Key Public Education Bills in the 84th

Bill Ames has reviewed some 200 bills that have been filed in the 84th Texas Legislature, relating to public education. We express our gratitude to Bill for his offering of 12 of the “Best” , and 10 of the “Worst” bills filed.

84th Texas Legislature – Key Public Education Recommendations
– created by Bill Ames for North Texas Citizens Lobby (NTCL)

Bill Content Description: State contractors (incl. school district contractors) must participate in E-Verify program.
Bill Number: HB88
Author: James White (R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Contain employment of illegals

Bill Content Description: Course in U. S. Constitution in curriculum requirements for public school students
Bill Number: HB135
Author: Dan Flynn (R)  NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Counters trend towards progressive curriculum in Texas public schools

Bill Content Description: Posting of 10 Commandments in public school classrooms
Bill Number: HB138
Author: Dan Flynn(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Counters trend towards progressive curriculum in Texas public schools

Bill Content Description: Prohibits abortion providers from teaching sex education in Texas public schools
Bill Number: HB205
Author: Jeff Leach(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Prevents Planned Parenthood from using public schools as a platform to promote its products and abortion services

Bill Content Description: Free health services and public education not allowed for illegals
Bill Number: HB306
Author: James White(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Contain illegal immigration

Bill Content Description: School district or campus that has been assigned an unacceptable rating cannot receive a waiver or exemption for its performance.
Bill Number: HB340
Author: Harold Dutton(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Requires school district to focus on improvement rather than release from unacceptable performance

Bill Content Description: Access for home schoolers to UIL activities
Bill Number: HB347
Author: Harold Dutton(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Home school families pay school taxes, should be allowed to participate

Bill Content Description: SBOE approval required for all Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in public high schools
Bill Number: HB374
Author: Ron Simmons(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Ensure Texas values on curriculum created outside of Texas

Bill Content Description: Parental school choice
Bill Number: SB276
Author: Donna Campbell(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Breaks government school monopoly

 

Bill Content Description: Allows professionals to teach in public schools without a teaching certificate
Bill Number: HB810
Author: James White(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Improves subject matter knowledge in teaching profession

Bill Content Description: Requires passing civics test for graduation
Bill Number: HB829
Author: Bill Zedler(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Upgrades serious deficiency in civics knowledge among high school/college youth

Bill Content Description: Increase homestead exemption for 65+ and disabled
Bill Number:HJR30 [Constutional Amendment]
Author: Armando Martinez(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Property tax reduction

Bill Content Description: Sets minimum starting salary for professional employees of Texas public schools
Bill Number: HB47
Author: Armando Martinez(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: “Minimum wage” legislation for education professionals

Bill Content Description: Relates to suspension/termination of school district employees
Bill Number: HB54 / HB57
Author: Mary Gonzales(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Overly complicates suspension/termination of employees

Bill Content Description: Provide free pre-kindergarten
Bill Number: HB186 / SB72
Author: Senfronia Thompson(D)/Rodney Ellis(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Selective – Expensive, unproven

Bill Content Description: Locally determined assessments substitute for state tests
Bill Number: HB406 / HB407  
Author: Mary Gonzales(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Create chaos across already anti-measurement school districts

Bill Content Description: Creates non-partisan State Board of Education (SBOE)
Bill Number: HB429
Author: Donna Howard(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Public Education curriculum IS political. Voters need to know the ideology of SBOE candidates

Bill Content Description: Prohibits teacher rewards based on state-required assessments
Bill Number: HB513
Author: Joe Moody(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Prohibits teacher pay-for-performance

Bill Content Description: Bans corporal punishment in public schools
Bill Number: HB567
Author: Alma Allen(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Further erodes discipline in public schools

Bill Content Description: Voter education for high school seniors
Bill Number: HB587 / SB141
Author: Ana Hernandez Luna(D)/Sylvia Garcia(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Includes voter registration. Much opportunity for chicanery, bias. Remember ACORN?

Bill Content Description: Places State Board of Education (SBOE) under review by Sunset Advisory Commission
Bill Number: SB74
Author: Rodney Ellis(D)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Texas requires SBOE to ensure good curriculum

Bill Content Description: Require SBOE to review, modify TEKS standards
Bill Number: SB313
Author: Kel Seliger(R)
NTCL Recommendation: Oppose
Justification: Given relative curriculum anarchy at school district level, the last thing we need to do is attack the SBOE standards

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Bill Ames is an education activist residing in Dallas. His book, “TEXAS TROUNCES THE LEFT’S WAR ON HISTORY” (WNAenterprises.com) tells the story of his experience in developing Texas’ U. S. history standard in 2009-2010. He recently reviewed CSCOPE lessons as part of the State Board of Education’s Ad Hoc Committee Project, and is available to deliver presentations to interested groups.