Relating to establishing a state master plan for closing academic achievement gaps in public primary and secondary education.
Impact
If enacted, HB 4238 could bring significant changes to the state's education system by emphasizing accountability and performance standards across public schools. The bill outlines the necessity for a statewide assessment of educational practices to ensure that they align with effective models from other states and federal requirements. By focusing on measurable outcomes such as graduation rates, the bill aims to create a more uniform standard of success that all schools must strive to meet. This could lead to improved academic results for students who have historically underperformed in standardized educational assessments.
Summary
House Bill 4238 aims to establish a comprehensive state master plan intended to address and close academic achievement gaps within public primary and secondary education across Texas. The bill proposes the formation of a Select Committee on the State Master Plan, comprising various stakeholders such as legislators, educators, and members of the business community. This committee's role will include defining specific goals such as improving overall student achievement, reducing dropout rates, and enhancing readiness for postsecondary education. Additionally, the plan is to consider the unique challenges posed by a growing population of educationally disadvantaged students and those with limited English proficiency.
Contention
The bill does face potential points of contention, primarily from those who may argue that a state education plan could impose uniform standards that do not account for local needs or variations in student demographics. Critics might raise concerns that the one-size-fits-all approach could lead to a neglect of community-specific challenges in addressing educational gaps, thus creating further disparities in education quality. Supporters, however, argue that a centralized plan is essential for ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to equitable educational opportunities.
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.
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.
Relating to teacher literacy achievement academies and the requirement for certain public school teachers and principals to attend a teacher literacy achievement academy.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; provision related to officeholders raising funds when facing a recall; modify, and require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; funds donated to a candidate for recall efforts; require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
A concurrent resolution recognizing wild rice as sacred and central to the culture and health of Indigenous Peoples in Minnesota and critical to the health and identity of all Minnesota citizens and ecosystems and establishing a commitment to passing legislation to protect wild rice and the freshwater resources upon which it depends.