Video & Transcript Research : 'student 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:
  • Student meals, like I said, this is the funding source for, if we're at 225%.
Bills: HB1540
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're looking to flex and be able to use resources to maximize what we're able to provide for our students
  • I also want to applaud our legislature for working to provide families choices as it pertains to their
  • education. families' choices as it pertains to their child's education.
  • .. ...point out that the state department of education is not opposing this bill, and that when a student
  • The ability for students to make speech using these resources is protected by the Constitution and the
Bills: HB332, HB166, SB336, HB447, HB244
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Common Education Feb 11th, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Common Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 4274 deals with military students and military school choice.
  • If you are a virtual student, obviously, you are learning on a computer, and so we're not going to limit
  • However, we did put language in there for parental choice options to opt out.
  • So, students can opt out, but districts can't opt out, correct? Thank you for the question.
  • were left for minutes told to calm down and sent back to the classroom, at which time the student just
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • So putting a student out in the hall, is that consistent with that student out of class? Yeah.
  • Our educators want to ensure all students learn, all students.
  • Sometimes a student may threaten the safety of that teacher or other students.
  • A student uses profanity loudly at a teacher and other students.
  • Educators want all students to learn, all students. And they also want safe classrooms.
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.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 28th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, we see our students in here, your students in here.
  • And the passing of SB 420 strips them of that freedom of choice and limits both students’ and teachers
  • And overall...” “...of that freedom of choice and limits both students’ and teachers’ creative liberty
  • When you first look at this bill, you can think when Black students, Hispanic students, Native Indian
  • When you first look at this bill, you can think when Black students, Hispanic students, Native Indian
Bills: S0124, S0206, S0420
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.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our educators want to end all students learn. All students.
  • Sometimes a student may threaten the safety of that teacher or other students.
  • A student uses profanity loudly at a teacher and other students.
  • Educators want all students to learn, all students. also want safe classrooms.
  • plan for that student.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Shouldn't you stick with that choice?
  • Dealer's choice. All right. House Bill 4146. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • Probably if there was more, more students would take advantage of it. Okay.
  • sign away the Establishment Clause rights of students, are we then exposing our students to potential
  • Students have always been able to pray and to study their Bibles.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • our students are taught.
  • Senate Bill 12 expand school choice by allowing eligible students to transfer to another district. without
  • Indeed, it will harm all students.
  • These restrictions threaten how well educators can educate and support. students and how well students
  • The student wins and district wins.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Taxation Feb 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is the parental choice tax credit statute, so it does not apply to public school students who are
  • States with school choice programs.
  • Choice programs.
  • opportunity to participate in that school choice part of it.
  • I think the students in those schools will test really well.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Feb 10th, 2026

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • I see our students over here.
  • I see our students over here.
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.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Mar 27th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Six southern states use ranked-choice voting.
  • If there is a runoff election, then that ranked-choice voting ballot is opened, and their choice—the
  • ranked-choice voting's fault.
  • These are not ranked-choice voting problems.
  • Who wants to ban ranked choice?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill relates to Holocaust education and training provided to students enrolled. ...at public schools
  • Members, the bill relates to the transfer of certain public school students who are children of peace
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • That's $36,000 per student.
  • A student used AI to generate nude photos of another student, a 14-year-old female.
  • This guarantees student choice and ensures that participation is completely voluntary.
  • This guarantees student choice and ensures that participation is completely voluntary.
  • This guarantees student choice and ensures that participation is completely voluntary.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This guarantees student choice and ensures that participation is completely voluntary.
  • I think the bill should apply to student victims by another student because these kids suffered too.
  • to another school, our transportation, losing friends, and And the student victim of another student
  • So, I would urge you to consider student. victims of other students also. Thank you very much.
  • students also face internal threats related to education. and student misconduct.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Jan 20th, 2026

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 1036 addresses the shortage of school counselors to enable student success.
  • We know that one of the largest drivers in student absenteeism is dental issues.
  • So you said one-third of the students, I mean, only one-third of the students basically pass the algebra
  • If we change the program, students basically pass the algebra exam.
  • prohibits schools from imposing participation fees on students that exceed those of their enrolled students
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.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 10th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • is currently no requirement for consistent publicly available guidance that clearly explains how students
  • is currently no requirement for consistent publicly available guidance that clearly explains how students
  • That lack of guardrails makes these kiosks the tool of choice for scammers.
  • to be charged to any student who is not enrolled.
  • to be charged to any student who is not enrolled.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Feb 3rd, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • participation fees on students that exceed those of their enrolled students, restricts participation
  • These pernicious foreign agents are disguised as student support groups.
  • All right, I want to be a little more clear on the intent about the foreign students.
  • I want to be a little more clear on the intent about the foreign students.
  • Could you be considered promoting that group and be subject to punishment as a student?
Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills. Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy. The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Education 2ND REVISED Mar 3rd, 2026 at 10:00 am

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • He has an amazing group of students who are our teacher candidates from UCO.
  • And with so many students, I graduated in '96. Was that your first or second?
  • So please keep your prayers up for our schools and especially the 22 students who Are stable currently
  • Students, can you tell us about Darnaby in a musical way?
  • And yes, student safety is a top concern of mine.