Transcript Highlights:

• Given the push for math, extra math professional development, do you think that's enough?
• how do we do math statewide.
• Chair, in the math learning part.
• preparing students for math.
• So similar to the math, where every person who teaches math has to have those methods courses.

Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• . levels of math.
• It requires screening of students to determine what level of math they are currently at.
• Being a good teacher but without math content is not sufficient either, and particularly for the math
• The screening tool makes it very clear for the teacher in each of the different areas of math appropriate
• tools for math.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another challenge for us last year was participation in the in-person screenings and testings.
• Another challenge for us last year was participation in the in-person screenings and testings.
• Another challenge for us last year was participation in the in-person screenings and testings.
• Another challenge for us last year was participation in the in-person screenings and testings.
• in-person screenings and testings short<00:15:04.639> screening<00:15:05.040> and<00:15

Keywords: 958, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases the math methods courses. How do you teach math by one course?
• math and the lower end of secondary math.
• Most of the secondary math preparation... ...math and the lower end of secondary math.
• And I've— ...because of math and the, like, scariness of math.
• are really good in math don't fear standardized math tests.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an actual screen time if you're using screens on math instruction, math tutoring, reading, and
• They do everything on the screen.
• So there's the actual screen time, then you add it to home screen time.
• The other day, I looked at my phone—seven hours one day on the screen.
• But also for math, because we're wanting to do math assessments and look. at another assessment for math

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the push for math and extra math professional development. Do you think that's enough?
• Addressing the alignment between the math content and the ability to teach math. Is that right?
• Chair, in the math learning part.
• in preparing students for math.
• So similar to the math, where every person who teaches math has to have those methods courses in this

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Math ability is not a personality trait. It is a... ...grade level in math.
• And it's why 20 other states have integrated early math assessment into their math improvement strategies
• Every child deserves the... ...early math assessment into their math improvement strategies.
• Every child deserves the right to build confidence in math before they decide that they're not a math
• The math crisis in California is real.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We conduct all the hearing and vision requirements and scoliosis screenings.

Bills: SB57, SB405, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB222, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB815, HB949, HB1092, HB1214

Keywords: SB 57, Act 735, Act 463, nutrition, public health, food additives, artificial colors, banned chemicals, ingredient labeling, food labeling, FDA, food and beverage regulation, consumer disclosure, school nutrition, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17, food manufacturers, food retailers, compliance, effective date delay

Bills: HB63, HB91, HB98, HB108, HB131, HB151, HB161, HB294, HB305, HB310, HB320, HB336, HB622, HB789, HB1040

Keywords: HB63, Louisiana bail, bail bond, surety, failure to appear, FTA, bench warrant, NCIC, National Crime Information Center, criminal procedure, Article 331, defendant registry, surrender of defendant, rule to show cause, law enforcement records, pretrial release, bond forfeiture, disclosure, criminal records, witness protection

Bills: HB342, HB342, HB168, HB220, SB187, SB270, SB265, SB220, SB242, SB277

Keywords: religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, tax credit, scholarship, education funding, financial aid, federal participation, HB168, Alabama, emergency management, local emergency management organization, mutual aid, mutual aid agreement, disaster response, public safety, public health, state emergency management plan

Transcript Highlights:

• We have math initiatives that are coming through with math coaches, and I know that that's the next wave
• I'm excited about the math bill.
• I.e., kids with math skills go into a higher kind of academic.
• Schedule and kids without math skills are kind of left to the side.
• See how we can improve math outcomes for this state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2252 supports Math Academy, ...demonstrate a deep knowledge of math pedagogy.
• to provide strong math instruction.
• Texas currently lacks a requirement to screen for math deficiencies in early grades, despite voters overwhelmingly
• Even if it's not a math job, you are going to still need math skills, that understanding of algebraic
• The math works.

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would require essentially anyone who teaches math to take six hours of math methods courses.
• It would also create new statewide processes for early math screening, individual support plans, and
• Morning, you have an engineer who's really good at math. Do they know how to teach math?
• My concern, being a math teacher and working with a lot of math teachers, and that was...
• We are not the best math teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how screens affect young children.
• math or science.
• Actually, there's only two slots available, either math and science or both science or both math and
• science teachers in that pool. of certified math and science teachers of certified math and science
• Math and science and I do our state.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide strong math instruction.
• to screen for math deficiencies in early grades despite voters overwhelmingly supporting early identification
• This bill contemplates required math training for K-8 math teachers.
• Even if it's not you're doing a math job, you're going to still need math skills, that understanding
• The math works.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the same one on the screen.
• So, for example, both your literacy and math bills have screening requirements. Right?
• And then we have math legislation implementation right below that.
• All right, moving to slide 10, we have our Screen Time Memorial.
• By math, the two math sections, they are so worn out.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our math data.
• I'm looking at the math also.
• Math. Let's look specifically on math. I was a math teacher. 5.6 means they learned nothing.
• We spent a lot of time in my building on the math practices, the eight math practices.
• I was a math teacher, a representative of Sariano, a math teacher.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've also expanded the number of screening options districts can use.
• So the dyslexia screening. One of my daughters is dyslexic.
• She has an A in math. She has an A in social studies. But she's got a C in reading.
• But she was not screened. She was noticed. And you're talking about something... "Screened.
• What do you mean when you talk about screening, and what does that look like?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• tool, yes, would be screened for...
• tool, yes, would be screened for...
• tool, yes, would be screened for...
• tool, yes, would be screened for...
• tool, yes, would be screened for...

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:

• detection<00:02:29.120> and screening is early detection and screening is early detection
• being screened across the USA, including the Minnesota newborn screening lab.
• out by the newborn screening program. out by the newborn screening program.
• math just doesn't work.
• The math doesn't work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all