Transcript Highlights:

• For people, that's welcome to the Education Policy Committee.
• Now you're going to hear the State Board of Education has decided to do that as a matter of policy.
• Parents are being told, "No, we don't have a policy..." ...being told, "No, we don't have a policy."
• policy.
• And why did they implement that policy?

Bills: HB298, HB342, HB332, HB344

Keywords: athletic classification, public high schools, English language learners, state education policy, athletic associations, religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Education has played a crucial role in overseeing civil rights protections in educational
• It is entirely inconvenient to educate students who need special education because it's expensive, and
• special education by $1.7 billion.
• The reality of an education system without a Department of Education to disperse funds doesn't just look
• like poor educational outcomes.

Keywords: public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence

Summary: This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students. Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward. Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the House Education Policy Committee to order. A quorum is present.
• Welcome back to the Education Policy Committee.
• Hello, Madam Chair and Education Policy Committee members. My name is Amanda Faye.
• Keeler, since you're the member of Education Policy, would you like to make a motion regarding House
• policy uh would the member of education policy uh would you<01:14:45.440> like<01:14:45.640><

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Transcript Highlights:

• vendors of educational products.
• Line three says no education agency shall knowingly contract with an education service provider or a
• in education.
• The Policy Institute is a nonprofit, independent source of data and research on early childhood education
• for all early Bessie Bulletin, policies, and standards for all early childhood education programs.

Bills: HB113, HB342, HB632, HB690, HB1003, HB1078, HB1132, HB1146

Keywords: grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, special education, due process, local education agency, burden of proof, IEP, education law, data sharing, student information, privacy, education, LA FIRST, foreign adversaries, terrorism, contracting, school funding

Summary: The committee first heard HB 690 by Rep. Amedee, which would prohibit education agencies from contracting with, and education service providers or vendors from subcontracting with, foreign adversaries, foreign terrorist organizations, or their agents. Supporters argued the bill would protect school tax dollars and prevent foreign influence in education, citing concerns about Chinese Communist Party involvement and similar actions in Florida and Texas. Members asked about how foreign-adversary status would be determined and whether due process would apply; the author said the bill incorporates federal definitions and includes administrative and legal redress under the Louisiana Procurement Code. A technical amendment changing “terrorists” to “terrorist” was adopted, and the committee reported HB 690 as amended without objection. The committee then took up HB 1078 by Rep. Freiberg, which would let higher education institutions offer standalone online courses, not just online programs tied to a degree or on-campus equivalent. LSU Online testified that the current law forces students to enroll in a program to take an online course and that the bill would add flexibility for professional and workforce training. Members discussed tuition setting, prerequisites, and whether the bill would allow non-degree students to enroll; the author and LSU representative said pricing would be market-based and courses would still carry credit. The committee reported HB 1078 favorably without objection. HB 113 by Rep. Phelps, which would apply the uniform 10-point grading scale retroactively to students who were ninth graders in 2023-2024, drew the most debate. The author said the bill was intended to capture that cohort after the original law took effect a year later than expected, but members raised concerns about fairness, inconsistent implementation across school systems, fiscal implications, and whether changing finalized academic records was appropriate. After discussion, the committee voted 2-9 against the motion to report the bill, and HB 113 failed. Finally, the committee heard HB 632 by Rep. Spell, a cleanup bill for LA FIRST, the state’s longitudinal data system. The bill and proposed amendments would streamline data sharing from the Department of Education to the Blanco Center, clarify what data are shared and removed, and remove a five-year look-back period for the new process. Members focused heavily on privacy, the use of personally identifying information, whether districts should be required to participate, and whether de-identified data could be used instead. Rep. Carlson proposed an amendment to change certain “shall” provisions to “may” and add more protections, but after discussion the author indicated he wanted more time to work through concerns, and the amendment was withdrawn and the bill was deferred rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, my name is Farrah, and I'm here today as a student who has lived throughout my life. our education
• Education should finally reflect that. Thank you. Thank you, Farah.
• As students encounter our public education system, that the fate of their school, the fate of their funding
• At the end of the day, it's certainly not the students of the state who benefit from this education.
• bills before the Public Education Committee.

Keywords: House Bill 8, standardized testing, student testimony, education policy, mental health, parent concerns, Texas Education Agency

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the impacts of House Bill 8, which proposes increasing the frequency of state testing for students in Texas. During the meeting, various testimonies were provided by students, highlighting their concerns about the negative effects of standardized testing on their educational experience. Students expressed that the pressure of multiple assessments causes significant stress and detracts from the joy of learning. Some lawmakers voiced their opposition to the bill, emphasizing the need for a thorough review and consideration of alternative evaluation methods that prioritize student well-being over testing metrics.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Education K-16 will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Campbell.
• It relates to developing a strategic plan for improvement and expansion of early learning educational
• Members, this bill relates to the use of funds awarded under the Jobs and Education for Texans. known
• in public institutions of higher education.
• At 9:45 in the education room, E1.6.028, again at 9:45 in the morning.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, the State Department of Education, after each district gets their policies in place, it will
• Anyway, the State Department of Education, after each district gets their policies in place, it will
• Anyway, the State Department of Education, after each district gets their policies in place, it will
• Nisha, chief policy officer with the Wyoming Department of Education.
• Department of Education pay that cost. Department of Education pay that cost.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon and welcome to the House Education Committee. We have the House Education Committee.
• these are not abstract policy debates. these are not abstract policy debates.
• School policies typically speech.
• kids' educational education, your kids' educational happens<00:52:27.280> fast<00:52:27.599><
• schools exist to educate children. schools exist to educate children.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair calls the Education Policy Committee to order for Tuesday, April 1st, 2025.
• Thank you for allowing me the time today to speak on the Education House Education Policy Bill.
• We also thank you for including so much of the governor's education policy bill.
• The provisions that allow the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to approve Adult Basic Education
• It's a good little education policy bill, and so I guess I will conclude my thoughts here with some thank

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• The split, as you can see, between K12 and higher education is about The K12 and higher education split
• If you follow the K-12 and higher education.
• We've added $120,000 to the educational television... $120,000 to the educational television for semiquincentennial
• We have $400,000 on line 212 for early childhood education... line 212 for early childhood education
• policy that addresses this.

Bills: SB113, SB114, SB305, SB111, HB600, SB112, SB150, SB109, SB122

Keywords: education funding, appropriations, local education boards, school safety, workforce development, Alabama, technology, higher education, career technology centers, public institutions, grants, local education agencies, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students

Bills: HB6, HB120, HB210

Keywords: higher education, LGBTQ studies, DEI studies, program prohibition, educational policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Singleton, South, Sadie Becknell, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Liz Mangum, Policy Institute
• Singleton, South, Sadie Becknell, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Liz Mangum, Policy Institute
• That's a different policy.
• , or institutional-specific policies.
• Louisiana has a rich history of non-public education, particularly religious education, and has respected

Bills: HCR47, HB628, HB737, HB1008, HB1062, HB1079, HB1112

Keywords: mandatory reporter, child abuse training, online training, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Education, educator requirements, early childhood education, microcenter, school board, cooperative endeavor, economic disadvantage, vaccination, meningococcal disease, school entry, immunization requirements, public health, academic freedom, free speech, retaliation, faculty rights

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1079, which would allow charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended a licensed early learning center operated by the charter school or by another center with an articulation agreement. An amendment expanded the preference to children of active-duty military members, children in foster care, and children in court-ordered custody situations, and a second amendment clarified that the preference is permissive and not required. Supporters said the bill would improve continuity from pre-K to kindergarten and encourage more early learning centers. The committee adopted both amendments and reported HB 1079 as amended. The committee then took up HB 737, which would remove the state requirement that students show proof of meningococcal vaccination for school and postsecondary entry. The author and supporters argued the vaccine should be a matter of parental choice and shared decision-making with doctors, citing updated CDC guidance and the low incidence of the disease. Opponents, including pediatricians, vaccine advocates, and meningitis survivors, warned that the disease is fast-moving and severe, that the vaccine helps prevent outbreaks, and that existing opt-out provisions already provide flexibility. After extensive testimony, the motion to report HB 737 failed on a 4-8 vote. Next, the committee considered HB 628, as substituted, which would allow the Department of Education to license type 3 early learning centers to operate micro-centers at schools and expand access for three-year-olds. The author said the bill would help expand early childhood education, improve school readiness, and support working families. Department of Education staff explained the licensing and approval process, and supporters said the measure would improve access and transitions into kindergarten. The committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 628 by substitute. Finally, the committee heard HB 1008, which would prohibit public postsecondary institutions from retaliating against faculty for disclosing certain violations or exercising academic freedom and free speech. The author and a professor supporting the bill argued it would protect faculty expression and reduce self-censorship. The committee adopted two amendments that clarified the definition of academic freedom and tightened the remedies language. Testimony in support continued from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and the bill remained under consideration at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] The Chair calls the Education Policy Committee to order for Tuesday, April 1st, 2025.
• So thank you for allowing me time today to speak on the education policy bill.
• It it's a common education policy bill.
• We feel strongly education policy bill.
• It's a good little education policy bill.

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For students and public institutions of higher education.
• Agency, the State Board of Education, and any other state educational institution from making rules
• and eventually to broader special education services.
• I am the Director of Early Learning Policy at... ...Texans Care for Children.
• Public Policy Foundation.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to this meeting of the Senate Committee on Education.
• So it will also serve as a platform to bring in other policy perspectives and other policy aspects that
• The Education and Economic Fund is kind of different.
• Jenstrom-Gaynor, committee policy analyst.
• Jen Sturmgainer, Committee Policy Analyst.

Bills: AB328, AB397

Keywords: Juneteenth, education, economic commission, cultural affairs, racial healing, policy recommendations, African-American studies, higher education, fee waivers, Native American students, unaccompanied youth, academic progress, Nevada System of Higher Education, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It means the board of education.
• If we don't teach them... educational.
• It's just requiring your boards of education to adopt the policies.
• Um, it will require the school itself, the boards of education to set the policy as it relates to violations
• I also push workforce development, but education is why... as well.

Bills: SB278, HB459, HB61

Keywords: University of South Alabama, board of trustees, education governance, state appointments, governance reforms, membership changes, home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And today we've had some really good discussions about policy and how they can influence policy.
• If they can be educated about it at a young age, this will educate. It's named after Rain.

Bills: SB540, HB1085, HB1484

Keywords: service warranty, administrative fees, financial statements, insurance, Oklahoma statutes, fentanyl, drug awareness, schools, substance abuse prevention, education policy, youth education, public health, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• model sick leave day policy. model sick leave day policy.
• implement a sick leave uh a bank policy implement a sick leave uh a bank policy and<00:05:03.840
• 19.759> was<00:08:20.080> actually education trust fund budget was actually education trust
• <00:09:15.760> and a statewide campaign to educate and a statewide campaign to educate and
• education trust fund back in the 80s. education trust fund back in the 80s.

Bills: SB211, SB305, SB300, SB211, SB305, SB300

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, tax exemption, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the great privilege of being the federal policy director and board vice chair of Students Engaged
• If we are the primary stakeholders of the education policy decisions being made by lawmakers, it only
• lawmakers, to ensure that policies adequately represent our needs.
• There's always ways to continue to improve the policies until we get to the finish.
• The lawmakers pushing for these policies don't truly recognize the harm that these policies cause to

Keywords: student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.” Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. 3 Senate Education Committee.
• from adopting national sexual education standards developed by future of Education Initiative, prohibit
• TEKS for health education which are based on Texas family values. 414 of a future of sex education initiative
• national sex education standards.
• This is not education. So it's just not education.

Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy