Video & Transcript Research : 'public school choice'
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 11th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- School board training is a continuation of our training system.
- School for the Deaf, no changes. School for the Deaf, no changes.
- What was included in that, we did add the School for the Blind.
- Section 18, this is School for the Deaf, for a boiler replacement.
- State aid to public libraries, that's their grant money.
Bills:
HB1540
Keywords:
education savings account, ESA, school choice, private school vouchers, nonpublic school, tuition assistance, education tax credit, homeschool exclusion, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Public Instruction, public funding for private education, voucher program, student scholarships, special education, parental choice, curriculum funding, tutoring, online learning, state per-pupil payment, income-based eligibility
Summary:
The committee first took up amended bill 10-13, a school funding and education appropriations measure. Senator Schaible walked through the final version, which included changes to foundation aid, transportation grants, free and reduced-price meals funding, paraprofessional and teacher support programs, Native American education items, library and school facility projects, and several one-time grants. Members discussed removing the science center grant funding, and Senator Meyer objected to that removal, arguing that Grand Forks had raised matching private and local funds and that other cities had received similar state support. The committee also agreed to adjust regional education association funding to reflect six centers rather than seven, reducing that line to $600,000.
The committee then adopted the amendment to 10-13 unanimously and passed the bill as further amended on a unanimous roll call, with Senator Shively designated as carrier. After a brief recess, the committee turned to bill 1540, but no formal action was taken. Bank of North Dakota and OMB representatives raised concerns that the draft included policy changes and procurement/IT exemptions that needed further discussion. Members agreed the bill would be delayed until Monday so the Bank, OMB, and NDIT could confer and work through the mechanics and policy issues before the committee moved it forward.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We connect public charter school stakeholders from the 17 Alabama public charter schools with policymakers
- Conversion public charter schools are one way to do that, and most of the changes that SB336 proposes
- systems through the accountability act or conversion public charter schools.
- Charter schools were originally sold to the public as schools that would have flexibility with curriculum
- that charter schools receive funding comparable to traditional public schools with the funding... traditional
Keywords:
computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school
TX
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- I have no choice today than to... Honor my word that he took care of my concern.
- Let's say that would be $800 million cut out of the local budgets for schools, county roads, county public
- safety, our schools when we're talking about costs that are running up.
- And that is leading to corporate profits, not to local schools and public safety.
- Local rural schools more so than schools in the metro area.
Keywords:
income tax, tax rates, revenue certification, Oklahoma Tax Commission, state budget, education, tax credit, school choice, private school, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, insurance, taxation, premium, home office credit, healthcare, teacher tax credit, income tax credit
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- public schools.
- I will say that one of the things that private schools have that public schools don't, but we do have
- My name is Ryan Davenport, a public school administrator.
- It is not good for the public school.
- Be with navigation services and outreach services, public schools, ISDs, and charter schools.
Keywords:
bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This law must equally apply to public ISDs, public charter schools, private schools, and and a new rising
- No, sir, they're public charter schools. Public charter schools where the boards are appointed.
- Many of the boards are in public charter schools.
- services provided there, but we want our public schools to be schools of choice for families. families
- . public schools, ISDs, charter schools.
Keywords:
bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee 3rd Revision: Oreder revised Feb 18th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- school?
- I don't think any school is going to be overrun with virtual school or virtual charter school or homeschool
- This is just allowing a public school child to practice their First Amendment rights.
- Before school, after school?
- we saw when Coach Kennedy was sued by Bremerton Public Schools.
Keywords:
extracurricular activities, charter schools, student eligibility, virtual education, Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, prayer, religious freedom, public schools, consent, First Amendment, school policy, paid maternity leave, school employees, public health, childcare, work-life balance, education, family leave, tuition, grant
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 4274 deals with military students and military school choice.
- So, virtual charter schools are obviously online only.
- So, in the PCS, it is a requirement for the schools to offer it.
- So, I guess my question comes: could a school already do this?
- So you know, we're treating them as elementary school kids, right?
Keywords:
HB4274, Oklahoma schools, interdistrict transfer, open transfer, school enrollment, military families, active duty, National Guard, Reserve orders, military installation, residency requirements, district of choice, public school transfer, student transfer, special education, IEP, Section 504, military housing, base housing, electronic enrollment
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee Apr 1st, 2026
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- their menus or their suppliers posted like they're supposed to post, I think that would satisfy the public
- 00:10:23.000><c> would</c><00:10:23.240><c> satisfy</c><00:10:23.920><c> the</c><00:10:24.040><c> public
- ,</c><00:10:24.600><c> satisfy</c> would would satisfy the public, satisfy would would satisfy the public
Keywords:
HB444, vaccines, vaccine exemption, religious exemption, religious liberty, private school, church school, faith-based school, parochial school, school immunization, testing requirement, disease testing, parental rights, school enrollment, attendance requirements, CHOOSE Act, school choice, education funding, tax exemption, corporate income tax
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House State Government Committee May 7th, 2025
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill simply allows public school students to enrich their school opportunities with an optional
- I'm also the wife of a seventh-grade public school math teacher and coach, and the former director of
- public school system.
- busing system, the public school system.
- But many years ago, I heard somebody from a private school say public schools had not taught... say public
Keywords:
education, national anthem, patriotism, school policy, constitutional amendment, SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- public school.
- the public school of their choice.
- Just to public school districts, I'm sorry, you said just to school districts.
- I grew up here and went to public school in AIS.
- public schools.
Keywords:
higher education, tuition rates, financial support, immigration status, Texas law, SB 1835, resident tuition, nonresident students, scholarship students, public higher education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Education Code Section 54.213, tuition waiver, in-state tuition, out-of-state students, higher education finance, enrollment cap, capacity limit, workforce development area, nonimmigrant visa
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's take up tab 1, SB 182 on school teacher training and mentoring programs by Senator Jones.
- a grade of D or F and expanding participation to allow both school districts and charter schools to
- Schools, Marcus McMiller, waiving in support.
- a grade of D or F and expanding participation to allow both school districts and charter schools to
- Schools, Marcus McMiller, waiving and support.
Keywords:
education, Florida schools, charter schools, private schools, school choice, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, FTC scholarship, scholarship accounts, fund reversion, public school curriculum, cursive writing, handwriting, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, patriotic programs, In God We Trust, teacher mentoring, teacher training, new teacher support, classroom management
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.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- school classroom from the teacher is what determines the success or The continued issues that public
- students are regularly placing public schools at harm.
- I mean, that's what our classrooms have evolved to in our public school settings.
- So our public schools are a reflection of our society.
- But this is not just a public school issue.
Bills:
SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925
Keywords:
residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district
Summary:
The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order.
SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward.
Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The common denominator is public schools.
- threatening students are regularly placing public schools at harm.
- Classrooms have evolved in our public school settings.
- And 2,500 teachers of our public school participants actually chimed in.
- Our public schools are a reflection of our society, and what you're seeing in the public school really
Bills:
SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925
Keywords:
residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district
TX
Bills:
SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925
Keywords:
residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 28th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- As a person with experience of what it's like to navigate through our state's public schools while living
- Teachers will want to stay in our Florida public schools.
- I serve as the student advisor for District 3 of Barrow County Public Schools, and I see these challenges
- This requirement places a symbolic visual mandate on every public school classroom across the state.
- This requires a symbolic visual mandate on every public school classroom across the state, regardless
Keywords:
Florida Virtual School, FLVS, virtual school, online education, distance learning, K-12 education, public school choice, charter-like franchise, student enrollment priorities, home education, homeschool, military families, active duty military, rural schools, inner-city schools, accelerated graduation, education technology, supplemental funding, direct-support organization, foundation
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School’s statute to remove outdated language and clarify its service, funding, governance, reporting, and district coordination provisions without changing day-to-day operations. Florida Virtual School testified in support, members praised the bill, and it passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
The committee then took up CS for SB 206 on students with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Harrell explained that the bill would require autism and neurodevelopmental training in educator preparation programs, require ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, create an Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, provide salary supplements for teachers with the autism endorsement, and require district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. A large number of speakers—teachers, parents, students, and advocacy groups—supported the bill while urging that implementation be fully funded, high quality, and not become an unfunded mandate. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing the growing number of students with autism and the need to recruit and retain special education teachers. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote.
Finally, the committee considered SB 420 on patriotic displays in classrooms. Chair Burgess explained the bill as a way to place portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in schools to encourage civic and patriotic reflection, and he offered an amendment narrowing the requirement from every classroom to one prominent display in each school and adding language making it subject to state appropriation. The amendment was adopted. Testimony on the bill was mixed: some speakers supported the idea as a spark for civic discussion, while many others opposed it as symbolic, unnecessary, or better addressed through curriculum and teacher training rather than mandated displays. In debate, some senators argued the portraits could prompt broader historical conversations, while others raised concerns about representation, classroom autonomy, and funding. The transcript ends during debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Apr 16th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Homeschoolers to participate in career and technical programs in the public schools. Okay.
- going to be in public school, or you're going to be in a different school.
- And, you know, we had a waiting list in many of our career centers right now for public school students
- So, seeing that, you know, if the space is available, as you said, public school students would have
- We don't need to disrupt our public schools at all. Thank you. Okay.
Keywords:
SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education, local board of education, attendance credit, core curriculum, religious education, Bible class
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, this bill relates to reporting of certain public school employees. ...is conducted to local
- This bill relates to Holocaust education and training provided to students enrolled. ...at public schools
- The bill relates to the protection from adverse action against public schools and institutions of higher
- Excused absences from public school for the purpose of attending a released time course.
- Members, the bill relates to the transfer of certain public school students who are children of peace
Keywords:
educator misconduct, reporting requirements, local law enforcement, public and private schools, penalties for non-compliance, expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, telework, public education, employee rights, emergency provisions, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, antisemitism, genocide education, public schools
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Now let's take up Tab 2, SB 178, on athletics and public K-12 schools by Senator Jones.
- SB 178, Athletics and Public Schools K-12, directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt
- The proposed bill updates the exemption to include district school boards and public schools, and the
- Do you find it offensive that a school is open? Because right now they have a choice.
- Do you find it offensive that a school is open? Because right now they have a choice.
Keywords:
public records, open government, sunshine law, education assessments, testing materials, exam security, assessment instruments, test items, answer keys, scoring rubrics, item banks, developmental materials, workpapers, student testing, academic dishonesty, cheating, Florida Department of Education, State Board of Education, Board of Governors, Florida College System
Summary:
The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036 on school counselors was amended to clarify certification exemptions and passed, with support focused on addressing counselor shortages and student mental health needs. SB 1136 on dental screenings for K-12 students was converted by delete-all amendment to place the screening definition in the School Health Services Act and to require written parent notice and exemption procedures; it passed with support from PTA and other advocates. SB 920 on mathematics education passed after discussion of applied algebra courses tied to career pathways, while preserving Algebra I standards, end-of-course testing, graduation requirements, and university admission eligibility. SB 178 on athletics and public K-12 schools also passed after amendment adding a $15,000 annual cap on coach-provided personal support per team and discussion of guardrails to prevent recruiting abuses; members emphasized the role coaches play in supporting students. SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation passed with broad support for giving districts more flexibility on pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and advanced degree compensation. The committee also approved SPB 7022, a public records exemption bill extending protections for examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and clarifying coverage for district and school materials. SB 464 on observance of Veterans Day in K-12 schools passed after debate over whether schools should be closed or use the day for programs, with supporters arguing for statewide consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538 on physical education passed after a delete-all amendment establishing standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressing coach compensation at the district level, and clarifying participation limits across schools. The committee recessed briefly for Senator Avila’s arrival, postponed SB 430, and adjourned after recording one additional favorable vote on SB 1036.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- as a former public school teacher, as a product. of Texas public schools.
- in the public school.
- public schools?
- Right now, the fact is, public schools have choices that parents don't have. independent school districts
- . school choice.
Keywords:
education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management