Patrick releases more interim charges for Senate committees

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released more interim charges for Senate committees ahead of the 2025 legislative session, which starts in January.

New items for the Senate Education Committee include:

• Improving K12-College Pathways: Review the availability of Advanced Placement and dual-credit course offerings in high schools and examine the transfer requirements required for students to receive higher education course credit. Identify the current challenges to streamlining the transfer process, including adequate counseling for high school students. Make recommendations to ensure students receive credit for successful completion of these courses.
• Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education passed by the 88th 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 parent-approved health education.

In other education-related charges, the Senate Finance Committee is tasked with studying school enrollment trends to examine the possible causes behind the shift in public school student enrollment, including the rise in homeschooling, micro-schools, and other parental choice options. The committee is also asked to make recommendations "to ensure parents and educators have the tools and resources needed to respond to projected enrollment changes and ensure that every child has the best educational options available to learn." 

These new items are in addition to interim charges released in April.