Video & Transcript Research : 'preservice teachers'

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy Committee 3/10/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • 51.279><c> quickly</c> This information helps teachers quickly This information helps teachers quickly
  • </c> see that we address foundational teacher see that we address foundational teacher knowledge.<00:
  • </c><00:32:49.279><c> It</c> preparing teachers in that space. It preparing teachers in that space.
  • </c> teachers is essential for achieving it. teachers is essential for achieving it.
  • </c> done extensive research around teacher done extensive research around teacher preparation,<01:03
Bills: HF3421
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy Committee 3/17/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , after receiving an application from a developer or founder group, may charter either a licensed teacher
  • under statute or a group of individuals that includes one or more licensed teachers to operate a school
  • 41.680><c> statute</c><00:10:42.079><c> or</c><00:10:42.320><c> group</c><00:10:42.560><c> of</c> teacher
  • under statute or group of teacher under statute or group of individuals<00:10:43.360><c> that</c><00
  • to</c><00:10:46.160><c> operate</c><00:10:46.560><c> a</c><00:10:46.800><c> school</c> Licensed teachers
Bills: HF3487, HF3421
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee Feb 4th, 2026

Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am a retired government economics teacher. >> So y'all be nice. Y'all be nice to him.
  • I am a retired government<00:09:33.279><c> economics</c><00:09:34.000><c> teacher.
  • </c> government economics teacher. government economics teacher.
  • There's that temptation. >> Yeah, sure. >> What your teacher said is absolutely true.
  • </c><00:11:02.640><c> I'm</c> >> German was a teacher. >> What do you do in the real world?
Bills: HB272, HB272
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDU-LBT, EDU Public Hearings 02-06-2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:06:59.599><c> come</c> necessarily have to have teachers come necessarily have to have teachers
  • <c> for</c><00:10:42.560><c> teachers</c><00:10:42.880><c> or</c> teachers for retirees for teachers
  • </c> the entry level salary for the teacher the entry level salary for the teacher or<00:10:49.279><c
  • It includes counselors, teachers.
  • </c> feedback from other teachers about this? feedback from other teachers about this?
Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Feb 10th, 2026

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let's take up tab 1, SB 182 on school teacher training and mentoring programs by Senator Jones.
  • This strike-all aligns the bill with the House companion and refocuses the school teacher training and
  • It authorizes a stipend of up to $3,000 and allows mentors to support multiple classroom teachers.
  • It authorizes a stipend of up to $3,000 and allows mentors to support multiple classroom teachers.
  • But there was only one missing portion after I became a teacher and that was that dedicated mentor to
Bills: S0182, S1318, S1690
Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 1318 by Senator Rodriguez made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was taken up without debate and passed on a favorable roll call vote. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690 by Senator Calatayud on child care and early learning services. The bill updates child care laws, improves transparency and accountability, clarifies terminology, and aims to avoid over-regulating before- and after-school programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying rulemaking authority, shifting it to the State Board of Education. Senator Berman questioned a provision related to information on leaving children in vehicles, and Senator Calatayud said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182 by Senator Jones on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House companion, limited mentor placements to D- and F-rated schools, expanded participation to districts and charter schools, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and allowed use of educational enrichment funds. The amendment was adopted, supportive appearance forms were waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members recognized committee staff and applauded Kathy Missouri for her last committee meeting, and senators later recorded additional affirmative votes before adjournment.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Feb 13th, 2026 at 09:07 am

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The goal of the Teacher Residency Act changes is to support teacher recruitment and retention in New
  • A residency program is a one-year program where we work with the soon-to-be teacher and an expert teacher
  • The teachers who come out of this program gain a level of confidence that most teachers don't have.
  • The index minimum stipend for teacher residents will be adjusted to a minimum level one teacher salary
  • I am a former elementary teacher and a member of the New Mexico Alliance for Teacher Residencies, a group
Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Education Feb 13th, 2026 at 08:35 am

House Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • IEPs, which are sometimes the bane of teachers' existence.
  • I'm a public school teacher. My husband is disabled.
  • I'm also a former special education teacher. particularly important.
  • I'm also a former special education teacher at high school level.
  • We’re training teachers, and teachers are part of that training through the RECs.
Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Feb 13th, 2026

House Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It also gives our teachers who come out of this great confidence that most teachers don't have.
  • The index minimum stipend for teacher residents to a minimum level one teacher, which is $55,000.
  • The index minimum is going to, for a teacher resident, to a minimum level one teacher salary at 65% for
  • So what are we doing to help the teacher? put the teacher in the hospital.
  • But what are we doing to help the teacher? What are we doing to help the teacher?
Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306
Summary: The Senate Education Committee began with announcements about likely upcoming meetings and a reminder that public testimony could be limited if bills drew large crowds. Members also introduced student shadows and briefly recognized them. The committee then took up House Bill 30, which would revise the Teacher Residency Act to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention by tying resident stipends more closely to minimum level-one teacher salaries, increasing support for residents who already hold bachelor’s degrees, and giving residents more flexibility to complete their service in any public school rather than only the sponsoring district. The sponsor and supporters from educator preparation programs, unions, and advocacy groups said the bill would make residency programs more sustainable, help rural districts, and improve teacher preparation. The bill received support from the Public Education Department and several education organizations, and the committee voted due pass. The committee next heard House Bill 120, as amended, which would clarify and limit the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor explained that the bill came from a task force and is intended to clarify existing law rather than create a new mandate, with clearer definitions, stronger documentation, family notification, and limits on dangerous practices such as prone, mechanical, or chemical restraint. Supporters included PED, the special education ombuds office, disability rights advocates, teachers’ unions, parents, and civil rights groups, who emphasized student safety, trauma prevention, and better training for staff. One opposition witness from the school superintendents’ association argued the bill could add burdens and that more time was needed to implement current law. Committee members raised concerns about protecting teachers and aides during violent incidents; sponsors responded that the bill is meant to give staff clearer guidance and emergency-response tools, not replace disciplinary procedures. The committee voted due pass. House Joint Resolution 1, a constitutional amendment to create nominating commissions for university regents, was then presented. The sponsor said the goal is to reduce purely political appointments by having nonpartisan commissions recommend regent candidates, while also changing how student regents are selected so students have a direct voice rather than the university president choosing the student regent. AFT New Mexico supported the measure, citing concerns about donor or insider appointments and backing student representation. Committee members questioned how many commissions would be created, who would appoint their members, and how many names would be sent to the governor; the sponsor said those details would be set later in enabling legislation. The committee approved the resolution on a due pass vote, sending it onward in the process. The committee also quickly passed Senate Bill 306, which would align state higher education accreditation language with federal terminology by removing the distinction between regionally and non-regionally accredited institutions and changing reporting and fee requirements for smaller private institutions. Finally, Senate Bill 210, an appropriation for athletic and related facilities at New Mexico Highlands University, drew the most debate. Supporters said the university’s athletic facilities are outdated and inadequate, especially for women’s soccer and track, and that the project would help student-athletes and Title IX compliance. Committee members questioned the $80 million request, noting that only $3 million was currently in the budget for the three Division II schools and expressing concern about priorities amid other education funding needs. The sponsor and university president said the project could be phased and that private fundraising is also being pursued. Despite reservations and some no votes, the committee ultimately voted due pass. The chair closed by reminding members to plan on meeting Monday at 9 a.m. and said the committee was adjourned.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Education Feb 13th, 2026

House Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • IEPs, which are sometimes the bane of teachers' existence.
  • I'm a public school teacher. My husband is disabled.
  • I'm also a former special education teacher at the high school level.
  • We feel it in teacher preparation.
  • We're training teachers, and teachers are part of that training through the RECs.
Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 64, which would codify the existing Office of Special Education within the Public Education Department, create a deputy secretary position, and formalize responsibilities for enforcing special education law, monitoring disability protections, and supporting a statewide online IEP system. The sponsor and PED officials said the bill would provide continuity, improve compliance with IDEA, help students who move between schools, and keep gifted education unchanged in its current curriculum-and-instruction placement. An amendment requiring quarterly consultation with superintendents and charter school leaders was also described as a way to improve collaboration and continuous improvement. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from educators, disability advocates, parents, superintendents, unions, and charter school representatives, who said the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and services for students with disabilities. One parent testified in opposition to the gifted-education language, warning that removing gifted students from the special education umbrella could weaken protections and services. Committee members asked about cost, the office’s current structure, the role of 504 plans, and how the bill would affect military and foster students; PED said the office is already staffed and funded primarily through federal IDEA dollars and that 504 enforcement remains separate, though the office may monitor related protections. The committee then voted do pass. The committee next heard House Bill 256, which would require schools to include cardiac emergency response procedures for athletic activities and ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible at those events. Supporters, including the American Heart Association, nurses, and school leaders, emphasized that AEDs and trained staff can dramatically improve survival in sudden cardiac arrest cases. Questions focused on how many AEDs schools would need, whether schools already have them, and how the bill would affect middle school athletics and budgets; the sponsor said schools would determine the best placement, with at least one AED available for athletic events. The committee voted do pass. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 43, which asks LESC and PED to study how New Mexico and other states measure school performance, including the use of the Lexile reading framework. Superintendents argued that Lexile provides a more consistent, apples-to-apples comparison than some state accountability measures and could better reflect student growth. There was no opposition, members asked about possible study costs, and the memorial passed on a do pass motion.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • c> um</c> the the teachers, the DOE teachers, um the the teachers, the DOE teachers, um the<00:32:11.680
  • </c> teacher at all? teacher at all?
  • ><02:18:55.960><c> teacher,</c> teacher Yeah, a substitute teacher, teacher Yeah, a substitute teacher
  • And that teacher could be a teacher.
  • . teacher. teacher.
Bills: HB1890, HB1888, HB1676
Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDU Public Hearing 02-04-2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> for teacher standard board. for teacher standard board.
  • </c> teacher who is working with the teacher. teacher who is working with the teacher.
  • . teachers. teachers.
  • </c> for every type of teacher. for every type of teacher.
  • </c><01:23:15.920><c> or</c><01:23:16.080><c> teacher</c> >> Um, 300 uh student teachers or teacher high
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Edfin Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Last year, we administered nearly $17 million in grant funding to support teachers and teacher candidates
  • One is obviously through teacher preparation, which includes alternative teacher preparation providers
  • She thought I would be a fantastic teacher. Fantastic English teacher.
  • to be a licensed teacher, and overseeing nearly 800 teacher licensure programs. 800 teacher licensure
  • I came to this country wanting to be a teacher.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Finance Committee 4/3/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • One is obviously through teacher preparation, which includes alternative teacher preparation providers
  • </c> which includes alternative teacher which includes alternative teacher preparation<01:09:46.120><
  • and overseeing the state nearly teacher and overseeing the state nearly 700<01:19:04.239><c> teacher
  • </c><01:19:04.840><c> licensure</c> 700 teacher licensure 700 teacher licensure programs<01:19:07.120
  • </c> really good things from the teachers really good things from the teachers that<01:30:28.000><c>
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Mar 11th, 2026

Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:
  • Prior to me being a teacher in the East Long Middle Public School system, I was a paraprofessional at
  • I reached out to an attorney through the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and through all of our efforts
  • Though when I... ...I became a teacher there, I was able to join the MTRS service and I was able to have
  • So I had two years as a teacher there prior to moving to East Long Middle Public Schools.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> general counsel for the teachers general counsel for the teachers retirement<00:27:16.960><c> system
  • ><c> returning</c> that retired teacher is returning that retired teacher is returning full-time<00:31
  • , mostly as substitute teachers.
  • A substitute teacher is a very different job than a teacher. You have no benefits.
  • , that special ed that math teacher, that special ed teacher,<00:46:33.839><c> that</c><00:46:34.079>
Summary: The meeting began with quorum, approval of the prior minutes, and an announcement that the June meeting had been canceled and replaced by this combined May/June meeting; the next official PPOB meeting was announced for July 21 at 2:30. Staff then gave an overview of the Public Pension Oversight Board’s required actuarial audit process, explaining that House Bill 238 requires a review every five years of the retirement systems’ actuarial assumptions and methods, funded by the systems themselves. The presentation distinguished this audit from a financial or forensic audit, described the three possible audit levels (full replication, limited/spot review, or basic review), and noted that the last audit in 2021 was a level one performed by Milleman Consulting at a cost of about $190,000. Members discussed timing for the next audit cycle, with a request to LRC likely needed in July or August to target the June 30, 2026 valuation, and several members expressed interest in another level one review. Questions also addressed whether prior audits found major issues; staff said the 2021 review was generally clean but recommended more consistency in reporting and assumptions across systems. The committee then welcomed new staff and interns, including Odet Guanzi of KPPPA and Team Kentucky intern Amamira Bowman. Bo Barnes of the Teachers Retirement System presented an overview of the statutory framework for reemployment after retirement under KRS 161.605. He explained that the law is intended to let retirees return to help with staffing needs, do so in an actuarially sound way through required contributions, and keep TRS compliant with federal tax rules for a qualified plan under section 401(a). Barnes described the required breaks in service and earnings limits for retirees returning part-time or full-time, including the three-month or 12-month break depending on the employer, the 6,900-day limit, and the daily wage threshold based on years of service. He also noted a lightly used critical shortage program that allows school districts to hire retirees without a wage cap, while still observing the break-in-service rules. Members asked questions about who decides the scope and level of the actuarial audit, how the audit would treat leave balances and other benefit-related items, and whether the prior level one audit identified substantial problems. Staff said the committee would request the audit, but LRC would handle contracting, and that the audit scope could include items like sick leave and annual leave costs if requested. On the reemployment topic, Barnes emphasized that the rules are designed to avoid pre-arranged retire-and-return arrangements that could jeopardize TRS’s tax-qualified status. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the meeting concluded with the presentations and discussion of these pension oversight issues.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:34:39.280><c> Retirement</c> General Counsel for Teachers Retirement General Counsel for Teachers
  • , retired teachers, and school districts all started contributing more.
  • , retired teachers, and school districts all started contributing more.
  • </c> Uh we've moved that retired teacher Uh we've moved that retired teacher health<00:54:13.440><c>
  • uh full-time teachers in the district<00:57:47.920><c> of</c><00:57:48.359><c> 3%.
Summary: The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, followed by a roll call confirming a quorum and approval of the prior minutes. A special guest, Dave Eager, was welcomed before the committee moved to presentations from retirement system officials. Bo Craycraft, executive director of the Judicial Form Retirement System, gave a quarterly update on investment performance, asset allocation, and cash flow. He said the plans had held up well amid market volatility, with fiscal year-to-date returns above benchmark and long-term returns remaining strong. He explained that the plans are targeted to a 70% equity/30% fixed-income allocation, that some cash is being held for cash-flow management, and that negative cash flow is expected because of funding and contribution levels. He also said Senate Bill 183, dealing with proxy voting and economic analysis for certain votes, was not expected to materially affect the plans because of their small number of holdings and Bear Trust’s long-term investment approach. Ryan Barrow and Erin Surrod then presented for the Kentucky Pension Authority. They reported positive quarterly performance across the retirement and insurance funds, though results varied by period and remained tied to broader market conditions. They said recent asset-allocation changes had been completed and the funds were now within target ranges. On cash flow, they noted some plans remained negative or near zero, with one plan benefiting from a large appropriation. In the legislative update, they described House Bill 30 as codifying an exclusion from pension-spiking calculations for across-the-board raises, and Senate Bill 10 as increasing retiree health insurance subsidies and changing employee health insurance contribution rules for certain CERS members beginning in 2026. They also said Senate Bill 183 would likely have limited impact, though the agency would review voting policies and incorporate any required economic-analysis procedures.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Retirement May 5th, 2026

Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • What happened to my math teacher? Where's my English teacher?
  • a certified teacher of any stripe.
  • It might not be a retired teacher. It could be a teacher that comes in from Mississippi.
  • Or a certified teacher of any stripe. It might not be a retired teacher.
  • Teachers and other school employees, particularly teachers, though, have leave requirements in state
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Mar 18th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The decision is made where the teachers or teacher feels like they need someone else to try to help them
  • My wife was a kindergarten teacher, currently as a pre-K teacher.
  • From two days per year to four, really simply just to help improve teacher morale and keep teachers able
  • It's also about targeted professional development, teacher support—not adding more things to teachers—but
  • I can't speak for every teacher, but the ones that I'm still in contact with are elementary teachers
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • than Black teachers do.
  • teachers.
  • aspiring teachers.
  • determining teacher layoffs.
  • And this, from another teacher: Professional development for teachers is essential.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its 13th hearing, chaired by Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Gordon, and heard testimony on a large slate of bills covering personnel and miscellaneous education issues. The first major topic was House Bill 711 and Senate Bill 327, the “So All Students Thrive” proposal, which would change reduction-in-force rules so districts could consider teacher effectiveness, student impact, staffing needs, and diversity-related factors alongside seniority. Supporters from Educators for Excellence, including teachers and a former school committee chair, argued that current seniority-based layoff rules can push out effective early-career educators and harm efforts to build a more diverse workforce. Committee members raised questions about tenure, union involvement, and how the bill would interact with the Educator Diversity Act and local contract negotiations; members generally said they shared the goal of diversifying the educator workforce and encouraged continued collaboration and feedback. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 658, which would require educator training on gifted and advanced learners. Parents, teachers, researchers, and advocates said Massachusetts lacks required preservice or professional development on gifted education, leaving many advanced students unchallenged and underserved. Witnesses described students who are bored, under-identified, or even discouraged in school, and argued that training would help teachers recognize and support gifted students, including students of color, multilingual learners, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Testimony also supported related prior bills on advanced learners and emphasized that the state should act on a 2019 DESE report recommending such training. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 736 and Senate Bill 435, which would establish de-escalation training for school transportation. The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council said the measure would improve safety for students and bus operators, fill a gap in current school bus driver certification requirements, and better support students with disabilities. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4720, concerning the Athol-Royalston Regional School District’s state bailout-related reserve requirements; the superintendent said the district has long maintained fiscal stability but is still forced to leave over half a million dollars unspent each year, limiting resources for a high-poverty student population. After testimony concluded, the chairs read the full list of bills on the agenda, thanked the committee and staff, and the hearing was adjourned.