View this webinar for an overview of the 2021 Texas education bills passed during the Regular Legislative Session. The webinar also includes a lively discussion full of questions and best practices from your colleagues across the state. To hear what they had to say, be sure to tune into the recording.
This was a big year for Texas education in the Legislature. Budget concerns due to the pandemic were top of mind, and winter storm Uri shifted attention away from other issues, creating focus on energy and the environment. Overall, more than 7,000 bills were filed and 1,073 have passed. Our guest speakers describe the special nature of this year’s legislative session and break down some important bills introduced this year.
Special thanks to our guests from Educate Texas - Priscilla Garza, Director of Policy, and Ryan Franklin, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Statewide issues
Many people went into this year’s legislative session concerned about the education budget. However, with Senate Bill (SB) 1, legislators continued funding for investments passed last session under House Bill (HB) 3, alleviating some concerns. Another big statewide bill getting a lot of attention from across the state is House Bill 5, which creates the infrastructure to support expanded access and investments to broadband throughout Texas.
Education budget - SB 1 by Sen. Nelson:
Broadband - HB 5 by Sen. Ashby:
School finance and pandemic response
After the historic passage of HB 3 last session, House Bill 1525 was passed this year to provide updates and changes needed due to COVID-19. The bill includes learning acceleration support, reinstates the gifted and talented allotment, and adjusts career and technical education (CTE) funding to encourage programs of study. House Bill 4545 focuses on accelerated instruction for students not performing at grade level, especially students in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades who receive lower test scores.
School finance - HB 1525 By Rep. Huberty:
Mental health - HB 2287 by Rep. Thompson:
Learning loss - HB 4545 by Rep. Dutton:
Testing, graduation, and attendance
This year we see big changes that position electronic assessments as the default for statewide exams beginning in the 2022-23 school year. We also see attendance exceptions for students with long-term or life-threatening illnesses. Expect additional guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Texas Association of School Boards on attendance rules and accepted illnesses.
Electronic administration of assessments - HB 3261 by Rep. Huberty:
Individual graduation committees - HB 1603 by Rep. Huberty:
Attendance for students with severe illnesses - HB 699 by Rep. Rosenthal:
Dual credit, CCMR bonus, and accountability
Finally, we see some changes to college, career, and military readiness standards. A dual credit advising bill by Sen. West requires a single academic advisor to act as a point person for students taking dual credit courses. The hope is that this law will improve the advising quality for all students taking dual credit courses. House Bill 773 and House Bill 1147 allow CTE programs of study to be accepted as indicators of achievement in the accountability system, and military readiness to include enlistment in the Texas National Guard.
Dual credit advising - SB 1277 by Sen. West:
Accountability and CTE programs of study - HB 773 by rep. VanDeaver:
Military Readiness Definition - HB 1147 by Rep. Hubert:
Check out the webinar recording for answers to common questions from educators around the state and information on additional bills introduced this session.
Last year, House Bill 3 introduced a new financial aid graduation requirement, going into practice this school year. Beginning in 2021–22, all 12th graders will be required to take one of the following actions to graduate:
Texas OnCourse has partnered with the TEA to make sure every student has the information they need to submit their financial aid forms. This summer, we will launch a new website with tailored information for educators, students, families and partner organizations. As always, the site is designed to align with legislative requirements in HB 3.
Our high school program manager, Samantha Kimmel, noted the upcoming site will have these features:
The website is expected to launch this July. If you’d like to be the first to know when it launches, sign up for our monthly newsletter. The Educator Playbook provides important updates for counselors, advisors, and other educators supporting students with college and career readiness. Every month, we provide the best resources for educators, students, and families.