MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Friday, November 13, 2020

10:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education was held on Friday, November 13, 2020, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Larry Taylor, Chair	Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair	Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Bryan Hughes	Senator Pat Fallon
Senator Angela Paxton	Senator Bob Hall
Senator Beverly Powell	Senator Royce West
	Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM.

The chair laid out and made opening remarks on the following interim charge:

Digital Learning: Assess the Texas Virtual School Network and the new Texas Home Learning System to evaluate effectiveness of each and recommend model legislation to improve digital learning options for students, families, and educators.

The chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

The chair laid out the following interim charge:

Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education passed by the 86th 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:

· House Bill 3, relating to public school finance and public education.

· House Bill 3906, relating to the assessment of public school students, including the development and administration of assessment instruments, and technology permitted for use by students.

The chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

The chair laid out the following interim charge:

Examine best practices by school districts and charters in providing education during the CoVid-19 pandemic, including methods of delivery for education. Highlight the best practice responses to challenges such as a lack of electronic devices and broadband/internet connection, as well as methods utilized to ensure students maintain growth throughout the academic year.

The chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

The chair laid out the following interim charge:

Special Education: Evaluate ongoing strategies to continuously improve special education services for students in public schools, including methods for educating students in a remote setting, as well as the Texas Education Agency's corrective action plan.

The chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

There being no further business, at 2:26 PM Senator Taylor moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

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Daniel Warner, Clerk