Preparing for the 89th Legislative Session

Now that the primary election cycle has ended, the Texas Legislature is turning its attention to tackling interim charges, the charges assigned by the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House for their respective chambers to study between legislative sessions. And while the start of the 89th Texas Legislature still feels months away, now is the time to be engaged on the policy making that will happen this spring.

Consider some key approaching dates. As Texas schools kick off the first day of the 2024-2025 school year, the start of the next legislative session will be just five months away. Two months prior to that, legislators and legislators-elect will begin filing bills to be considered during the session. To be prepared for these deadlines, work is already underway.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 (1st day)

Friday, March 14, 2025 (60th day)

Monday, June 2, 2025 (140th day)

First day to file bills

89th Legislature convenes

Deadline for bill filing Sine

Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Phelan released their respective interim charges in the spring and interim hearings to study the charges are in progress in both chambers. The number of special sessions focused on education issues led to a lighter load of education charges, but issues like instructional materials, readiness in reading and math, school choice, and state assessments continue to get attention this interim.

There is one issue on the House’s interim agenda that is particularly pertinent to TASPA and the first formal interim discussion on the topic is quickly approaching. The House Public Education Committee will meet at 9 am on August 13th to consider invited and public testimony on a charge related to teacher certification.

Many bills pertaining to the educator pipeline were considered between the regular and special sessions, but no major policies ultimately passed. Speaker Phelan has asked the House Committee on Public Education to continue the discussion during the interim, this time specific to teacher certification. The charge specifically asks for recommendations from the committee on increasing opportunities for uncertified teachers to become certified while strengthening parental rights and notifications.

As the available workforce has declined, school districts have more and more had to turn to creative solutions for filling classrooms, and statewide data has shown an increase in the hiring of teachers who are not certified by the State Board for Certification (SBEC). Previous bills have surfaced to support certification efforts for candidates, raise standards for certification in Texas, eliminate barriers to certification, and more. Simultaneously, the SBEC and TEA have successfully advanced certification reforms policies. All these moving parts set the stage for policymaking going forward.

Other charges of note to TASPA include a focus from both chambers on reading and math instruction, which could impact staffing patterns and hiring decisions in schools, and the ongoing implementation of HB 1605 pertaining to instructional materials, which will impact teacher contracts as they relate to lesson planning beginning this school year. Interim charges will also include continued discussions on school choice, assessment and accountability, and school property tax relief (in the chambers’ respective finance committees).

Between now and January, when the 89th Legislature officially begins, stands a general election during a presidential election year that will garner a lot of attention both nationally and in Texas. However, with most seats in the Texas Legislature won during the primary election cycle (because Texas House and Senate seats largely favor one party and are not competitive in November), the actors in the next legislative session are generally known and they are at work setting the stage for the 89th Legislature. Now is the time for advocates to be engaged as well.

Committee On Public Education Interim Charges

1. Monitoring: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 88th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:

• HB 1605, 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 2209, relating to establishing the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program and creating an allotment and outcomes bonus under the Foundation School Program to support the program; and

• SB 2124, relating to an advanced mathematics program for public school students in middle school.

2. Educational Opportunity: Consider issues and matters to increase educational opportunities in Texas to ensure that students and families have increased options to attend a high-quality school, regardless of circumstance. Evaluate the use of education savings accounts in other states and make recommendations for a Texas program, including suggestions on eligibility and prioritization of applicants.

3. Teacher Certifications: Examine the causes for and the impact to student outcomes of the increasing number of newly hired Texas teachers who are not certified by the State Board for Educator Certification. Make recommendations to enhance opportunities for uncertified teachers to become certified and strengthen parental rights and notifications.

4. Early Literacy and Numeracy Outcomes: Evaluate opportunities to improve students’ foundational early literacy and numeracy outcomes in Pre-Kindergarten through the third grade. Study best practices for identifying students requiring reading and math intervention and providing evidence-based intervention strategies. Recommend changes and evaluate investments to increase the number of students achieving reading and math proficiency by the end of third grade.

Senate Education Committee

Interim Charges

1. Reading and Math Readiness: Study current local, state, and national policies and programs that improve student achievement in reading and mathematics, with an emphasis on “early readiness” in grades preK-5. Make recommendations to ensure every student has a strong academic foundation in reading and math.

2. Testing Reform: Review the state’s current development and phase-in of the STAAR test redesign and ongoing innovative assessment reforms, including the Texas Through-Year Assessment Pilot (TTAP). Recommend ways to accelerate current testing improvement efforts and the development of a real-time testing program that meets the educational needs of Texas students.

3. COVID-19 Funding Oversight: Examine and report on COVID-19 how public schools spent federal funds since the beginning of the pandemic, including funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with a dual focus on demonstrated improved student outcomes and efficient use of taxpayer funds.

4. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education passed by the 88th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:

• measures ensuring public school safety;

• oversight of public school library procurement and content policies; and

• high-quality instructional materials and open-educational resources for public schools.

Providing More Benefits to School District Employees