Senate Committee on Education - 87th R.S. (2021)

Committee:	Senate Education
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Coronavirus | Curriculum | Homestead exemptions | Property taxes | School bonds | School finance | Teacher shortages |
Library Call Number:
Session:	87th R.S. (2021)
Online version:	View report [39 pages  File size: 1,510 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Educator Talent Pipeline: Examine the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the public school educator talent pipeline, staffing patterns and practices, and declining student enrollment and attendance. Review any policies and regulatory actions that prevent students from receiving instruction from a highly effective teacher. Monitor the impact of both the Teacher Incentive Allotment and non-administrator compensation increases directed under HB 3, 86th R.S., as well as the teacher pay raises implemented in 2019. Explore innovative models to improve recruitment and make recommendations to maintain a strong educator workforce pipeline, while adapting resilient school strategies to meet emergent demands in public education.
2.	Bond Efficiency: Conduct a comprehensive review of the school district bond issuance process. Specifically, review public notice and disclosure requirements, the bond election process, procurement requirements, and how unused bond proceeds may be utilized. Study the best practices implemented by school boards and make recommendations to improve bond issuance efficiencies.
3.	Homestead Exemption: Study the use and effect of the optional homestead exemption available to independent school districts. Examine and report on costs to the state if school districts receive incentives to increase the optional percentage exemption.
4.	Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education passed by the 87th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following: SB 3, 87th 2nd C.S., Relating to civics training programs for certain public school social studies teachers and principals, parental access to certain learning management systems, and certain curriculum in public schools, including certain instructional requirements and prohibitions; SB 15, 87th 2nd C.S., Relating to virtual and off-campus electronic instruction at a public school, the satisfaction of teacher certification requirements through an internship teaching certain virtual courses, and the allotment for certain special-purpose school districts under the Foundation School Program; SB 1365, 87th R.S., Relating to public school organization, accountability, and fiscal management; SB 1716, 87th R.S., Relating to a supplemental special education services and instructional materials program for certain public school students receiving special education services; HB 1525, 87th R.S., Relating to the public school finance system and public education; HB 4545, 87th R.S., Relating to the assessment of public school students, the establishment of a strong foundations grant program, and providing accelerated instruction for students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments; HB 3, 86th R.S., relating to public school finance and public education; and HB 3906, 86th R.S., relating to the assessment of public school students, including the development and administration of assessment instruments, and technology permitted for use by students.

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