Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation of the chair is to pass with Amendment, which requires structured literacy instruction
• A structured literacy approach shall provide multiple opportunities for students to practice a skill
• Number two, clarifying the definition of structured literacy instruction to mean an evidence-based approach
• systematic instruction a structured systematic instruction a structured literacy<01:45:42.080>
• <01:46:01.880> literacy definition of structured literacy definition of structured literacy

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Committee on Education and Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard Senate Bill 422, which would authorize the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified people whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The Department of Education testified in support, noting a prior law that created the Kono diploma program before it sunset in 2020. Several members of the public also testified in support. Both committees later recommended passage of SB 422 without amendments, and the recommendation was adopted by voice votes. The committees then heard Senate Bill 530 on Braille literacy. The bill would establish Braille literacy as state policy, require Braille-related literacy assessments for eligible blind and low-vision students, authorize DOE rulemaking, create a Braille Literacy Resource Center, and appropriate funds. DOE and the Department of Human Services supported the measure, as did the National Federation of the Blind, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and a blind testifier who described the importance of early Braille instruction. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about statutory language requiring yearly assessments and suggested revisions so annual decisions remain with IEP teams. The committees voted to pass SB 530 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested changes, and adopted the recommendation. The next measure was Senate Bill 532, which would allow school staff and agents trained by a licensed clinician to volunteer to administer medication to students in public schools under certain conditions and clarify who may prescribe such medication. DOE and Department of Health testimony supported the bill. The Attorney General recommended replacing the term “licensed clinician” with the defined term “health care professional.” The Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants supported the bill but asked that physician assistants be included among providers who may prescribe medications for school administration. After questions about current school health aide duties and field-trip medication procedures, the committees voted to pass SB 532 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s terminology change, and adopted the recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Douglas Knapp, first grade teacher in West Sacramento and literacy coach who participated in the literacy
• students who demonstrate climate literacy through both coursework and hands-on learning.
• Employers are increasingly seeking workers with climate literacy and workforce-ready green skills.
• In that role, I worked directly with districts, teachers, and students to expand climate literacy.
• On behalf of Ten Strands and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative, support.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a long slate of education bills, beginning with SB 685 on nonpublic schools for students with disabilities. Senator Cortese and the California Department of Education described the bill as a response to the Ninth Circuit’s Laughman decision, removing the obsolete “non-sectarian” requirement while preserving secular use of public funds, nondiscrimination protections, background checks, credentialing, and incident reporting. There was no opposition, and the bill later passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1181, a pilot grant program for violence prevention, student wellness, and school safety in Central Valley and other schools. Supporters framed it as a prevention measure, while opponents from EFF, ACLU Cal Action, and community advocates warned it could increase law enforcement involvement, surveillance, and use of fusion centers; despite those concerns, it ultimately passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1067, which would create a statewide framework for annual K-2 math assessments starting in 2028-29 to identify students needing early intervention. The author and supporters argued California faces a serious math achievement crisis and that early assessment would help close gaps, while CTA and several educators and administrators sought additional clarity and amendments to ensure alignment with existing diagnostic practices and limits on high-stakes use. The bill drew broad support from educators, parents, and advocacy groups and passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1107, a school shade-structure bill, would expand eligible shade projects and allow bundling through design-build to reduce costs; it received support from LAUSD, school boards, and climate-focused groups and passed 7-0. SB 1128, on take-home devices and screen time for kindergarteners, was presented as a modest first step to give families more flexibility and reduce early screen exposure, with support from early childhood advocates and no opposition, and it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1048, creating a voluntary State Seal of Climate Literacy for students who complete climate coursework and hands-on projects. Supporters, including Ten Strands, students, teachers, and county offices, said it would recognize real-world climate learning and green career readiness; it passed 7-0. SB 1140, sponsored by CFT, would require LEA construction contractors to follow campus security provisions during school projects to reduce unauthorized access; it drew support from labor and gun violence prevention groups and passed 7-0. SB 930, requiring end-to-end encryption for proctoring companies handling K-12 exam data, was presented as a student privacy measure in response to cybersecurity risks and passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1083 was introduced by Senator Perez as a follow-up to last year’s Safe Learning Environments Act, with extensive committee amendments to refine the statewide misconduct data system, disclosure rules, contractor fingerprinting, and access requirements; the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full hearing and vote are shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or, what you're wanting us to look at, moving away from an hourly structure and just a day structure,
• Literacy and professional development, etc., but it's not reflected in the budget.
• literacy or lack thereof in our older students?
• We're having a lot of conversation about retention, about literacy, all of these things.
• Invest literacy just that alone would.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• science of reading and structured literacy through programs recognized under the Minnesota READ Act.
• <00:02:56.600> literacy<00:02:57.680> through reading and structured literacy through
• reading and structured literacy through programs<00:02:58.680> recognized<00:02:59.520> under
• <00:03:32.680> literacy<00:03:33.280> in of reading using structured literacy in of
• reading using structured literacy in order<00:03:33.680> to<00:03:33.840> benefit<00:03

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is the High Quality Literacy Instruction Act.
• The bill would require all literacy instruction for pre-K through 3rd grade students and all literacy
• So, this no longer prohibits because a lot of balanced literacy is also part of structured literacy.
• Applicable instead of literacy coaches, by literacy coaches when applicable. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Structured literacy and the science of reading might be one intervention, but we need to be much more

Transcript Highlights:

• And then again, an and literacy.
• And once they've obtained certification in these structured literacy, then they move to the PD that everyone
• certification in these structured certification in these structured literacy,<01:06:36.079> then
• I will tell you that once somebody gets a structured literacy or once somebody gets to this level, that
• I will tell you that once somebody gets a structured literacy or once somebody gets to this level, that

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, another literacy. Thank you.
• And I talked about financial literacy. a little bit more about it.
• basically regarding facility structure basically regarding facility structure and<00:52:03.440><
• I need to see where the structure DOE. I need to see where the structure form<01:10:25.960> is.
• structure with DOE, with the new people structure with DOE, with the new people on<01:12:40.960> board

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• literacy if they're at the elementary level.
• literacy.
• We all agree that that's not good enough as we've seen the implementation of structured literacy really
• They really went all in in literacy.
• They made huge investments, they, they've moved towards structured literacy, they've trained their, their

Transcript Highlights:

• Teachers reported frequently creating their own structured literacy lessons in Spanish, noting that resources
• Leveraging the home languages enhances comprehension, literacy, and identity.
• And just like in English, literacy is foundational to students. Being able to succeed.
• look at the bi-literacy and second.
• So I'm going to talk a little bit about this support structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• These students have focused on financial literacy.
• Coincidentally, we passed last year House Bill 251192 on financial literacy.
• So, they took on financial literacy.
• <00:32:34.720> and quizzes on financial literacy and quizzes on financial literacy and interesting
• > designed It's structured, modular, and designed It's structured, modular, and designed to<00

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 27, 2026 journal as corrected, and noted several roll-call corrections. A committee report from State Veterans and Military Affairs recommended Senate Bill 4 be amended and sent to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The president also announced signing of Senate bills and Senate Joint Resolution 5. The bulk of the meeting consisted of announcements and recognitions. Senators highlighted visits from the Colorado Council of 911 Authorities, Colorado Mesa University, CASE members, physical therapists and students, Rooted Christian Academy, the state community college system, a sportsmen’s legislative reception, and an open house for National Unclaimed Property Day. Senator Carson recognized Mountain Vista High School students who created a financial literacy curriculum and app to teach budgeting, banking, credit, interest, and debt, tying their work to last year’s financial literacy legislation. Committee scheduling announcements included the Joint Health and Human Services Committee meeting after House adjournment with the Joint Budget Committee presenting the governor’s budget, no Judiciary Committee meeting that day, and the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee’s first meeting to hear confirmations, Senate Joint Resolution 1, and Senate Bill 103. The Senate then recessed until 11:00 a.m. after a motion by the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also promote financial literacy in the community.
• They also offer other types of literacies.
• They also offer other types of literacies.
• They have evening classes for adults for computer literacy.
• We ask that... structural changes.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• soft<00:04:09.080> skills like financial literacy, soft skills like financial literacy
• They don't know the structure of education.
• , to focus on math and literacy, to focus on math and literacy, that<00:27:10.920> would<00
• <01:08:37.880> component least the financial literacy component least the financial literacy
• <01:08:44.440> education, literacy education, literacy education, but<01:08:46.440> we<

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee heard from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on several interim topics centered on student-centered learning. She highlighted work-based learning and dual/concurrent enrollment, saying the state is updating accountability measures and should examine whether these programs are helping students progress, avoid duplicative costs, and reduce the need for remedial college coursework. She also discussed broader life-skills education, including financial literacy and soft skills, and said districts vary widely in what they offer. On gifted and talented programs, she noted that districts are statutorily required to provide them but the state does not have a clear picture of how consistently they are implemented, and she suggested the committee may want to study that area further. Members asked follow-up questions about whether dual enrollment should be evaluated only by time-to-degree, and Degenfelder said the analysis should also consider additional credentials and remedial coursework. Senator Schuler and others raised the idea of making financial literacy or other life-skills content more common, though Degenfelder said she did not favor a statewide mandate and instead preferred incentives and district-level implementation. The committee also discussed artificial intelligence in schools as an information-sharing topic, with Degenfelder saying the department is beginning a landscape analysis with districts and teachers. She then reviewed NAEP results, noting Wyoming performs strongly in fourth grade but drops sharply by eighth grade, and said the state wants to understand where students are falling off. Members also raised concerns about international comparisons and the need to improve literacy and math outcomes. The committee then moved to member-submitted topics. Representative Strock proposed reviewing the governance structure of state education, arguing that the current split among the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other boards creates inefficiency and confusion, especially for licensure and programs like CTE. Senator Scott noted that turnover in the superintendent’s office could be a practical issue in any restructuring, and Strock responded that administrative staff could handle day-to-day operations. Representative Williams then introduced a discussion of common core standards and literacy, arguing that standards may be too broad and not specific enough, especially in early grades, and that Wyoming should emphasize phonics, basic reading, math, and civics more directly. Representative Guggenmos agreed that narrowing early-grade focus to math and literacy could improve outcomes. Finally, Representative Williams raised virtual education, saying it is growing quickly and the committee should study funding, accountability, and student support more closely; the chair opened that topic for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1454 is the next big step to take for our kids on literacy.
• Literacy is life. We represent 2,000.
• And center literacy in the work that we get to do as a legislature.
• This is a bill on literacy.
• We look at the play structure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• science of reading and structured literacy through programs recognized under the Minnesota Read Act.
• <00:03:48.319> literacy<00:03:49.360> through reading and structured literacy through
• reading and structured literacy through programs<00:03:50.400> recognized<00:03:51.120> under
• <00:04:24.400> literacy<00:04:24.880> in of reading using structured literacy in of
• reading using structured literacy in order<00:04:25.360> to<00:04:25.600> benefit<00:04

Bills: HF60, HF3067, HF3730, HF3638, HF3401

Keywords: interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:59.199> honoring commitment to literacy honoring commitment to literacy honoring commitment
• <01:30:18.920> is that literacy is that literacy is learning<01:30:20.600> that<01:
• about uh from the testifiers literacy about uh from the testifiers literacy skills<01:31:08.719>
• <01:31:17.040> reading leader in our caucus on literacy reading leader in our caucus on literacy
• language and and balanced literacy language and and balanced literacy approach<01:37:34.040>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Literacy lives. You can see that as item A in that screenshot on the right.
• Million dollars for literacy coaches.
• So this is where you'll see things around literacy, math, CTE, work-based learning.
• We will evaluate how funding structures affect access and quality.
• All right, next, we will be studying the literacy legislation implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We propose a $25 million early literacy Of one's life.
• And that is why I think the structure that you folks put in place makes a lot of sense.
• And pick whatever revenue structure you want. Pick whatever tax rates you want.
• Pick whatever revenue structure you want. Pick whatever tax rates you want.
• Let's start with early literacy high-dosage tutoring.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 55, the governor’s FY25 supplemental budget proposal to spend about $1.3 billion in surplus Fair Share revenue. House and Senate chairs framed the bill as a one-time opportunity to invest fairly in education and transportation, while also noting the need to protect the state’s long-term fiscal balance. Administration officials said the proposal should be considered alongside the FY26 budget and related bills, since the governor’s broader Fair Share plan aims for roughly an even split between education and transportation over time. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler outlined the administration’s priorities. Transportation funding would go mainly to the MBTA and related reserves, including money for the Federal Transit Administration reserve, MBTA stabilization reserve, low-income fares, winter resilience, RTA workforce support, MassDOT workforce and project delivery, and micro-transit grants. Education funding would support universal preschool expansion, early education and care capacity, early literacy tutoring, adult basic education and ESOL, early college and career technical education, MyCAP expansion, and special education circuit breaker funding. The administration emphasized that many of these investments are one-time or multi-year measures designed to address current needs without creating unsustainable recurring costs. Committee members raised concerns about regional equity, especially the large share of transportation money going to the MBTA versus regional transit authorities and rural areas. Several members asked for more detail on how the proposal would benefit Western Massachusetts and other non-MBTA regions, and whether micro-transit and Chapter 90-related investments would be sufficient. Education questions focused on special education reimbursement shortfalls, federal funding cuts to school districts, and how CTE and vocational investments would align students with workforce needs. The administration said it would provide additional data on MBTA versus RTA investment and explained that the special education circuit breaker and transportation reimbursement changes were intended to improve predictability and relief for districts. After the administration panel, Jessica Tang of AFT Massachusetts testified in support of using Fair Share funds to protect public education amid federal uncertainty and cuts. She argued that schools are facing a fiscal cliff, that vulnerable students would be hit hardest by funding losses, and that the Fair Share revenue should be used to preserve services and support students’ needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think having an anonymous reporting structure is going to save lives. Absolutely.
• I'm Rachel Berger, representing the Dyslexia and Literacy Coalition today.
• Our former approach to literacy instruction, known as balanced literacy, did not train educators to collect
• The newly hired literacy data specialist, Dr.
• Coalition. the Literacy Coalition.

Transcript Highlights:

• duties via the supervisory structure. duties via the supervisory structure.
• structural imbalance in future years. structural imbalance in future years.
• However, there will be a structural However, there will be a structural imbalance.<00:52:35.040>
• Following proposal is a literacy Following proposal is a literacy incentive<00:58:11.880> aid
• literacy incentive has worked over time. literacy incentive has worked over time.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all