Transcript Highlights:

• So we provide export accelerator training and cohort-based programs.
• It's good to hear from academics, from government officials, from implementers of programs, but it's
• It's good to hear from academics, from government officials, from implementers of programs, but it's
• All of our programs are free. We work with our underserved communities.
• I am a program manager for a unit that issues water quality permits.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This act would establish a $100 million state funded program.
• While federal disaster assistance programs exist, many small businesses and nonprofits unfortunately
• It will prioritize state access to tax incentives, grants, loan programs. workforce training programs
• So in California, we're lucky to have truly academic centers of excellence in this field.
• I am very happy to present AB 949, the Retail Theft Grant Program today, which offers essentials.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We realize that outstanding staff, coupled with innovative academic programming, leads to student success
• Delivering innovative academic programming to students in an environment that celebrates history while
• programming with Innovative academic programming leads<00:46:08.760> to<00:46:09.000> Student
• <00:46:13.040> programming<00:46:13.599> to Innovative academic programming to Innovative
• academic programming to students<00:46:14.160> in<00:46:14.319> an<00:46:14.640> environment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: HR58, HR59, HR60, HR61, HR62, HR63, HR64, HCR32, HB43, HB447, HB573, HB1000, HB1001, HB1002, HB1003, HB1004, HB1005, HR46, HR48, HR50, HR51, HR52, HR53, HR54, HR55, HR56, HR57, HCR31, HB20, HB21, HB166, HB494, HB710, HB795, HB985, HB986, HB987, HB988, HB989, HB990, HB991, HB992, HB993, HB994, HB995, HB996, HB997, HB998, SB128, SB149, SB174, SB191, SB205, SB213, SB218, SB220, SB229, SB238, SB243, SB375, SB379, HB8, HB9, HB10, HB15, HB16, HB17, HB18, HB19, HB22, HB33, HB34, HB35, HB44, HB46, HB47, HB48, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB135, HB142, HB164, HB185, HB215, HB226, HB232, HB233, HB242, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB301, HB334, HB436, HB468, HB548, HB571, HB582, HB593, HB594, HB609, HB613, HB712, HB722, HB732, HB746, HB781, HB827, HB845, HB848, HB921, HB923, HB951, HB953, HB999, HB129, HB130, HB287, HB489, HB545, HB553, HB555, HB570, HB854, HB952, HB28, HB36, HB50, HB52, HB56, HB62, HB68, HB92, HB110, HB117, HB119, HB124, HB140, HB147, HB171, HB182, HB193, HB196, HB203, HB228, HB234, HB260, HB268, HB271, HB285, HB289, HB351, HB400, HB413, HB469, HB534, HB551, HB552, HB574, HB576, HB634, HB649, HB677, HB735, HB739, HB779, HB784, HB796, HB842, HB850, HB919, HB149, HB733, HB875, HB868, HB901

Keywords: waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA

Transcript Highlights:

• and meet Algebra 1 expectations, and expanding access to the flexibility to the gate program.
• I requested the invoices from the superintendent and chief academic officer’s P-card expenses, an issue
• Beyond academic achievements, she has also guided the district toward significant financial improvement
• Do you find nondisclosure agreements to be a useful tool to promote academic performance and financial
• They could ask who’s been to see the employee assistance program. Top or iPad that they give you.

Bills: S0824, S1170, S1620, S1738, S7036

Keywords: school district, real property, inventory, land use, education, video monitoring, safety, special education, parental rights, public education, school board rights, transparency, employment conditions, nondisclosure agreements, educational facilities, student safety, teacher accountability, physical plant, school design, construction standards

Summary: The Education Pre-K-12 Committee considered several K-12 bills and resolutions. SJR 1104, by Senator Massullo, would place on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment protecting voluntary religious expression in public schools; supporters said it simply codifies existing law and protects student and employee rights, while opponents warned it could entrench religious pressure and exclusion. The resolution was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1738, by Senator Yarborough, on educational facilities; an amendment removed crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusted transparency/safe-space provisions, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 824, by Senator Truenow, was amended into a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to DOE, and it was reported favorably. Appointments in tabs 7 and 8 were recommended for confirmation. The committee then took up SPB 7036, a comprehensive education package by Chair Simon. The bill would expand educational emergency triggers, adjust Title I withholding uses, align charter school rules with school improvement processes, update safety and early learning provisions, expand literacy and math interventions, and revise educator pipeline policies. Members raised concerns about a provision that could allow the state to develop instructional materials; Simon said that section was still being considered and would need guardrails. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. SB 1620, by Senator Leak, proposed a “school board members’ bill of rights” giving board members direct access to district documents and staff, limiting district attorneys’ dual representation, strengthening nepotism rules, and prohibiting nondisclosure agreements. Volusia County school board members and others testified both for and against the bill, with supporters citing transparency and accountability and opponents warning about confidentiality, staff pressure, and undermining the superintendent’s authority. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1170, by Senator Calatayud, as amended, would allow parents of students in self-contained ESE classrooms to request cameras, with district policies governing review, notice, timelines, and appeals. Parents, advocates, and educators testified strongly in support, while one witness opposed it as an unfunded mandate. The committee reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• try to use perhaps what can be considered some loopholes in the language to advance practices and programs
• So the federal government even has now issued an executive order to not fund any programs.
• And that's one of the loopholes that perhaps has been taken advantage of to allow it—any programs that
• These mandates restrict freedom of thought and erode academic freedom.
• Rather than supporting academic freedom, opportunity, and debate, they've led to divisive discriminatory

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Special Committee on Government heard and advanced three measures. First, HCR 2044, a constitutional amendment to expand Arizona’s prohibition on preferential treatment and discrimination based on race or ethnicity in public education, public spending, and hiring, drew support from the Speaker, Goldwater Institute, and other advocates who argued it would close loopholes and reaffirm merit-based treatment. Opponents argued it would chill speech, training, and discussion of race and identity in public institutions. The committee approved the resolution on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2671, as amended, which narrows mandatory transfer to adult court for juveniles by limiting chronic felony offender treatment to higher-level felonies and preserving judicial/prosecutorial discretion for lower-level repeat offenses. The sponsor and juvenile defense testimony said the bill would keep low-level youth offenders in juvenile court where rehabilitative services are available and reduce recidivism, while still holding them accountable. The Blackman amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 7-0. Finally, HB 2676 was heard to reduce the age for restoring firearm possession rights for certain juvenile offenders from 30 to 25 and to broaden restoration eligibility for other juvenile felony convictions. Supporters said it would align firearm-rights restoration with juvenile record-destruction timelines and help rehabilitated individuals move forward without unnecessary barriers. The committee approved HB 2676 unanimously, 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• very, very good data, not only from around the state, but from around the nation, that showed what programs
• However, for the rest of the state and the rest of the nation, these kinds of programs have been shown
• It can be social work, counseling, academic support, academic interventions for young people, and ongoing
• place to make sure that young people who are the most vulnerable are kept on track to succeed academically
• If you don’t have a GED, the courts will say, "Hey, if you're in a GED program..." ...program, we'll

Bills: HB2947, HB3276, HB3513

Keywords: truancy, school attendance, parent responsibility, education code, community service, criminal record nondisclosure, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide academic programs, both high school diploma and high school equivalency, as well as career
• for this program.
• I'm here today to talk to you about the Texas Academic Innovation Mentoring Program, known as Texas AIM
• Texas AIM is an academic intervention program that provides students with 30 hours of focused instruction
• program?

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under education, you added four different projects for CTE programs around the state where you're going
• c><00:07:04.400> um four different projects for CTE um four different projects for CTE um programs
• around the state where you're programs around the state where you're going<00:07:06.800> to<00
• at<00:09:05.920> KSC<00:09:07.360> um<00:09:07.519> to<00:09:07.920> academic
• Morrison and Ketty at KSC um to academic Morrison and Ketty at KSC um to academic building<00:09

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students wonder if they'll be able to continue pursuing the programs that they are in currently if there
• Our mid-sized district offers programs that our previous smaller district could not, and there are academic
• If our, if other school boards see how Keller was able to dump one side of the district with more academic
• It is a fact that larger districts consistently show declining academic performance, forced consolidation
• I just said that larger districts are typically, uh, are struggling academically.

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• California's non-public school program plays a critical role in ensuring some of our most vulnerable
• They provide a full special education program.
• Our first concern has... ...around the implementation of the grant program that's presented.
• I want to just clarify for the record that the grant program applies to all schools in the state.
• And so that's why this grant program is so... ...without us even realizing it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:03.560> and relationships assessing academic and relationships assessing academic and
• So the direct admissions program is an innovative college access program through the Office of Higher
• students the direct admission program students the direct admission program shifts<00:58:28.799>
• Because of all the benefits of this program, it's a wonderful, wonderful program.
• flexibility um in in in this program flexibility um in in in this program knowing<01:04:45.240><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and social emotional resources and programs.
• and social emotional resources and programs.
• If you see our beneficial programs.
• c> programs.
• <00:32:05.200> So emotional resources and programs. So emotional resources and programs.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard several announcements recognizing visiting groups and advocacy days, including the Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented Students, Colorado Mad Moms, and a hidden-figure tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson. Members also announced upcoming committee meetings and special orders, and the majority leader moved several bills to special order, which was adopted without objection. The chamber then sat as the Committee of the Whole and considered four bills. House Bill 1071, concerning local governments locating automated vehicle identification systems on interstate highways, was adopted after a technical amendment removing counties from the bill language; supporters framed it as a local-control and safety measure, while opponents argued it functioned as a revenue-generating camera program. House Bill 1034, a technical fix to irrigation equipment standards, was adopted after committee amendments requested by CDPHE to clarify the bill and avoid unintended regulatory consequences; supporters said it corrected unintended effects from prior legislation while preserving water-efficiency goals. House Bill 1070, dealing with third-party network lease agreements for dental services, was adopted after testimony emphasizing transparency, provider consent, and consumer choice; supporters said it would protect small dental practices and require explicit opt-in for network leasing. House Bill 1136, creating a pathways to public service program in the Department of Personnel and Administration, was also adopted after an education committee amendment clarifying data and reporting requirements; supporters described it as a skills-based hiring and workforce pipeline bill, while an opponent argued the program was already functioning and did not need to be codified. The Committee of the Whole report was then adopted 41-20, with the four bills advanced on second reading and ordered engrossed, and the House laid over the remainder of the calendar until the next day before recessing.

Transcript Highlights:

• with special needs to fulfill their PE requirement by actively participating in the Special Olympics program
• And we'd happen for about 10 at this point, giving him more broad access to Special Olympics programming
• work a whole lot—well, those young folks work a lot longer and a lot harder than some of our PE programs
• SB 794 requires that every employee of a residential facility or day training program for people with
• So that family preservation... ...developmentally, whether that's academically or behaviorally.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• program program Nationwide<01:01:18.240> I<01:01:18.400> first<01:01:18.599> want
• <01:02:01.160> is well-being the school meal program is well-being the school meal program
• &R program is used statewide.
• <03:21:24.199> is<03:21:24.359> used program yet the f&r program is used program
• and<03:56:31.439> as f&r lunch program uh meal program and as f&r lunch program uh

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It repeals advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities because Senate Bill
• c> repeals advanced practice doctoral repeals advanced practice doctoral degree<00:01:10.560> programs
• <00:01:11.040> at<00:01:11.280> comprehensive degree programs at comprehensive degree
• programs at comprehensive universities<00:01:12.640> because<00:01:12.960> Senate<00:01
• updated version of the Kentucky academic updated version of the Kentucky academic standards<00:18

Keywords: 0:00– Meeting start/roll call 0:39 – Approval of minutes 1:11 – Council on Postsecondary Education 3:06 - State Board of Elections 5:33 - Office of the Attorney General; Office of Regulatory Relief 7:02 - Board of Examiners of Psychology 16:38 - Energy and Environment Cabinet; Department for Environmental Protection 17:37 - Education and Labor Cabinet - Department of Education 19:14 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met for its January meeting, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and welcomed the new regulations compiler. The first item was a repealer from the Council on Postsecondary Education, 13 KAR 2:111, which was explained as necessary because Senate Bill 77 from the 2025 session removed the regulatory authority for advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities. No questions were raised, and the repealer moved forward without objection. The subcommittee then reviewed a large package of State Board of Elections regulations with staff-suggested amendments. The package would update definitions and election procedures, require e-poll books to be ready before polls open, change the standard and timeline for removing an election officer, add oversight by a State Board appointee on election days, recognize the Kentucky party, require voter registration records to be added to electronic voter records, require ballots to fit all races and questions on a single sheet, adjust precinct consolidation petition deadlines, and update incorporated forms and identification references. The package was approved without objection. The Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Regulatory Relief also presented multiple regulations with staff amendments, covering funeral planning declarations, cemetery companies, pre-need cemetery merchandise and funeral/burial contract sellers, and crematory contract sellers. These changes were described as adding specificity, streamlining forms and reporting, and bringing the regulations into compliance with KRS Chapter 13A; they were approved without objection. The Board of Examiners of Psychology presented several regulations, including compact rules, grace-period extensions, and significant fee increases for applications, renewals, reinstatements, exam retakes, and reciprocity. Board representatives said the increases were needed because many fees had not been raised since 2002, the board was operating at a deficit, and legal and administrative costs had risen sharply after the termination of state legal services. Members expressed concern about the size of the increases, but the chair said he would not hold the matter up and would raise the issue with the committee of jurisdiction. The subcommittee also approved staff amendments for the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s air quality regulations and the Education and Labor Cabinet’s education regulations, which updated nontraditional instruction procedures, waiver requests, instruction topics, superintendent assessment requirements, and academic standards. The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9 at 1 p.m., and the agenda was adjourned without further objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• state academics standards and curricula.<00:35:51.600> Having<00:35:51.840> considered
• <00:36:10.600> standards<00:36:11.040> in state's academic standards in state's academic
• <00:39:17.440> standards,<00:39:18.400> quote, statewide academic standards, quote,
• This bill sought to establish a safe battery recycling stewardship program.
• ,<01:37:28.200> new obligations, new programs, new obligations, new programs, new documentation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment adds academic medical centers to the consortium, and academic medical centers that also
• The whole program is geared to taking care of the children.
• The whole program is geared to taking care of the individual child.
• Every other managed care program is under AHCA.
• AHCA is handling the whole program now.

Summary: The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association. Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably. The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And every person at the ALRB, really in the General Counsel programming and in our regional offices,
• My love for education began when I had the opportunity to work in college in a summer program called
• He was in charge of the Upward Bound program at Cal State San Bernardino, needed a speaker who wasn't
• Upward Bound program at Cal State San Bernardino needed a speaker who wasn't a professional.
• You can tell who's been in a TK or high-quality preschool program. There's no question about it.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board and Christopher Ferguson, Brian Haynes, Anna Marie de Mars, and Ronald Fiore to the Student Aid and Student Athletic commissions. The committee also approved references of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. It then heard testimony from Julia Montgomery, nominated as General Counsel to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, who described her long career serving agricultural workers and said the ALRB’s mission is to protect workers’ rights, support fair bargaining, and ensure access to information and resources. Questions to Montgomery focused on card-check unionization procedures, signature authenticity, outreach to farmworkers, and enforcement of make-whole orders. Senator Grove raised concerns about workers being pressured or not knowing what they signed, while Montgomery said objections and unfair labor practice charges can be filed and investigated, though the office does not independently verify signatures unless there is an allegation. Senator Reyes pressed on delays in collecting make-whole awards, including the Tri-Fanucchi case; Montgomery said appeals, bankruptcies, and employer closures often delay relief, but the agency seeks settlements and enforcement when possible. The committee voted 3-2 to advance Montgomery’s appointment to the full Senate. The committee then considered three State Board of Education nominees: Cynthia Glover Woods, Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez. In their testimony, all three emphasized long careers in education, support for students and teachers, and the importance of early learning, community schools, professional development, and aligning instructional materials with standards. Members questioned them about math achievement, the 2023 mathematics framework and Algebra I access, the state’s low national rankings, transitional kindergarten access, and a proposed change to education governance. The nominees said they support flexibility for students ready for Algebra I, believe recent instructional materials and professional learning will help improve outcomes, and had not been involved in governance-structure discussions. Public witnesses from school and child-serving organizations spoke in strong support. The committee then advanced Glover Woods and Gonzalez on 3-1 votes and Lewis on a 4-1 vote for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that really is our responsibility as well as the responsibility of the various federal programs
• The TelPass program was so frustrating to her as 1/6 grade reading teacher because she was accountable
• Evidence includes loss in schools, including lives, teachers, student behavior, academic performance,
• And I know that, uh, that, or we all agree as well that that will support their academic success in the
• Poor academic performance and excessive absences, and it goes on.