Advocacy Blog

Most public education action this week in the Senate occurred behind the scenes as it appears education committee leaders are negotiating key school finance provisions.

The Legislature continues its attack on payroll deduction, the future of the “Texas Two-Step” is uncertain, and the House looks to overhaul Texas’ testing and accountability system.

As Monday deadline looms to report bills out, the committee also heard bills that would criminalize educators who assist in “social transitioning” of a student as well as give parents access to student library records.

The key change? Teachers will quickly receive data on student performance, making it actionable.

School finance, including teacher pay raises, languishes in the Senate as Gov. Greg Abbott signs vouchers into law.

Next week is the last week a House bill can be heard in committee and still have a chance of making it to the House floor.

The Senate moved bills on school safety, personal financial literacy, and payroll deduction of membership dues.

Contact your state senator to push for action on HB 2. Plus: Make a plan to vote in Saturday’s local elections, where school matters might be on your ballot.

The all-night committee hearing also produced testy exchanges over bills dealing with controversial social issues.

This week in the Senate, committees heard bills dealing with student rights, Holocaust education, and educator misconduct, along with a vague electioneering bill.