State Board of Education on passage of legislative priorities
AUSTIN – The State Board of Education has noted the passage of several items it had identified as state board priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature. The legislative actions listed below reflect the board’s "mission to strengthen and support Texas public education," according to a media release
“These new laws will directly support our work to improve student outcomes while giving teachers the resources they need to do it,” Chairman Aaron Kinsey said in a statement. “On behalf of the board, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Educator Commissioner Mike Morath, the Texas Education Agency, and Texas legislators for supporting these priorities and other key legislation that will benefit Texas kids and their families.”
The following were signed into law, with involvement by Ellis County’s legislators noted if an author, co-author, sponsor, or co-sponsor for a specific bill. For more information, click the highlighted bill number, which has been linked back to its details on Texas Legislature Online:
- School Library Content
Establishes a Local School Library Advisory Council, clarifies local challenge processes, and requires the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to update collection standards. (Senate Bill 13). State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, whose district includes the western portion of Ellis County, and state Sen. Bob Hall, R-Rockwall, whose district includes the eastern portion of Ellis County, were co-authors of Senate Bill 13. - Special Education Funding
Codified the Special Education Funding Commission’s recommendations. (House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 568). Birdwell and Hall were co-sponsors of House Bill 2. - Implementation of Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment
Grants rulemaking authority to the board to address parental rights by establishing a requirement for a superintendent to appear before the SBOE if five parent grievances are overruled by the agency in a year. Requires TEKS to comply with new §28.0043 restrictions. (Senate Bill 12). Birdwell was a co-author of Senate Bill 12. - Certified Teachers Support
Funding increase for hiring certified teachers and/or increasing salaries for certified teachers (House Bill 2). Birdwell and Hall were co-sponsors of House Bill 2. - NEXT Program
Creation of the Navigating Excellence Through Targeted Support (NEXT) program and providing $3.5M to fund student-level targeted math and reading intervention supports (Senate Bill 1). Birdwell was a co-author of Senate Bill 1. - Certification Exam Fees Reimbursements
Waiving fees on first attempts on special education and bilingual certification exams (House Bill 2). Birdwell and Hall were co-sponsors of House Bill 2. - Teacher Recruitment and Retention Recommendations
Addresses teacher compensation, training, and support (House Bill 2) and working conditions through recommendations made by the Governor’s Teacher Vacancy Task Force (House Bill 6). Birdwell and Hall were co-sponsors of House Bill 2. Hall was a co-sponsor of House Bill 6. - Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (RPEP) Program Expansion
RPEP funding cap increased to $20M per year (House Bill 2). Birdwell and Hall were co-sponsors of House Bill 2.
(Editor’s note: A review of the available records at Texas Legislature Online
does not show state Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, as an author, co-author,
sponsor, or co-sponsor for any of the above-mentioned education-related bills).
The priorities were adopted by the board in November 2024 and submitted to the Texas Legislature for consideration.
“The board will work closely with the Texas Education Agency to ensure effective rollout of these new laws,” according to the media release.
For more information and updates on implementation, visit TEA’s 89th Legislature Updates webpage, https://tea.texas.gov/89th.
Compiled by Jo Ann Livingston/In The Know Ellis.
