Texas House and Senate committees held interim hearings on several critically important education issues. At EdTrust in Texas, we focused on making sure every student — from early childhood through college and career — has the resources and support needed to thrive. To that end, we provided testimony on the alarming rise in uncertified teachers, strengthening foundational early literacy and numeracy skills, expanding access to advanced math, and increasing postsecondary completion through the state’s new community college finance system.

Start with our PDFs of our recommended interim charges we submitted to committees

• EdTrust Postsecondary 88th Interim Charge Recs (1)
• EdTrust-P12-88th-Interim-Charge-Recs

 Testimony

Sunset Advisory Commission – Postsecondary Education Programs within TDCJ – 11/14/24: Education Trust Texas Policy Associate Alexa Garza, in collaboration with partner organizations, submitted written testimony to the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding postsecondary education programming within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Research shows that higher education programs in prison reduce reoffending by 43% and increase employment by 13% after release. The letter asks for these programs to be made permanent by law, and for program management to be shifted from TDCJ to the prison school system, Windham School District (WSD), to improve enrollment and credential completion and expand access to post-secondary education for Pell Grant-eligible individuals. Read the testimony here.

See archived video https://www.house.texas.gov/videos/20916

Testimony: 4:24:00 – 4:26:06

Exchange w/ Member Roger Elswick: 4:39:00 -4:42:06

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development Hearing – Child Care Access for Parenting Students – 11/14/24:  Jonathan Feinstein

Summary included in the committee interim report (pg. 41) https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/89/c580/c580_InterimReport_2024.pdf

See video (3:36:00 – 3:40:00): https://senate.texas.gov/videoplayer.php?vid=20865&lang=en

Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education – Public Junior College State Finance Program – 9/24/24: Isabel Torres, Texas Community College Student Advisory Council member, submitted written testimony to the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee. Her letter highlighted the positive impact of HB 8’s community college funding reforms and how they’re transforming the lives of student parents. Torres shared her journey of earning an associate degree at Austin Community College while raising her daughter as a single parent. She highlighted critical support services: affordable on-campus childcare, monthly advising check-ins, financial support, and emergency aid. Torres noted that the demand for these services is overwhelming. She urged lawmakers to continue prioritizing support for working parents pursuing education to better provide for their families. Read her testimony here. See video testimony from Isabel from 2:03:39 – 2:09:28 https://senate.texas.gov/videoplayer.php?vid=20737&lang=en

Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education – Public Junior College State Finance Program – 9/24/24: Elias Ramirez, a Texas Community College Student Advisory Council member, shared his personal journey in written testimony to the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee. While a Pell Grant covered his community college tuition, he still had to work full-time to pay his bills. When Ramirez enrolled in a four-year university, he was one of the lucky few transfer students to receive the TEXAS Grant, which covered the cost of tuition, books, and basic needs, like transportation. His story is a testament to the transformative power of community college funding. He cited data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that shows the average unmet financial need for community college students is $11,803 and $16,370 for public university students. Read his testimony here.

Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education – Public Junior College State Finance Program – 9/24/24: Myles Lopez-Cepero, a Texas Community College Student Advisory Council member, submitted written testimony to the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee. He highlighted how HB 8 enabled Austin Community College to launch affordability initiatives, including a Free Tuition Pilot Program, an Affordability Scholarship, and a Student Emergency Fund. He shared how the scholarship helped him avoid dropping out after experiencing housing insecurity. Because of these supports, more students expect to finish their degrees faster, saving money and time. Lopez-Cepero emphasized the bill’s potential to support low-income students’ access to high-demand careers. Read his testimony here. See video testimony from Myles at https://senate.texas.gov/videoplayer.php?vid=20737&lang=en from 2:03:39 – 2:09:28

Senate Education Committee – Reading Readiness – 9/18/24: Education Trust Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein submitted written testimony to the Senate Education Committee regarding foundational early learning outcomes. Less than half of 3rd graders are reading at grade level. Feinstein included data-centered recommendations to boost reading achievement before 3rd grade: ensure educators receive high-quality diagnostic instruments and increase progress monitoring to 3 times per year, mandate individual reading improvement plans for struggling students; empower parents to understand their child’s progress and support literacy development at home. Additionally, students lose 4 months of reading progress in classrooms with uncertified teachers, so Feinstein recommends ongoing support for teachers and instructional coaching for novice and uncertified teachers. Read the testimony here.

Senate Education Committee – Testing Reform – 9/18/24: Shayna Levitan, a Policy Analyst with Education Trust Texas, submitted written testimony to the Senate Education Committee regarding the STAAR test redesign and the Texas Through-Year Assessment Pilot (TTAP). TTAP gives tests three times a year, rather than one, and it was commissioned to fulfill HB 3906 (86R) requirements. The testimony outlined key differences between Texas and how other states approach similar pilots. Levitan gave the following recommendations: develop a scoring methodology giving students multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency, explore ways to produce more actionable assessment data, make accommodations available for disabled and bilingual students, and develop high-quality resources to support district leaders and educators in implementing and interpreting TTAP. Read the testimony here.

House Public Education Committee – Monitoring of SB 2124 – 8/12/24: Policy Lead, Kristen Hengtgen, of Education Trust Texas, submitted written testimony praising SB 2124 calling it “ambitious and historic,” and shared learnings from its implementation. The policy enrolls the top 40% of students into advanced math opportunities in 6th grade, which increases postsecondary readiness and career opportunities. Hengtgen recommends robust data tracking, clear communication with families, expanded teacher training, and continued support through high school to ensure the policy successfully connects diverse students to advanced math opportunities. Read the testimony here.

House Public Education Committee – Early Literacy and Numeracy Outcomes – 8/13/24: EdTrust Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein submitted written testimony to the House Public Education Committee emphasizing the urgent need for early literacy strategies. Feinstein noted that only half of Texas 3rd graders read on grade level. His testimony advocates for data-driven strategies to support students before 3rd grade. This includes more frequent literacy screening (3 times yearly versus 1), required individual reading improvement plans for struggling students, consistent parent notification throughout K-3, and expanded literacy coaching for teachers. Read the full testimony here.

House Public Education Committee – Teacher Certification – 8/13/24: EdTrust Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein submitted testimony to the House Public Education Committee addressing the high turnover of underprepared beginning teachers. Research shows students taught by uncertified first-year teachers lose about four months in reading and three months in math. Feinstein recommended 5 strategies to prepare and retain new teachers: modify the salary schedule to value certification, expand education coursework and dual credit pathways, create paid apprenticeships, scale full-year residency programs before classroom placement, and use multiple measures to evaluate teacher performance. Read the testimony here.

House Public Education Committee – Education Savings Accounts – 8/12/24: Jonathan Feinstein, State Director with Education Trust Texas, submitted written testimony expressing concerns about proposed Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), as well as recommendations from HB 1 Analysis and evidence from other states with similar policies. The biggest takeaways are ensuring that ESAs remain equitable with prioritization to underserved families, to ensure that private providers that receive public funds are held to accountability and transparency standards, and carefully reviewing and assessing projected costs to ensure fair and equitable investments in the Texas public education system. Read the testimony here.

Additional Docs:

• EdTrust Postsecondary 88th Interim Charge Recs (1)
• EdTrust-P12-88th-Interim-Charge-Recs

During the 88th Texas Legislative Session (2023), Ed Trust has been advocating for a number of policy priorities. For each of the priorities below, here is a selection of our collective advocacy:

Accelerate Student Learning

• Against HB 2615 – High School Graduation Requirements – 4/20/23: The Education Trust’s Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein testified before the Texas House Public Education Committee against House Bill 2615. Feinstein noted that we have a shared interest in making sure all Texas students graduate high school equipped to pursue college and career pathways that ensur e their economic mobility and meet our state’s rapidly evolving workforce demands. HB 2615 would lower the bar for high school graduation and sacrifice the academic rigor necessary for students to exit high school prepared to successfully enter the workforce and/or postsecondary education. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For SB 2124 – Accelerated Math – 4/12/23: The Education Trust signed onto this E3 Alliance testimony before the Texas Senate Education Committee in support of SB 2124. The bill would create a consistent, statewide policy to ensure high-performing students who score in the top 40% of our state standardized assessment (or a local measure that includes class score and/or demonstrated proficiency in classwork) proceed into accelerated math in 6th grade, setting them on the ideal path to take Algebra I in 8th grade and setting them on the best pathway for their high school years, into college, and the workforce. Read the testimony here.
• For HB 1416 – Accelerated Student Learning – 3/14/23: The Education Trust signed onto this Commit Partnership testimony in support of HB 1416 in the Texas House Public Education Committee. In light of the effects of COVID-19 on PreK-12 learning loss and best practices that exist to accelerate students’ learning, the bill would help get students back on track. We especially appreciate the focus on high-quality, targeted tutoring, which has shown to be especially effective. Read the testimony here.

Address Teacher Vacancies

• For HB 11 – Teacher Residencies – 4/4/23: Cecilia Herrera, a Texas bilingual teacher at De Zavala Elementary in Midland ISD, testified before the House Public Education Committee on April 4, 2023, in support of House Bill 11 (HB 11). Thanks to a partnership with the University of Texas Permian Basin, Herrera spent the previous year as a teacher resident at the school where she is now a teacher of record. Herrera discussed how her paid, yearlong residency provided her with valuable insights, tools, strategies, and teaching methods she could not have obtained through traditional student teaching. She believes HB 11 will allow more future educators to benefit from this high-quality preparation pathway. Read the testimony, and watch video here.
• On HB 100 – Teacher Compensation – 4/4/23: Feinstein testified before the House Public Education Committee on April 4, 2023, on House Bill 100 (HB 100) regarding proposed changes to the state’s teacher salary schedule based on certification status. He focused on data showing that teacher vacancy challenges in Texas are primarily driven by rising levels of attrition and calls for policymakers to send a clear signal to future educators that quality preparation pays- literally. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For SB 9 – Teacher Residencies – 3/22/23: Kailey Tate, a Texas 6th grade English Language Arts teacher at Wilson and Young Middle School in Odessa, testified before the Senate Education Committee on March 22, 2023, in support of Senate Bill 9 (SB 9). Ed Trust has been working with Tate to support her advocacy. She spent all the previous year as a teacher resident at the school where she is now a teacher of record, thanks to a partnership between the University of Texas Permian Basin and Ector County ISD. Tate discussed how her yearlong, paid residency prepared her with the tools to be a successful first-year teacher and career educator. She believes the Teacher Residency Partnership program and allotment should be a vital part of Texas’ long-term solution to teacher vacancies. See Kailey’s story. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.

Build Trust with Parents & Families

• Children at Risk, The Education Trust in Texas submitted written comments on these three bills before the Texas House Youth Health and Safety Select Committee. Chronic absence has been a major challenge in Texas education, and we appreciate the focus on policy solutions. In the comments, we focus on the need for consistent, clear data to help monitor attendance going forward. Read the testimony here.
• For HB 2162 – Early Literacy – 3/21/23: Our community partner Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, Founder of Parent Shield Fort Worth, filed this testimony in support of HB 2162 before the Texas House Public Education Committee. The bill would help address the low numbers of students reading on grade level. Early literacy programs are one of the best policy solutions available. Read the testimony here.

Invest in Community College Access & Success

One of our top priorities this legislative session has been to invest in community college access and success. House Bill 8, authored by Texas State Representative Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston), Chair of the House Appropriations Article III Subcommittee, along with a contingency rider in the base budget, would increase funding and enhance affordability and success for community college students across Texas. Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), Chair of the Senate Education Committee, authored companion bill SB 2539. Both proposals are based on the final recommendations of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance and will bolster community colleges as Texas faces a growing skilled workforce shortage with nearly one million job openings unfilled as of November 2022 and a postsecondary attainment level that ranks 36th in the country.

View our statement in support of HB 8 after the Texas House passed the bill.

• For SB 1887 – Transfer Success – 4/13/23: The Education Trust’s Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee in support of Senate Bill 1887. Feinstein discussed the challenges Texas students face related to credit transfer, costing them valuable money and time to complete their postsecondary credential. He noted the recommendations of the Student Advisory Council and the benefit of the proposed “Texas Direct” associate degree to improve transfer success and affordability. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For SB 2539 – Community College– Recent Dallas College student Ángel García Donjuán testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 23, 2023, in support of SB 2539. García Donjuán is a member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). García Donjuán talked about how access to dual credit positively impacted his college and career trajectory. He shared that, as proposed by SB 2539, more Texas students would be able to access these opportunities and community colleges rewarded reliable performance funding for the success of first-generation students like himself. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For 2539 – Community College– Tarrant County College student Chelsea Talley testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 23, 2023, in support of SB 2539. She is an aspiring first generation college graduate, a student council chair, a Student Advisory Council member and an advocate for homeless students and survivors of domestic violence. As a parenting student with a child who is also enrolled in dual credit, she knows first hand the opportunities that community colleges offer and believes SB 2539 can help more students and families like hers achieve their academic and career goals. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For 2539 – Community College – College of the Mainland student Elias Ramirez also testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 23, 2023, in support of Senate Bill 2539 (SB 2539). Ramirez is another member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). Ramirez highlighted his experience as a low-income student struggling to secure funds to cover textbooks and other class materials. He shared how SB 2539 would ensure small community colleges like his would benefit from a base level of funding to ensure student retention, completion, and success. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For HB 8 – Community College – Recent Tyler Junior College graduate Victoria Hoover testified before the House Higher Education Committee on March 20, 2023, in support of House Bill 8 (HB 8). Hoover is a member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). Hoover talked about her experience as a “non-traditional” student in rural East Texas and the necessity of HB 8 to fund community colleges and support student completion and success in today’s rapidly-changing economy. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For HB 8 – Community College – Lone Star College student Montoya Thomas testified before the House Higher Education Committee on March 20, 2023, in support of House Bill 8 (HB 8). Thomas is a member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE). Montoya shared how her transition out of foster care and her constant battle to navigate her education while trying to secure housing. She identifies how HB 8 would ensure that every Texas community college receives essential funding to meet the needs of students like herself. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For SB 200 – Academic Fresh Start – 3/30/23: Student Advisory Council member Victoria Hoover submitted written comments in support of SB 200 before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee. The bill would disregard older transcripts when students, such as adult learners, decide to re-enroll in classes. As Hoover wrote, the bill “would open doors for Texans who are striving to start over and make the most of their educational opportunities.” Read the testimony here.

Expand Postsecondary Access & Reentry Success for Incarcerated Texans

• For HB 4251 – Postsecondary Education in Prison – 4/17/23: Texas Policy Associate Alexa Garza testified before the House Corrections Committee in support of House Bill 4251. Garza shared her journey to complete her Bachelor’s degree as a system-impacted woman, highlighting the access and program barriers many other incarcerated individuals face. She urged lawmakers to support HB 4251 to ensure all Texans- inmates and their families, prison staff, local communities, and employers- benefit from high-quality, accessible educational and workforce training opportunities. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For SB 526 – Pell Reinstatement – 3/30/23: Texas State Director Jonathan Feinstein testified before the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on March 30, 2023, in support of Senate Bill 526. Feinstein highlighted how SB 526 represents an excellent first step for our state to capitalize on the many opportunities offered by Pell reinstatement for incarcerated Texans. Learn more about Pell reinstatement. Read the testimony here, and watch video here.
• For HB 1743 – SNAP upon reentry – 3/16/23: Education Trust Texas Policy Associate Alexa Garza submitted written testimony in support of HB 1743 before the Texas House Corrections Committee. The bill would enable inmates to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) benefits in a manner that allows them to start at the time of discharge or release. Receiving food assistance immediately upon release provides significant benefits to help Texans get back into society. Read the testimony here.