520>
So water resource information system. - So water resource information system.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Michael McCurley, president of Zo Education and a senior vice president with Zo Group, about the company’s role in providing broadband and managed network services to Kentucky schools. He said Zo Education serves all Kentucky K-12 public school districts in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, offering more bandwidth at lower cost than the prior provider and also providing cybersecurity and network protection. He emphasized that reliable connectivity is essential for instruction, testing, remote coursework, and school administration.
McCurley also addressed the ongoing contract dispute involving the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Open Fiber Silicom, saying Zo Education is not a party to the litigation but is concerned about possible disruption to schools and students. In response to committee questions, he said the company incurred unexpected costs when it had to reroute connections and build alternate network paths, including one school move that cost more than $50,000 to serve a site generating under $2,000 per month. He said outages and incidents are more frequent when Kentucky Wired access is unavailable, and that Zo could not have bid at its current price without access to Kentucky Wired.
Committee members discussed the broader implications of the dispute and the state’s broadband structure. Senator Williams said the committee’s priority is avoiding disruption to students and noted concerns about infrastructure purchases and upgrades tied to the network, saying he had not seen clear contractual support for some of the expenditures. He also referenced a future audit and said the committee should preserve options and taxpayer funds. The committee then reviewed its report to LRC, including changes related to infrastructure purchases and water asset management technology, and agreed to submit the report without a committee vote. The chair announced the next meeting would be in January, with no December meeting scheduled, and the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- AN EXTRA CLASS SUPPLEMENT OR TEACHERS WHO MAY 87 They have to be the class, the grade
- They have to have time to spend with their grade room, so they use their planning time to do that, and
- And I appreciate that we are looking at the schools earning the grade D or F as the main focus of this
- AND I APPRECIATE THAT WE ARE LOOKING 159 AT THE SCHOOLS EARNING THE GRADE D OR F AS THE 
- at no cost and submit any in-service points earned by the educator to the system to the Department on
Summary:
The Pre-K-12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 157, School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program, would create a Department of Education program allowing school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools as mentors, with a proposed $3,000 stipend per mentor per mentee. Members questioned the funding source and contract-time implications; the sponsor said the program would use previously decategorized education funds and that mentoring could be done within existing planning, before-school, after-school, or weekend time. An amendment clarifying that the bill would use a contract template rather than a DOE contract was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee then heard CS/HB 859, Exceptional Students and Video Cameras in Public Schools, which would require school boards to adopt policies for video cameras in self-contained ESE classrooms upon a parent request, with redaction of other students from footage. Public testimony strongly supported the bill, including emotional accounts from a parent of a nonverbal adult with autism who described past abuse in a classroom and from the Autism Society of Florida, which argued cameras are a necessary safety measure for vulnerable students and noted other states already allow or require them. Members emphasized student safety and the need to fund the policy, and the bill was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee considered HB 561, Educator Certification, which aims to reduce barriers for experienced educators returning to the classroom by expanding temporary certificate eligibility to those with expired Florida certificates, allowing prior subject-area exam results to count for reinstatement, and updating references related to educator professional learning support. The sponsor said the bill preserves standards while making reinstatement more efficient and less costly. There was broad support from members, who noted the value of retaining experienced teachers, and HB 561 was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, there is a prioritization of students in our Florida Virtual School system.
- It's a... ...prioritization of students in our Florida Virtual School system.
- No, this bill has nothing to do with school grades. It's not in the bill.
- This bill has nothing to do with school grades. It's not in the bill.
- In this instance, we're talking about children in the K-12 system.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered a series of education-related bills, many of them after adopting amendments. SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School was amended to remove virtual preschool provisions and then passed favorably, with the sponsor describing it as a clarifying bill about FLVS operations, revenue sources, reporting, and student access. SB 1374, on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, was also approved; it requires faster district action and reporting when instructional personnel are arrested for certain offenses and clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt. SB 1402, on student enrollment and dropout retrieval programs, was amended and passed to broaden eligibility for dropout retrieval services and allow certain virtual providers to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade. SB 364, moving the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Education to Florida Memorial University, was amended and reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 772 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow districts to obtain and store glucagon for emergency use by trained school staff or nurses, with liability protections included. SB 1102 on school readiness programs for children with disabilities passed after testimony that it would expand identification of disabilities, require more training for providers, and direct special-needs funding toward better-supported classrooms. SB 1382, also on school readiness, was approved and would change the definition of economically disadvantaged families, adjust priority tiers, and update the waitlist and forecasting process for child care assistance.
The most debated measure was SB 140, which was substantially rewritten by delete-all amendment to create “job engine charter schools,” allow municipalities to seek charter schools aimed at attracting industry, authorize parent votes for conversion of existing public schools, and set requirements for district five-year property plans and surplus property use, including affordable housing and charter school purposes. Supporters argued it could aid economic development and repurpose underused property, while opponents raised concerns about privatization, reduced stakeholder input, unclear voting procedures, and loss of district control over property. Despite extensive debate and multiple public speakers against it, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 430, a merged AED and cardiac emergency response bill requiring public schools to have a cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and an operational AED in a publicized location, with reimbursement provisions and liability protections; it passed after supporters emphasized life-saving benefits and manageable training costs. The committee adjourned after recording additional members’ votes on selected bills.