HB 3 and HB 3906 Advisory Committees

The 86th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3 and House Bill 3906 which, among other things, created five advisory committees to support public education:

• Reading Standards K-3 Advisory Committee
• Special Education Allotment Advisory Committee
• Compensatory Education Allotment Advisory Committee
• Financial Aid Advisory Committee
• Assessment Educator Advisory Committee

The Texas Education Agency (TEA or agency) is now soliciting nominations for each of the committees through a single nomination form.

Reading Standards K-3 Advisory Committee (HB 3 Sec. 2.013; TEC Sec. 28.0062(d))
Deadline for Nomination Submission: August 7, 2019
The Reading Standards K-3 Advisory Committee will be formed this August to assist the agency in fulfilling the agency’s duties under this section related to reading standards for kindergarten through third grade.

The advisory committee will consist of 20-25 members, appointed by the commissioner, with academic and/or practical expertise in one or more of the following areas: early childhood; developmental literacy; biliteracy; English learners; and dyslexia or special education.

Members should anticipate participating on a volunteer basis in four meetings a year with the agency providing periodic updates to the Texas legislature (Legislature) on implementation and effectiveness.

Compensatory Education Allotment Advisory Committee (HB 3 Sec. 1.029; TEC Sec. 48.1041) Deadline for Nomination Submission: August 12, 2019

The Compensatory Education Allotment Advisory Committee will be formed this September to advise the agency in adopting rules for the state compensatory education allotment.
The advisory committee will consist of approximately 20 members, appointed by the commissioner, including the following categories outlined in statute:
(1) school district superintendents and chief financial officers;
(2) classroom teachers;
(3) representatives of school districts located in an area other than an urban area, as designated by the U.S. Census Bureau;
(4) at least one representative of an open-enrollment charter school;
(5) demographers;
(6) experts on census data;
(7) public school finance experts; and
(8) appropriate employees of the agency.

Members should anticipate participating on a volunteer basis in monthly meetings culminating in the adoption of rules by March 1, 2020 with participation continuing after rules are adopted. Additionally, advisory committee members are required to review, not less than once every two years, census and student data and provide recommendations to the agency regarding any suggested changes to the rules.

Assessment Educator Advisory Committee (HB 3906 Sec. 4; TEC Sec. 39.02302(b))
Deadline for Nomination Submission: August 16, 2019

This educator advisory committee will be formed in September to advise the commissioner and the agency on the development of academically appropriate state assessment instruments. The committee must include experts in curriculum and instruction.

The commissioner will appoint the 25-30 member advisory committee that will include content experts and individuals with experience supporting special populations. The committee is expected to advise on the design and implementation of changes contemplated for the state’s assessment program. Committee members may include
(1) K-12 educators;
(2) K-12 administrators; and
(3) higher education representatives;

Advisory committee members will be reimbursed for travel expenses, will be asked to serve for a five-year term, and must commit to active participation for at least three years. Advisory committee members will also be invited to participate on subcommittees. It is anticipated that the advisory committee will meet face-to-face in Austin two times per year. Subcommittees will be convened the day before advisory committee meetings, as necessary. In addition to face-to-face meetings, subcommittees will be convened for up to four virtual meetings per year as necessary.

Special Education Allotment Advisory Committee (HB 3 Sec. 1.026; TEC Sec. 48.1021)
Deadline to submit nominations: September 1, 2019

The Special Education Allotment Advisory Committee will be formed this September to develop and make recommendations regarding methods of financing special education under the public school finance system.

The advisory committee will consist of 14 members, appointed by the commissioner, including the following categories outlined in statute:
(1) a parent of a student eligible to participate in a school district's special education program under Section 29.003;
(2) a director of a school district's special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29;
(3) a teacher certified in special education;
(4) a diagnostician;
(5) a licensed specialist in school psychology;
(6) a provider who provides related services, as described by Section 29.002(2);
(7) a superintendent of a school district;
(8) a member of a school district's board of trustees;
(9) a representative of a disability advocacy organization;

(10) a member of the special education continuing advisory committee under Section 29.006;

(11) a teacher certified in general education;

(12) a student eligible to participate in a school district's special education program under Section 29.003;

(13) a representative of a regional education service center; and

(14) a school district official who handles business and finance matters for the district.

Members will be reimbursed for travel expenses and should expect to attend monthly meetings culminating in a report due to the Legislature no later than May 1, 2020.

Financial Aid Advisory Committee (HB 3 Sec. 2.015; TEC Sec. 28.0256(f))
Deadline for Nomination Submission: June 1, 2020

The Financial Aid Advisory Committee will be formed in fall 2020 to assist the agency in adopting rules to implement the new graduation requirement that students complete and submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA).

The advisory committee will consist of approximately 15 members, appointed by the commissioner, including individuals from the following categories as outlined in statute:

(1) School counselors
(2) School administrators
(3) Stakeholders to represent the needs of interested students

Advisory committee members should anticipate participating on a volunteer basis in two to four meetings culminating in a report due to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2021.

Questions

For more information, please see https://tea.texas.gov/hb3 or email hb3info@tea.texas.gov.