Bills passing House, Senate include stronger commissioner proposal

SB 1365 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt passed the Senate on an initial vote Tuesday. The bill strengthens the authority of the commissioner of education over low-performing schools, and was filed largely in response to litigation involving the current commissioner’s efforts to intervene with Houston ISD.

SB 2026 by Sen. Larry Taylor passed the Senate and will head to the House. It adds to the statutory objectives of education that “Educators shall cultivate in students an informed American patriotism and lead students in a close study of the founding documents of the United States and Texas.” Informed patriotism is described as “a reasoned appreciation…of why America has been, is now, and continues to be the destination of choice for those around the world who yearn to live in freedom.”

In the House, HB 622 by Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins passed on an initial vote. It would create an abbreviated certification program for marketing education and for health science technology education.

HB 159 by Rep. Mary Gonzalez expands requirements for educator preparation, certification and staff development with regard to teaching students with disabilities. It passed the House and will move to the Senate.