TX
Texas House Bill HB4117

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4117

Caption

Relating to providing high-quality tutoring services to public school students, including the creation of the Texas Tutor Corps program, the establishment of a COVID-19 learning loss and student acceleration pilot program, and the use of the compensatory education allotment for tutoring services programs.

Impact

The bill significantly impacts state education policy, particularly in ways that govern the provision of tutoring services. It mandates that tutoring programs provide individualized support, promote qualified personnel—such as certified educators and individuals in teacher preparation programs—and adhere to best practices in educational pedagogy. Through these measures, HB4117 aims to uplift student achievement, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by focusing on personalized learning experiences to mitigate the effects of past academic disruptions.

Summary

House Bill 4117 establishes a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for students in Texas through high-quality tutoring services. The bill introduces the Texas Tutor Corps program, designed to support tutoring initiatives in hard-to-staff and high-need schools. This initiative is prompted by the need to address educational challenges amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically targeting learning loss and academic acceleration. Under the program, school districts can receive grants to collaborate with local consortia, including various educational and community organizations, to deliver targeted tutoring services that fit student needs.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its focus on student-centric educational support, it also raises points of contention regarding its execution and funding mechanisms. Concerns have emerged about the reliance on local consortia to implement the program effectively, as the quality of tutoring can vary widely based on local resources and partnerships. Additionally, the need for state funding to establish these programs poses questions about the long-term sustainability and equitable access to tutoring services across different regions of Texas. The legislative discussions surrounding HB4117 highlight a tension between the urgency to address educational gaps and the logistics involved in effectively orchestrating widespread tutoring initiatives.

Companion Bills

TX SB2023

Same As Relating to providing high-quality tutoring services to public school students, including the creation of the Texas Tutor Corps program, and the use of the compensatory education allotment for certain tutoring services programs.

Previously Filed As

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX SB1474

Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach or provide services related to special education.

TX HB3781

Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach special education.

TX SB9

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB58

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators and assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators and to certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB11

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB4188

Relating to the rights, certification, and compensation of public school educators, including financial and other assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators and to certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB2225

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Students with Disabilities Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.

TX HB5148

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Students with Disabilities Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.

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