Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1718 on educator preparation and certification by Senator Calatayud.
• strengthens recruitment and early retention, easing entry into the profession without compromising preparation
• funding of educational facilities, focusing on facility modeling, renovation, maintenance repairs, and site

Bills: S0564, S1062, S1340, S1646, S1718

Keywords: student volunteers, polling locations, election administration, community service, Florida statutes, speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, dyslexia, dyscalculia, education, screening, intervention, student support, educational facilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met with a quorum present and heard several education-related bills. The committee first considered CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would create a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, designate Speech and Debate Week, authorize a teacher endorsement, require FLVS to establish an institute for speech and debate, direct development of related coursework and credentials, and require annual district reporting. Supporters, including a parent and representatives of the Florida Debate Initiative and school groups, emphasized the academic and civic benefits of debate and the need for funding for travel and training. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and reported favorably SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, with testimony from an Orange County principal and others supporting a proposal to let educators bank professional learning hours, and SB 1646 on educational facilities, which revises how facility funding is calculated and prioritized, including safety and planning considerations. The committee then took up CS/SB 564 on student volunteers at polling locations. An amendment clarified that high school students who are registered or pre-registered to vote may volunteer at polling places and count the service toward graduation or postsecondary financial aid requirements. Testimony from a county supervisor of elections and civic groups supported the bill as a way to engage students in elections and expand volunteer opportunities, while clarifying it would not conflict with existing election funding rules. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1340 on coordinated screening and progress monitoring, which requires school districts to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and dyscalculia, place identified students on support plans, and use evidence-based interventions, with State Board of Education rulemaking to implement the process. The sponsor and a supporting parent group stressed early identification and intervention. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Laila Collins to the State Board of Education, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• on a Superfund site rather than allowing one to be permitted on a dump site.
• schools near dump sites.
• <01:18:34.800> in as a potentially contaminated site in as a potentially contaminated site
• dump sites.
• sites or superf<01:25:46.960> fund<01:25:47.280> sites<01:25:47.880> will<01:25

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• We must prepare the next generation to steward it, and SB 1062 helps us do exactly that.
• This bill allows candidates to access coursework at an educator preparation institute, all satisfying
• This bill allows candidates to access coursework at an educator preparation institute, all satisfying
• Thank you. ...to the real world, which has prepared me for my future.
• Well, the real estate commission, the dental board, had approved programs, well, thorough, prepared,

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Bills: HB3622

Keywords: HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting

Transcript Highlights:

• Palby was able to get preparation.
• <00:32:49.279> It preparing teachers in that space. It preparing teachers in that space.
• um work as part of their preparation um work as part of their preparation before<00:59:40.480>
• preparation, recruitment, and retention. preparation, recruitment, and retention.
• preparation programs across the state. preparation programs across the state.

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• what we see in general is that New Mexico students are leaving K-12 institutions not academically prepared
• The executive recommends an appropriation authority of $5 million for the teacher preparation affordability
• On the teacher preparation affordability program. Tell me how those two marry.
• Cadets and alumni consistently praise the rigor and the support and are prepared for service academies
• As we prepare to celebrate our 135th anniversary and 50 years of having female cadets, NMMI stands stronger

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not preparing them, and then they get out and they think they're going to make all this money with
• 66 public health offices in which... ...this state, and we've got 66 public health offices and WIC sites
• And now we're looking at funding equity and other things, preparing for the program to start.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• And now they had to focus on teacher preparation because we have to relearn things when we don't learn
• By strengthening teacher preparation and early assessment, Senate Bill 37 helps ensure students build
• First, we appreciate the bill's clear alignment of educator preparation programs with the science of
• Strengthening preparation and expectations for both pre-service and in-service educators is essential
• I also want to highlight that the educator preparation programs of New Mexico are fully committed to

Bills: SB29, SB37

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• for new schools, determine whether a new school is ready to open, review applications for grade and site
• <00:03:15.840> for<00:03:16.159> grade<00:03:16.480> and<00:03:16.800> site
• review applications for grade and site review applications for grade and site expansions,<00:03:
• The criteria and process the authorizer uses to approve applications for adding grades or sites, and
• applications for adding grades or sites. applications for adding grades or sites.

Bills: HF3487, HF3421

Keywords: anonymous reporting, school safety, education, crisis intervention, threat reporting, early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers

Transcript Highlights:

• process, and that is Prepare and Prosper and these sites that exist all across the state.
• process, and that is Prepare and Prosper and these sites that exist all across the state.
• Prepare and Prosper prepares 50% of the tax returns that VITA sites prepare, but they also are a statewide
• Prepare and Prosper prepares 50% of the tax returns that VITA sites prepare, but they also are a statewide
• Prepare and Prosper prepares 50% of the tax returns that VITA sites prepare, but they also are a statewide

Bills: HF2274, HF1932

Keywords: taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• We got approval from our accrediting body and CPE to start with two prison sites, Roeder and North Point
• We got approval from our accrediting body and CPE to start with two prison sites, Roeder and North Point
• We got approval from our accrediting body and CPE to start with two prison sites, Roeder and North Point
• We got approval from our accrediting body and CPE to start with two prison sites, Roeder and North Point
• <01:16:19.920> the do the same quality work, prepare the do the same quality work, prepare

Keywords: This meeting is taking place on location at the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Building Room 238 using on site equipment., 958, all

Summary: The interim Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met at Kentucky State University and heard a presentation from President Kofi Aapo and Vice President Michael Dorsy on the university’s role as an HBCU and its current priorities. They emphasized Kentucky State’s impact on Black student outcomes nationally, its focus on workforce development, civic leadership, innovation, and economic mobility, and its efforts to grow enrollment, expand dual-credit partnerships, and launch a prison education program. They also described House Bill 250’s role in prompting program review and the creation or expansion of market-aligned offerings, including manufacturing engineering, agricultural engineering, biological and agricultural engineering, social work, criminal justice, and expanded online programs through “Thoroughbred Global.” A major topic was Kentucky State’s move toward STEM and applied programs. President Aapo said the university is diversifying beyond liberal arts to meet workforce demand and cited plans for a PhD in agroecology, which he said would help farmers adapt to climate conditions and would be federally funded. He also discussed the nursing program as the fastest-growing on campus, partnerships with health systems that pay tuition and guarantee jobs, and the need for a new nursing facility. He said the current nursing space is inadequate and that a new building could double or triple enrollment in the program. He also described a mobile health initiative intended to bring preventive care and health education to underserved areas of the state. Members asked questions about the nursing building, STEM strategy, teacher preparation, dual credit, prison education, and student readiness. Senator Bledsoe asked about the shift toward STEM, and Aapo said the strategy is based on student demand and data from House Bill 250. Senator Berg requested a list of dual-credit partners and encouraged long-term tracking of prison education participants to study outcomes such as recidivism; Aapo said the university has not yet begun that research but intends to. Senator Tidner asked about remedial needs, and Aapo said KSU found more than 100 students with zero GPAs when he arrived and is using co-requisite support and tutoring to address English and math deficiencies. Representative Brown and others highlighted the historical and ongoing value of HBCUs, and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• allows the society to contract with others for maintenance of our monuments and our other historical sites
• allows the society to contract with others for maintenance of our monuments and our other historical sites
• So, I think the agencies are better prepared to handle this than people may want to say.
• And in this bill, it requires that agencies both prepare preliminary and final cost-benefit analyses,
• requires that agencies both prepare requires that agencies both prepare preliminary<01:04:34.640

Bills: SF856, HF4482, HF3672, HF1234, HF4591, HF3554, HF936

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, HF4482, Minnesota Historical Society, state historic sites, historic site management, historic preservation, county historical society, local historical society, municipality, county government, admission fees, grants-in-aid, site operations, site maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:25.879> to they're well trained and prepared to they're well trained and prepared to
• where employers develop and prepare where employers develop and prepare their<00:31:13.799> future
• Susie Kbec, who couldn't be here today because she's preparing future educators this afternoon.
• Laura Molsen, and I'm here from the Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Preparation.
• recruitment grants and preparation recruitment grants and preparation programs<01:41:18.040>

Bills: HF846, HF1538, HF1959

Keywords: education, special education, apprenticeship, funding, grants, intermediate school districts, teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district

Keywords: The Alabama Channel - Open Media Network, https://alabamachannel.ompnetwork.org/api-cache/site/1832/sessions?category[]=979, 2026-07-05T06:55:33+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 920, all, 2.2.43, 2.1.47

Keywords: The Alabama Channel - Open Media Network, https://alabamachannel.ompnetwork.org/api-cache/site/1832/sessions?category[]=979, 2026-07-05T06:55:33+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 920, all, 2.2.43, 2.1.47

Keywords: The Alabama Channel - Open Media Network, https://alabamachannel.ompnetwork.org/api-cache/site/1832/sessions?category[]=979, 2026-07-05T06:55:32+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 920, all, 2.2.43, 2.1.47

Keywords: The Alabama Channel - Open Media Network, https://alabamachannel.ompnetwork.org/api-cache/site/1832/sessions?category[]=986, 2026-07-06T15:05:59+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 924, joint, all, 2.2.44, 2.1.47

Keywords: The Alabama Channel - Open Media Network, https://alabamachannel.ompnetwork.org/api-cache/site/1832/sessions?category[]=986, 2026-07-06T15:05:59+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 924, joint, all, 2.2.44, 2.1.47

Keywords: The Alabama Channel - Open Media Network, https://alabamachannel.ompnetwork.org/api-cache/site/1832/sessions?category[]=986, 2026-07-06T15:05:59+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 924, joint, all, 2.2.44, 2.1.47

Keywords: The Alabama Channel - Open Media Network, https://alabamachannel.ompnetwork.org/api-cache/site/1832/sessions?category[]=986, 2026-07-06T15:05:59+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 924, joint, all, 2.2.44, 2.1.47