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The Texas House has released its interim charges today. Speaker Burrows (R - Lubbock) also announced the creation of three new select committees, including a Select Committee on Governmental Oversight that is tasked with, among other things, examining education foundations that are affiliated with public school districts.
Here are some of the key public education-related interim charges included in today's announcement:
Committee on Public Education:
- Monitoring and Oversight: The committee was directed to monitor the implementation of various legislation passed last session including HB 2 (omnibus public education/school finance), HB 6 (discipline), HB 8 (accountability), HB 1481 (cell phone ban), SB 2 (vouchers), as well as review the overall state of public education in Texas, and provide oversight of relevant agencies.
- Eliminate Educator Misconduct: The committee will review Texas laws and recent legislation to ensure districts have sufficient authority to respond to instances of educator misconduct and recommend stronger safeguards where needed.
- Improve Middle School Outcomes: The committee will examine strategies, programs, and innovative models to better prepare middle school students for high school success.
- Teacher Recruitment and Retention: The committee will assess the impact of recent legislation on educator preparation, compensation, and classroom support and make recommendations for strengthening the teacher development pipeline.
- Investment in Special Education: Review state policies, recent legislation, and funding increases affecting students with special needs to evaluate enrollment trends and recommend improvements in teacher efficiency, Pre-K access, disability supports, and workforce planning.
Committee on Ways & Means: The committee will take on property tax relief as a standalone charge, with a focus on school district rate compression. The committee will also focus on local government spending and debt practices.
Select Committee on Governmental Oversight: The new Select Committee on Government Oversight will examine education foundations that are affiliated with public school districts.
Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence: The committee will monitor implementation of HB 4623 (liability of public schools and school employees for sexual misconduct).
Committee on Higher Education: The committee will review several K-12-related charges including aligning advising initiatives and the implementation of the My Texas Future platform for high school students.
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