The House Committee on Public Education

88th Legislature

August 13, 2024

9:00 a.m.

E2.010

Pursuant to a notice posted on July 10, 2024, the House Committee on Public Education met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Buckley, at 9:15 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Buckley; Allen; Allison; Cunningham; Harris, Cody; Harrison; Hefner; King, Ken; and Longoria.

A quorum was present.

The Chair made opening remarks.

(Representative Talarico now present.)

The Committee heard invited testimony from state agencies and advocacy groups on the following interim charges:

Charge #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.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Hinojosa now present.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Dutton, Harold now present.)

(Representative Schaefer now present.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Charge #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.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The Committee heard public testimony on the following interim charges:

Charge #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.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Charge #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.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 6:00 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Buckley, Chair

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Jack Reed, Clerk