Education

Higher Education Funding

HB 8 (VanDeaver) Relating to public higher education, including the public junior college state finance program

The bill’s provisions include establishing the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer program, revising the public community and junior college funding formulas, allowing for the establishment of an institutional collaboration center, transferring the administration of the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program, expanding eligibility for institutions participating in Texas First programs, establishing the Opportunity High School Diploma program, and adding certain requirements for early college high school programs
Certain sections of the act apply beginning with the 2023-24 school year
HB 8 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk

HB 1595 (Bonnen) Relating to the administration and investment of, and distribution and use of money from, certain constitutional and statutory funds to support general academic teaching institutions in achieving national prominence as major research universities and driving the state economy

The bill would redesignate the National Research University Fund as the Texas University Fund and amend the administration and investment, eligibility criteria, and distribution methodology of the fund to eligible institutions
The bill also would increase the maximum amount of money that may be distributed from the fund in a fiscal year
HB 1595 went to conference for the House and Senate to work on the differences, the conference committee report (CCR) was adopted and the bill will now head to the Governor’s desk

HJR 3 (Bonnen) Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

The proposed amendment would redesignate the National Research University Fund as the Texas University Fund
The proposed amendment would appropriate from the Economic Stabilization Fund to the Comptroller, for deposit to the credit of the Texas University Fund, equal to the interest, dividends, and investment earnings attributable to the Economic Stabilization Fund for the preceding fiscal year
This amount could not exceed $100.0 million in fiscal 2024, or an amount adjusted for the increase in the general price level, not to exceed two percent, thereafter
The proposed amendment would be submitted to voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023
HJR 3 went to conference for the House and Senate to work on the differences, the conference committee report (CCR) was adopted and the bill will now head to the Governor’s desk

DEI/Tenure in Higher Education

HB 1 The House and Senate both added rider language to the appropriations bill that identified a prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

House version – Sec. 61. Prohibition on Unconstitutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs or Practices. No funds appropriated by this Act may be expended by an entity listed in this article (including any component, constituent unit, supported program, or grant recipient) for the design, implementation, or administration of diversity, equity, & inclusion practices or programs that do not comply with Sections 3 and 3a, Article I, Texas Constitution. This prohibition includes, without limitation, the hiring and supervision of employees, mandatory or recommended training, or programmed activities.
Sec. 59. Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices. It is the intent of the Legislature that no funds appropriated by this Act may be expended for diversity, equity, & inclusion practices or similar programs, including personnel, training or activities, on state supported college campuses, state supported university campuses or those who receive state funding, notwithstanding state and federal law.
The final language that made it into the Enrolled version of the budget: Sec. 59. Prohibition on Unconstitutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs or Practices. No funds appropriated by this Act may be expended by an entity listed in this article (including any component, constituent unit, supported program, or grant recipient) for the design, implementation, or administration of diversity, equity, & inclusion practices or programs that do not comply with Sections 3 and 3a, Article I, Texas Constitution. This prohibition includes, without limitation, the hiring and supervision of employees, mandatory or recommended training, or programmed activities.

SB 17 (Creighton) Relating to the purpose of public institutions of higher education and the powers and duties of the governing boards of those institutions

DEI training definition clarified, biennial study conducted by THECB
Prohibits public institutions of higher education from establishing or maintaining DEI offices, officers, employees, or contractors that perform the duties of a DEI office. The bill also prohibits requiring related training
The bill did go to conference for the House and Senate to work on the differences, the conference committee report (CCR) was adopted and the bill will now head to the Governor’s desk

SB 18 (Creighton) Relating to the tenure and employment of faculty members at certain public institutions of higher education

Seeks to restrict the granting of tenure to a public institution of higher education’s governing board on the recommendation of the institution’s chief executive officer and the university system’s chancellor, if applicable, and to provide for the adoption of policies and procedures by each governing board regarding tenure.
The bill did go to conference for the House and Senate to work on the differences, the conference committee report (CCR) was adopted and the bill will now head to the Governor’s desk

Finance/Voucher/School Choice

HB 100 (King) Relating to public education and public school finance, including the rights, certification, and compensation of public school educators, contributions by a public school to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and an education savings account program for certain children

As the bill came out of House, a number of school finance provisions included:
The basic allotment was increased $6,250 in FY 24 and $6,300 in FY 25
New minimum salary schedule, salary transition allotment and requirement to spend TRS savings on salary;
Requirement to spend 50% of BA increase and TRS savings from higher minimum salary schedule on salary increases for teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians;
Formula transition grant extension to FY 2029;
New math pathways allotment
Transportation allotment increased to $1.54 per mile (special ed transportation at $1.28 in committee substitute);
Special program allotments, plus IFA and EDA moved to enrollment in FY 25;
Small increase in comp ed allotment in FY 25;
Charter school small school allotment reduction;
Inflation factor added to committee substitute that is based on 10-year average, begins next biennium;
Special Education Committee recommendations (evaluation allotment in FY 24 and intensity-based funding in FY 25);
New fine arts allotment in committee substitute;
$3 per enrolled student textbook safety allotment in FY 25;
6th golden penny without VATR for those districts that do not yet have it; and
Removes proration of fast growth allotment.
Increases the small and midsized multipliers, excludes full time virtual students from that calculation, and adds language reducing the amount of increase that charter schools would see from that increase to the small and midsized allotment (as amended on floor);
Early payment recapture credit of 4% (as amended on floor);
Moves special education funding to enrollment(as amended on floor);
As the bill came out of Senate as substituted, a number of school finance provisions were amended including the addition of an ESA provisions from SB 8
a $50 increase in the basic allotment,
a 35% increase in the small / midsized allotment,
increases in the minimum salary schedule,
increases to salaries under the teacher incentive allotment,
a requirement to use 50% of increased funding under Chapter 48 (except for increases to school safety funding and special education funding) on teacher pay raises,
a revised special education funding formula including an allotment of $500 per initial evaluation and an extension of the current Special Education Service Grants that were set to expire,
a small increase to the compensatory education allotment,
an expansion of the early childhood allotment, and
increased facilities funding for charter school
Ultimately the bill died in conference committee

SB 9 (Creighton) Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program

According to the bill analysis, “Additionally, as the Teacher Vacancy Task Force notes in its Final February 2023 Report, teacher compensation has not kept pace with inflation, even as teacher workloads have increased significantly. In order to achieve the educational outcomes students deserve, more must be done to not only support current teachers but also increase the supply and effectiveness of future teachers.”
SB 9 attempted to addresses reforms to improve the recruitment, retention, and preparation of Texas teachers
Technically, the bill as passed out of the Senate would have done the following:
Provides a one-time salary increase for classroom teachers in 2023-24 only:
$2,000 for districts over 20,000 students;
$6,000 for districts under 20,000 students
Eliminates sanctions for resignations after penalty-free date under certain circumstances;
Requires duty calendar for teachers prior to start of school, with extra duty specified;
Creates a new TIA designation, increases TIA salaries, adds technical assistance grants;
Creates a grant program to assist with TRS costs related to hiring retired teachers;
Provides state liability insurance for teachers;
Directs TEA to develop training for strategic compensation;
Includes a teacher time study;
Creates a teacher residency partnership program;
Expands pre-k eligibility to classroom teachers; and
Allows teachers to more easily request that students be removed from class for discipline reasons and requires “return to class” plans for these students
Before the bill died the House added multiple bills (HB 100, HB 1662, HB 4358) and additional language to it such as increases in comp ed weight, minimum wage for bus drivers, and $1k in the basic allotment
SB 9 passed out of the Senate but ultimately died by procedural action on the House floor

SB 8 (Creighton) Relating to public education, including parental rights and public school responsibilities regarding instructional materials and the establishment of an education savings account program

The bill would require a board of trustees at a school district to develop a parental engagement policy and a policy that would provide for at least two opportunities for in-person parent teacher conferences each school year
The bill would establish the education savings account program. The program fund would be an account in the General Revenue Fund
The total annual payments to each participating child’s account would be $8,000
A school district with student enrollment of less than 20,000 would be entitled to receive $10,000 for the first five school years a child residing in the district participates in the program
The bill would allow the Comptroller to deduct an amount not to exceed three percent of the total amount of money appropriated for the ESA to cover the cost of administering the program
The bill would establish additional rights for parents including to select educational setting and request instructional materials review
The bill would address mental, emotional health or well-being procedures
The bill would restrict instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity
SB 8 passed the Senate Chamber and died in House Committee

SB 1474 (Bettencourt) Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach or provide services related to special education.

This bill was the primary vehicle to adopt recommendations (as listed in the bill analysis) from the Texas Commission on Special Education
SB 1474 passed the Senate Chamber and died in House Committee
HB 3781 (Jetton) also died and sought to establish an ESA for certain children with disabilities
SB 1474 (Bettencourt) also died and sought to establish an ESA for certain children with disabilities

SB 418 ( Paxton) Relating to the transfer of students between public schools

The proposed legislation permits students to transfer to any public school that has student capacity available and also prohibits public school districts from charging these students tuition
School districts would be required to establish capacity at each school and grade level in the district and collect data on student transfers and denials. School districts would be required to report the data to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the agency would be required to post a report summarizing the transfer data. The Commissioner would be required to adopt rules necessary to implement an admissions lottery and waitlist for school districts that would receive more applications than they would have capacity for
The bill passed out of the Senate chamber died in House Committee

Virtual

HB 681 (Bell, Keith)Relating to the provision of virtual education in public schools and to certain waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education to the method of calculating average daily attendance in an emergency or crisis for purposes of preserving school district funding entitlements under the Foundation School Program during that emergency or crisis; authorizing a fee

Bill would remove the restriction for school districts and charter schools to calculate virtual and remote learning enrollment only for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years

Did not pass; Point of order sustained 5/26

SB 1861 (Bettencourt) Relating to the provision of virtual education in public schools and to certain waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education to the method of calculating average daily attendance in an emergency or crisis for purposes of preserving school district funding entitlements under the Foundation School Program during that emergency or crisis; authorizing a fee

Repeals Education Code provisions relating to the state virtual school network
The bill amends the Education Code to set out provisions authorizing public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to deliver instruction through virtual courses and establish full-time hybrid campuses and full-time virtual campuses to deliver instruction in person and through virtual courses
“whole campus virtual instruction provider” defined as a private or third-party service that provides oversight and management of the virtual instruction services
Authorizes a district or charter school to deliver instruction through virtual courses
The bill also authorizes the following entities to deliver instruction through virtual courses in the same manner provided for a district or open-enrollment charter school under the bill’s provisions:
a consortium of districts or charter schools;
a public institution of higher education;
or a regional education service center.
The bill prohibits a student enrolled in kindergarten through third grade from enrolling in a virtual course
The bill passed out of the Senate chamber and killed by procedural action in the House

Education Savings Account Bills referred to or left pending in originating committee

HB 3781 (Jetton) Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities
HB 4339 (Frank) Relating to the establishment of the Education Savings Account Program to allow certain disadvantaged children and their siblings to use public money to pursue educational alternatives to public schools.
HB 4340 (Frank) Relating to the establishment of the Education Savings Account Program to allow certain children to use public money to pursue educational alternatives to public schools and an insurance premium tax credit
HB 5112 (Schatzline) Relating to the establishment of an education savings account program
HB 5261 (Frank) Relating to public education, including parental rights and public school responsibilities regarding instructional materials and the establishment of an education savings account program
HB 5267 (Frank) Relating to the establishment of the Education Savings Account Program to allow certain children to use public money to pursue educational alternatives to public schools and an insurance premium tax credit
SB 2354 (Bettencourt) Relating to the establishment of the Education Savings Account Program to allow certain disadvantaged children and their siblings to use public money to pursue educational alternatives to public schools
SB 2483 (Paxton) Relating to the establishment of an Education Savings Account program

Charters

HB 1707 (Klick) Relating to the applicability of certain laws to open-enrollment charter schools

Bill would require a political subdivision to consider an open-enrollment charter school as a school district for certain purposes related to zoning, permitting, business licensing, utility services, signage, subdivision regulation, property development projects, land development standards, requirements for posting bonds or securities, contract requirements, and fees or other assessments

Under the bill, a political subdivision could not take any action that prohibited a charter school from operating a public school campus, educational support facility, athletic facility, or administrative office within the political subdivision’s jurisdiction or on any specific property located within the jurisdiction that the political subdivision could not take against a school district
Bill would include charter schools in provisions of the Local Government Code pertaining to school district land development standards agreements
HB 1701 passed both chambers and is heading to the Governor’s desk

School Safety

HB 3 (Burrows) Relating to measures for ensuring public school safety, including the development and implementation of purchases relating to and funding for public school safety and security requirements and the provision of safety-related resources

The bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide an allotment to each school that equals the amount spent by employees on travel and training for certain mental health training from funds appropriated for the purpose
The bill would require school district boards to determine the appropriate number of armed security officers for each campus; ensuring at least one armed security officer at each school campus, with certain exceptions
Any proceeds from bonds would be used by certain school districts to come into compliance with safety standards before other bond proceeds could be spent
Under the provisions on the bill, a school district would be entitled to $15,000 per campus and $10 per student in average daily attendance plus $1 per student in average daily attendance for every $50 basic allotment increase
The Commissioner may assign a conservator for noncompliance with school safety and security requirements
HB 3 went to conference for the House and Senate to work on the differences, the conference committee report (CCR) was adopted and the bill will now head to the Governor’s desk

Instructional Materials

HB 1605 (Buckley) Relating to instructional material and technology, the adoption of essential knowledge and skills for certain public school foundation curriculum subjects, and the extension of additional state aid to school districts for the provision of certain instructional materials; authorizing a fee.

HB 1 has appropriated $500 million to implement curriculum related to this bill
Certain sections of this Act are applied as early as the 2023-24 school year
The bill is 57 pages and amends portions of the education code to:
Requires the Board of Trustees of each district to limit redundant requests for information and written reports a classroom teacher is required to prepare
An educator preparation program may not include instruction on three-cueing
Addresses planning and non-instructional duties of teachers
Provides immunity from disciplinary proceedings for classroom teachers
Requires the Board of Trustees of each district to establish a process by which an individual can request instructional material review and the SBOE may adopt rules to implement this section
Instructional materials definition is broadened to include material used by student, teacher or principal and includes a lesson plan, answer key, grading rubric, or unit plan
Certain funds allotted to purchase instructional material that contains obscene or harmful content or would otherwise cause the school district to which the funds were allotted to be unable to submit the certification required under a certain section
The TEA shall develop and maintain a program to assist educator preparation programs
Each school district shall annually report to the TEA information regarding instructional materials used including the cost of each material
The bill would amend procedures and criteria for the review and adoption of instructional materials, granting the State Board of Education (SBOE) the authority to determine the review and revision cycle for instructional materials. The bill would also require school boards to establish a process for parents to request a review of instructional materials and would authorize parents to require a quality review of instructional materials. The bill would limit the number of reviews for each teacher for a specific subject or grade level to once per school year. If requested by a school district, the bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to assist in evaluating, adopting, or using instructional materials.
The bill would require the Commissioner to ensure open education resource (OER) instructional materials would be available for use by schools for free use, reuse, modification and sharing; this bill would also prohibit the Commissioner from requiring the use of OER.
The bill would establish additional state aid under the Foundation School Program (FSP) for districts that purchase SBOE approved materials that could be placed in a parent portal and to purchase OER if the district were to adopt an OER transition plan.
This analysis assumes that implementation of all provisions of the bill would require TEA to staff an additional 64.0 full time equivalent (FTE) positions in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 at a cost of $7.7 million annually, including salaries, benefits, and other operating expenses. The agency assumes an additional 10 education specialist positions would be required that could be absorbed by ESSER funded positions in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
The agency assumes that the bill would require the SBOE, in adopting essential knowledge and skills for English language arts, to specify a list of required vocabulary and at least one literary work to be taught in each grade level. The agency assumes that the SBOE would meet with subject matter experts and groups of educators to make recommendations for the required lists. It is anticipated that four groups of 79 educators would be necessary to develop the English lists and an additional four groups for the Spanish lists and that the groups would need to meet in person at least three times to develop recommendations.
The bill would establish new requirements under TEC 31.022 for a SBOE approved list and would eliminate the current criterium in TEC 31.023(a) that requires instructional materials to contain at least 50 percent of the TEKS in teacher and student versions to be included. The agency assumes costs would be incurred for this section to review instructional materials using the process established by TEA and approved by the SBOE. It is assumed reviews of materials will be conducted for a specific grade band and subject area. Included grade bands are K-2, 3-5, 6-9 and 9-12.
Subjects included are Reading Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and PreK. Additionally, reviews would be completed for materials in Spanish across all foundational subjects, integrated products and phonics products across the K5 grade band. This would total 26 distinct types of reviews of products. In fiscal year 2024, it is assumed K8 RLA, K3 phonics, and K5 Science would be reviewed in English and Spanish for a total of $36,914,513. In fiscal year 2025, it is assumed the review process would expand to all math grades for a total of $22,539,992. In fiscal year 2026, it is assumed that reviews in previously reviewed areas would continue, and new reviews would be added for PreK and secondary RLA for a total of $22,539,992. In fiscal year 2027, it is assumed reviews would be added for Social Studies for a total of $20,896,485, and finally in fiscal year 2028, it assumes PreK reviews would be completed for a total of $10,448,243.
The bill would permit the Commissioner to purchase a license authorizing the use of any open education resource (OER) instructional materials, acquire ownership in OERs, develop, adopt or use any combination to acquire OER instructional materials. To administer this section, TEA would require funding for the development of Open Education Resource Instructional Material.
The bill would add additional state aid under the Foundation School Program (FSP), Additional State Aid for State Approved Instructional Materials, which would provide additional state aid to each district of a minimum of $40, or a greater amount provided by appropriation, for each student enrolled in the district for costs incurred by the district to procure instructional materials that would have been approved under previous sections of the bill.
HB 1605 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk

Parental Rights/Curriculum

HB 900 (Patterson) Relating to the regulation of library materials sold to or included in public school libraries

Amends current law relating to the regulation of library materials sold to or included in public school libraries
The Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources Act, or READER Act, provides procedures for rating school library materials to identify content that is sexually relevant or sexually explicit, as well as establishes state standards for school libraries
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission, with approval by majority vote of the State Board of Education, shall adopt standards for school library collection development that a school district shall adhere to in developing or implementing the district’s library collection development policies
Requires library material vendors to label materials sold to schools as “sexually explicit” or sexually relevant,” retroactively to include all materials sold, and submit lists to the Texas Education Agency of materials sold to school libraries
The Commissioner of TEA may adopt rules as necessary to administer the chapter
The changes in the law made by the Act apply beginning with the 2023-24 school year; library materials vendors have until April 2024 to establish book ratings
HB 900 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk

HB 890 (Bell) Relating to parental rights and public school responsibilities regarding instructional materials

As introduced primarily focused on parental rights and procedures for school districts to handle complaints
Included a provision that prohibits instruction in gender identity for students in preK through 12th grade
Codified the rights of parents to review instructional materials for foundation subjects (this language from Sec. 26.0061 did get duplicated in HB 1605 as finally passed) & TEA to develop rules for instructional material reviews (similar in HB 1605)
As substituted the bill also contained language from SB 418 on transfer of students
As substituted the bill also contained language from SB 8 regarding the “right to select educational settings”
As substituted the bill also contained language from SB 8 regarding mental, emotional health or well-being procedures
As substituted the bill also contained language from SB 8 restricting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity
HB 890 passed out of the Senate and died in the House

Programs

SB 2124 (Creighton) Relating to an advanced mathematics program for public school students in middle school

- Ensure students are prepared to take Algebra I in 8th grade
- Establishes automatic enrollment in 6th grade advanced math courses for fifth grade students who meet specific achievement criteria in mathematics, with a goal to increase participation in advanced math courses and to accelerate students’ achievement in high school advanced math
- Parents may opt students out of advanced courses
- The Commissioner is authorized to adopt rules to implement the program
- As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, each district shall develop the program
SB 2124 was signed by the Governor and is now effective

Digital Media

HB 18 Relating to the protection of minors from harmful, deceptive, or unfair trade practices in connection with the use of certain digital services and electronic devices, including the use and transfer of electronic devices to students by a public school

The bill would require digital service providers to register the age of all users. The bill establishes rules for digital service providers regarding their duties relating to known minors, including the duty to prevent harm, create parental tools, and prevent certain targeted advertising
The bill would entitle verified parents of known minors using digital services to supervise and manage their minor’s use of, and personal identifying information collected by, the digital service provider
Article 3 of the bill would create rules regarding the standards for electronic devices and software applications used by school districts
Article 4 of the bill would direct a joint committee of the Legislature to conduct a study on the effects of media on minors
HB 18 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk

Assessment/Accountability

HB 1416 (Bell) Relating to accelerated instruction provided to public school students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments

Modifies the accelerated instruction requirements of HB 4545 from the 87th legislative session
Eliminates accelerated learning committees
Requires Accelerated Education Plan only for students who were not successful on STAAR for two consecutive years in the same subject
Requires AI in all STAAR tested subjects; prioritizes reading and math if a student fails more than 2 STAAR tests
Clarifies that students are not subject to the AI requirements if they took an alternative exam to meet graduation requirements instead of STAAR (i.e. SAT/ACT, AP exams)
Clarifies parent opt-out; includes BOY option
Requires parent notification during the parent-teacher conference if a child is performing below grade level on STAAR
Allows virtual tutoring
Allows districts to use a tutoring service provider that is not on TEA’s approved provider list if the district demonstrates that the provider demonstrates measurable improvement in student outcomes
Lowers minimum number of supplemental hours required from 30 to 15
Increases student to teacher ratio from 3:1 to 4:1

HB 1416 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk

HB 4402 (Bell) Relating to the administration of certain assessment instruments, the accountability rating system for assessing campus and district performance, public school career and technology education programs, and an extracurricular and cocurricular allotment under the Foundation School Program

HB 4402 passed out of the House but died in Senate Committee

Chaplains

SB 763 (Middleton) Relating to allowing school districts to employ chaplains to perform the duties of school counselors

As finally passed the bill has permissive language, allows ability to for someone to volunteer or be hired, does not define chaplain
The Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year
Each board/governing body shall take a record vote not later than six months after the effective date of this Act on whether to adopt a policy authorizing the ability to hire or accept as a volunteer a chaplain.
The bill did go to conference for the House and Senate to work on the differences, the conference committee report (CCR) was adopted and the bill will now head to the Governor’s desk

Prayer

SB 1396 (Middleton) Relating to a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools

Allows a vote by the board/governing body to adopt a policy requiring every campus to provide students or employees with an “opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text on each school day.”

The bill was passed out of the Senate as amended and was left in House committee

Documents Displayed in Classroom and in District

SB 164 (Campbell) Relating to the display of the national motto and the founding documents of the United States in public schools and the inclusion of an elective course on the founding principles of the United States in the curriculum for public high school students

Requires display of the National Motto and Historically SIgnificant Documents including: the United States Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and Essays 10 and 57 of the Federalists Papers.

Requires an elective course on founding Principles of the United States

The bill was passed out of the House and left in House committee

SB 1515 (King) Relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools

The bill analysis states that the bill, “seeks to remind students all across Texas of the importance of a fundamental foundation of American and Texas law by providing for the display of the Ten Commandments in public elementary and secondary schools.”

The bill required a public elementary or secondary school to display in each classroom a poster at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall that displays a specific version of the Ten Commandments as well as a size and typeface that is legible to a person from anywhere in the classroom

The bill was passed out of the Senate chamber but died on the House Calendar

SB 1721 (Paxton) Relating to the display of the national motto and historically significant documents to the founding of the United States in public schools and institutions of higher education

Requires display of the National Motto and Historically SIgnificant Documents including: the United States Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Ten Commandments

The bill was left in Senate committee

Other

HB 1926 (Hull) Relating to the expiration date and funding of the supplemental special education services program

Bill would repeal the expiration date of the Supplemental Special Education Services program
HB 1926 passed both chambers and is heading to the Governor’s desk

HB 2495 (Price) Relating to the requirements to obtain or renew an athletic trainer license

Bill amends current law relating to the requirements to obtain or renew an athletic trainer license
HB 2495 passed both chambers and is heading to the Governor’s desk

HB 3928 (Toth) Relating to dyslexia evaluations and services for public school students, the provision of services for students with dyslexia and related disorders, and certain parental notice regarding the rights of parents of public school students with disabilities

Bill would require the board of trustees of each school district to adopt a grievance procedure under which the board would be required to abide by a parent’s due process rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and address each complaint that the board received concerning a violation of a right related to the screening and intervention services for dyslexia or a related disorder; or the school district’s implementation of the Texas Dyslexia Handbook, as published by the TEA
Bill would require a school district to request consent from the parent of a student enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 for a full individual and initial evaluation to evaluate the student for dyslexia or a related disorder if the district suspected that the student had dyslexia or a related disorder; identified the student as at risk for reading certain difficulties; or removed the student from the student’s assigned campus and the student was exhibiting academic difficulties in reading, spelling, or written expression or complex conditions or behaviors that could result from an undiagnosed learning disability
The bill would include certain students with dyslexia or a related disorder as eligible for a school’s special education program
By September 1, 2023, TEA would have to provide additional training materials to school districts regarding the evaluation and identification of students with dyslexia or a related disorder in accordance with the bill
Bill would apply beginning with the 2023-24 school year
HB 3928 passed both chambers and is heading to the Governor’s desk