Less Than 30 Days...

Today marks a crucial point in the 84th Legislative Session – the Legislature now has less than thirty days to enact legislation to improve our public schools. We are excited about the progress on the following transformational legislation:

 

Last Tuesday, State Representative Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, presented the A-F School Ratings bill to provide an easily understood indicator of how Texas public schools are performing. The House Public Education Committee passed a proposal with A-F school ratings via a bipartisan vote.

 

The Local Control School District bill, House Bill 1798, by State Representative Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, provides greater local control to Texas public school districts enabling them to respond to local needs.  The House Public Education Committee passed the bill with an 8-3 vote and broad bipartisan support.

 

With a strong bipartisan 9-2 vote, the House Public Education Committee approved House Bill 1536 by State Representative Harold Dutton, D-Houston,  which establishes the “Texas Opportunity School District,” a statewide school district to turn around chronically failing public schools in Texas.

 

Last Thursday, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1200 establishing the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability. Authored by State Senator Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, the Commission will study, develop, and make recommendations for new systems of student assessments and public school accountability. TER enthusiastically supports this cutting-edge legislation!

 

These four highlighted bills are core priorities for TER because they will bring meaningful change to thousands of Texas public school classrooms. We anticipate movement on other TER-supported bills this week and will keep you posted on their progress.

 

With the Legislative session drawing to a close, your voice is more important than ever. Please take a moment to contact your elected officials and let them know that you care about Texas public schools and fully support these important policy proposals to improve them. To find out who your local elected officials are and take action, please click here. 

 

In addition to emails like this, social media is a great way to stay informed. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for real-time updates on the progress of education issues in the Texas Legislature!

 

Let’s make a difference for Texas public schools this month!

 

Sincerely, 

 

Julie Linn

President