The House Public Education Committee’s Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education met Thursday, March 27, with a short agenda of four bills, including one that would expand virtual education in Texas.

ATPE-opposed House Bill (HB) 2196 by Rep. Keith Bell (R–Forney) would replace the Texas Virtual School Network and expand full-time virtual education. The nearly 20-year track record of full-time virtual education in Texas, including the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, has shown most of those programs consistently failing to provide an optimal learning environment for students. The virtual schools offering fully remote asynchronous options have been the worst performers.

Based on the experience of the few programs producing successful student outcomes, ATPE submitted written testimony requesting three changes be made to HB 2196: (1) tying virtual students to a physical campus for purposes of tutoring, testing, and receiving services such as special education; (2) prohibiting full-time asynchronous virtual programs; and (3) strengthening language in the bill that gives the Texas Education Commissioner unilateral authority to determine which third-party vendors may provide full-time virtual services by adding clear, minimum standards to the statute. Though ATPE opposes HB 2196 in its current form, we hope to be able to support legislation this session that would improve the current statutory framework for virtual education.

Another bill heard by the subcommittee was HB 117 by Rep. Alan Schoolcraft (R–Seguin), which would create a Governor’s Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood and Care. ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter testified in support of the bill, emphasizing the need for early childhood educators to be included on the task force. The bill currently does not require any educators to be placed on the task force. ATPE also submitted written testimony on HB 117.

Two other bills heard by the subcommittee included HB 2689 by Rep. Ryan Guillen (R–Rio Grande City), which would establish an intensive workforce readiness adult education program. This bill would allow students to earn their high school diploma or GED while taking CTE courses for licensure or certification. House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 64 by Rep. Pat Curry (R–Waco) would establish the first full week of April as Gifted and Talented Students Week.

All four bills were left pending. The subcommittee cannot vote on bills and does not even make recommendations on the bills it hears. Only the chair of the Public Education Committee, Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), can determine when bills heard by the subcommittee will move forward in the full committee. Stay tuned to Teach the Vote for updates as the session progresses.