Video & Transcript Research : 'egg grading'
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FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Nov 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So here I want to show you, these are our achievement of grades.
- And then the next one is the summary by grade level and classroom.
- You know, we have to have the 41% above our subgroups for our school grade.
- You know, we have to have the 41% above our subgroups for our school grade.
- Grade levels in elementary have their competitions built around it.
Summary:
The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures.
Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role.
The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: Gun Violence Apr 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- My story is that, um, I was in 2nd grade in a public school, a small rural school, and, uh, couldn't,
- It was in 2nd grade that I went to this in upstate New York.
- And Archer started coming here in 3rd grade and came again in 5th grade, and now he's here in 7th grade
- I'm currently in 7th grade. I've been coming to Austin since I was in 3rd grade.
- We have to help our children in Texas so that they can all learn to read on grade level appropriately
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So it shall read: have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 or
- So it shall read: have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 or
- So it shall read: have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 or
- So it shall read: have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 or
- Have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent.
Summary:
The Library and Technology Committee met on March 14, 2025, to hear House Bill 430, House Draft 2, which would create an internship/on-the-job training program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, with the state serving as the responsible employer for workers’ compensation coverage and appropriations included. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Department of Education. Supporters emphasized the value of internships as a high-impact educational and career pathway opportunity.
The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill’s intent but raised a concern about the criminal history background check language, recommending that the bill be revised so DLIR may conduct checks “as appropriate” rather than requiring a mandatory check for all interns. The AG noted that juvenile records would remain confidential for 16- and 17-year-old interns under existing law and suggested deleting the more specific background-check language or replacing it with the more flexible wording.
Several organizations submitted support, including business, health care, tourism, and industry groups. During decision-making, the committee discussed amendments incorporating the Attorney General’s recommendation, adding a 2.5 GPA minimum reference, and clarifying language about private or public sector organizations and placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs. The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Education (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- KYVA utilizes live synchronous instruction across all grade levels.
- KYVA utilizes live synchronous instruction across all grade levels.
- KYVA utilizes live synchronous instruction across all grade levels.
- I have a child at KYVA in the sixth grade.
- He makes great grades.
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and heard first from the Washway Nicotine Youth Advocacy Group, which urged stronger enforcement of Kentucky’s Tobacco 21 law. Youth advocates described the harms of flavored vaping products, argued that nicotine use is targeting children, and called for retailer licensing, annual compliance checks, harsher penalties for illegal sales, and more funding for enforcement. Committee members praised the presentation, and one senator said he had heard a bill on licensed retailers may be coming soon.
The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Cloverport Independent School District and the Kentucky Virtual Academy about the state’s virtual school model. Superintendent Keith Haynes and principals Brandy Fagan and Sally Johnson said KYVA serves about 2,800 students, many of whom are at-risk or have health, safety, behavioral, or family reasons for choosing virtual education. They emphasized that the program uses live synchronous instruction, provides devices and materials, and offers special education and related services. They also said the school had a large wait list and that virtual programs need more flexibility in staffing ratios, scheduling, and testing windows.
School leaders acknowledged criticism of KYVA’s proficiency scores and said many students entered far below grade level, with 59% not proficient in English language arts and 79% not proficient in math on recent state testing. They argued the program is too new to judge solely on one year of data and pointed to growth in MAP scores, as well as middle and high school rankings in the top half of Kentucky schools. Fagan and Johnson outlined improvement efforts, including daily interventions, small-group instruction, literacy programs, staff training, and expanded clubs and student activities. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/29/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- by 9th grade rather than eighth grade. by 9th grade rather than eighth grade.
- We look at assessment tests from third grade, 8th grade, 11th grade.
- We look at assessment tests from third grade, 8th grade, 11th grade.
- We look at assessment tests from third grade, 8th grade, 11th grade.
- We look at assessment tests from third grade, 8th grade, 11th grade.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Fund to provide a minimum of $1,800 per pupil in 2026-27 and ongoing for LEAs with TK through 6th grade
- This to further grades, specifically beyond grades six and above.
- This is a teacher teaching, I believe it was 8th grade social studies.
- This is a teacher teaching, I believe it was 8th grade social studies.
- through sixth grade.
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools, with the kitchen infrastructure grants, Tier 2 ELOP funding, and ongoing community schools funding as the main budget issues. For universal meals, the Department of Education and the Department of Finance supported continued investment in school meal infrastructure and explained that federal changes, inflation, and underreporting in meal counts could affect future funding. The LAO recommended rejecting a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure grants, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and that future funding should be tied to clearer goals and data. Several public commenters and school groups supported continued kitchen grants and universal meals, citing supply-chain delays, workforce needs, and benefits such as more freshly prepared meals and higher participation.
For ELOP, the administration proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and an additional $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended fully fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579 and tying future changes to program requirements, while CDE supported the proposal and said the program is improving attendance and academic outcomes. Senators and witnesses discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, with concerns raised about accountability, flexibility, and whether the program should better serve older youth. CDE said new CalPADS reporting and the biennial report will provide more data soon, and public testimony largely supported stabilizing Tier 2 funding while also asking for more support for middle and high school students.
For community schools, the Governor proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing sites, along with new accountability through annual self-certification and future accreditation. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger number of grantees. CDE strongly supported the ongoing funding and asked for additional support for county offices and technical assistance. Committee members questioned how accreditation would work for a model meant to be locally tailored, and administration staff said technical assistance would come first, with schools losing eligibility only if they failed to meet standards after support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive of community schools, with parents, students, county offices, and advocacy groups describing gains in attendance, graduation, mental health supports, family engagement, and student belonging, while some commenters urged clearer eligibility rules, stronger reporting, and continued support for related programs such as MTSS and homeless student services.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Getting ready in the 11th and 12th grade, I think, as an educator, I've seen it.
- Everybody's rushing in 11th and 12th grade. You've got to take the PSAT.
- I believe in grade 6, 7, or 8. You've got to be prepared for what your future looks like.
- So I made just enough grades to get through. But at the end of the day, we have that problem.
- Why aren't they making up by third grade?
Summary:
The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties.
The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation.
During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Sep 3rd, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- preparing for the third grade STAAR test.
- This bill takes it up to 90 minutes for 5th and 8th grade.
- We hear about our tests being beyond grade level; this bill requires that it is.
- So the end-of-year assessment is really the final grade.
- The grade that the school will be accountable for in their A through F letter grade.
Bills:
SB 1, HCR 20, HR 131, HR 133, HR 135, HR 136, HR 137, HR 144, HR 145, HR 146, HR 149, HR 150, HR 151, HR 152, HR 158, HR 161, HR 162, HR 163, HR 165, HR 166, HR 168, HR 169, HR 170, HR 175, HR 178, HR 127, HR 129, HR 130, HR 132, HR 134, HR 138, HR 139, HR 140, HR 141, HR 142, HR 143, HR 153, HR 154, HR 155, HR 156, HR 159, HR 160, HR 164, HR 167, HR 172, HR 173, HR 176, SB 1, HB 8, HB 15, HB 27, SB 5
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, memorial, remembrance, legacy, condolences, community, higher education, university merger, research, public health, economic impact, healthcare, insurance, affordability, medical coverage, state regulations
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-05-02 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- lower than a C in at least three of the previous five years that the school received a grade and has
- not earned a grade of B or higher in the most recent two school years.
- lower than a C in at least three of the previous five years that the school received a grade and has
- not earned a grade of B or higher in the most recent two school years there are currently 51 percent
- in the bill, will the School of Hope have two more years to have C or lower grades?
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage.
The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors.
After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur.
The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , which was recently expanded to include mandatory pedestrian safety training for all students in grades
- , which was recently expanded to include mandatory pedestrian safety training for all students in grades
- , which was recently expanded to include mandatory pedestrian safety training for all students in grades
- <00:13:47.079>
K training for all students in grades K training for all students in grades - <00:13:55.000>
4 safety for all students in grades 4 safety for all students in grades 4 through
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Apr 1st, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a report as relating to our third grade students and their reading.
- This is a report as relating to our third grade students and their reading.
- And then, uh, according to this factoid, uh, now 70 I'm going to pick a 77% or so are reading at grade
- And then, uh, according to this factoid, uh, now 70 I'm going to pick a 77% or so are reading at grade
- And then, uh, according to this factoid, uh, now 70 I'm going to pick a 77% or so are reading at grade
Bills:
HB517, HB98, HB235, HB236, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242, HB565, HB517, HB98, HB235, HB236, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242, HB565, SB380
Keywords:
underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And so the early childhood special education, with learning targeting the third-grade level and holding
- kids back that aren't on grade level, and we've got this fund out here, the early childhood special
- And so the early childhood special education with learns targeting the third grade level and holding
- They're able to purchase these resources, work with the parents, and get them on grade level.
- And like I said, I just, with us putting such an emphasis on holding kids back at a third-grade level
Summary:
The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the report found that Arkansas moms want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing most mothers want full-time work, 69% identified child care costs as a barrier, and many said flexible hours were the most important workplace support. She also described county-level dashboard data, the high cost of infant and toddler care, and examples from working mothers about spending most or all of their paychecks on child care. Members asked questions about labor force participation trends, the meaning of the child care cost figures, and how flexibility could be implemented across industries. The presenter and members also discussed the broader economic-development impact of child care shortages and the need for public-private partnerships.
The Department of Education then gave an update on early childhood programs. Officials said they are building internal dashboards to improve transparency and data access for school readiness assistance, including enrollment, application, and provider participation monitoring. They reported that the state is still moving forward with the CLASS transition and expects to release transition funding to providers in the coming weeks using Preschool Development Grant funds. They also clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work and that the data is FOIA-able. Officials warned providers about a temporary payment delay during the transition to a new system, saying payments will stop June 30 and resume around July 14, with any owed funds processed then.
Members raised additional concerns about early childhood special education funding, overpayment recovery from a child care center, audit requirements for Head Start and SRA funds, the market rate survey, and the status of local leads after a recompete. Department staff said they would follow up on special education funding levels and audit rules, noted that the overpayment case is under appeal, and said the market rate survey is still in procurement. They also reported that 23 local leads will cover all counties starting July 1, with no major job-description changes, and described a new PDG Partners stakeholder group and an upcoming June 23 QRIS webinar to gather provider and parent input. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides for medical school students' grading. This is Senate Bill 234 by Senator Presley.
- It provides for medical school students' grading. Senator Presley on your bill.
- This is a bill regarding grading for medical students within our medical schools in Louisiana.
- and 10th-grade IGPs, signing annual reviews, and meeting with parents before any revisions.
- So instead of happening around the 10th grade, this moves that back to around the eighth grade.
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several higher education and K-12 bills. SB 234 by Sen. Presley, which would provide grading for medical school students, was briefly discussed and reported favorably without objection. SB 142 by Sen. Reese, dealing with continued management and oversight of Board of Regents support fund matched endowments if a related constitutional amendment passes, drew questions about endowment matching, oversight, and the roughly $75 million in unmatched requests; it was also reported favorably without objection. SB 482 by Sen. Reese, expanding the role of career coaches in middle and high school graduation planning and reporting on career development fund spending, received support from BESE and others, with committee members discussing counselor workload and district flexibility; it was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then took up SB 64 by Sen. Hodges, which would require two people to review initial video/audio recordings from cameras in self-contained classrooms when complaints arise, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 1063 by Rep. Owen, a broad higher education governance bill that would increase board oversight of curriculum, hiring, faculty senates, and discipline, generated extensive discussion and testimony from Rep. Owen and a representative of Parents Defending Education Action, but the author said he did not want to vote on it yet and moved to voluntarily defer it; the committee agreed without objection.
HB 818 by Rep. Riser, as amended, was converted into a reporting bill requiring public inventories and state reporting on assessments, with Cynthia Posey of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers explaining the amendments; the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with one opposition card noted. Finally, SB 28 by Sen. McMath, carried by Rep. Carver, would lower the age for associate teachers from 25 to 21 to help address the teacher shortage; Department of Education staff said the change could expand the pipeline, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also announced it would meet the following week on Wednesday, May 6, and then adjourned.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- And I know one of the questions with these maximums and in the pay grades: the Lieutenant Governor does
- meet with Miss Barnhill and her team at OPM, and we did get approval on every position and the pay grade
- And it's based off the grades and the number of positions that we have there.
- It depends on what grades are moving over there. So it might not be all the one-to-one thing.
- I'd have to go look at each grade that's going over there.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/12/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- unexcused, if you have a a graded unexcused, if you have a a graded assignment<00:31:51.039>
- I was deeply through 8th grade.
- it seems to apply to any grade level. it seems to apply to any grade level.
- <01:40:21.199>
12 children kindergarten through grade 12 children kindergarten through grade - > something and third grade together or something and third grade together or something like<01:40
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Governor's education policy bill discussed 3/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 1.18, this amends the statutory definition of kindergarten to make it clear that kindergarten is a grade
- <00:04:53.120>
and clear that kindergarten is a grade and clear that kindergarten is a grade - Grade-level appropriateness is determined and established in the grade-level benchmarks, as you heard
- Grade-level appropriateness is determined and established in the grade-level benchmarks, as you heard
- K through 3, as they are currently able to do for students in grades 4 through 12.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- expectations in math and many who fall behind in early grades never catch up.
- My son, Arthur, who is in fifth grade, is a very precocious kid. We call him 2E now.
- below or sixth grade and below, that we could...
- If especially maybe in younger ages, maybe eighth grade and below or sixth grade and below, that we could
- Fewer than half of Texas students meet grade-level standards in math and reading by third grade.
Bills:
HB2
Keywords:
disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management
Summary:
The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language.
Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version.
The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- clear purpose for children in grades clear purpose for children in grades K-3.
- Because of those services and those educators, he was reading at grade level by second grade.
- grade level by<01:23:24.560>
second <01:23:24.920>grade. - by second grade. by second grade.
- So fourth grade students in level.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- 100% of our female production is in that area. 88% of our swine production is in that area, 72% of our egg
- So industrial customers such as this would pay for the cost of infrastructure. grades okay if you had
- The only thing missing from tonight's hearing was a second grade class.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- something that some folks have been talking about for quite a while and putting some real leg... ...eggs
- A first-grade teacher may not like kids blowing snot on them, and if they can learn that they're...
- That may be above even our pay grade, you know, but our Horned Frog will have some ideas as the private