The 89th Texas Legislative Session begins Jan. 14, and the Senate Education Committee recently released its interim report. Generally, the report acts as a guidepost for where the chamber will likely focus its efforts, highlighting findings and recommendations for the upcoming session. Here are five key takeaways:

1. Focus on Early Learning: While Texas has made notable strides in 4th grade reading and math—rising nine rankings in reading and four in math—disturbingly it ranks in the bottom half nationally for reading proficiency. Further, only 38% of Texas 4th-graders meet national math standards. For students not meeting state expectations by 3rd grade, just 18% are able to catch up in reading by 6th grade, and only 13% catch up in math. The Committee emphasizes the importance of early intervention, recommending targeted, research-based support for struggling students, particularly before 3rd grade. It also suggests adding more resources for teachers, including professional development in data literacy, instructional coaching, and intervention strategies.

2. Pre-K’s Critical Role: Pre-K plays a pivotal role in preparing students for school. Texas data show students who attend pre-K are twice as likely to be kindergarten-ready as their peers, which echoes Good Reason Houston’s findings for the Houston region. Despite this, less than half of eligible students are enrolled in pre-K, and statewide, only 52% of students are deemed kindergarten-ready. To address this, the Committee recommends expanding the Early Education Allotment to allow pre-K students to generate weighted funding, similar to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. This would support early learning initiatives, helping ensure that more children have access to high-quality early education.

3. Transparency in Academic Accountability: The state’s A-F academic performance ratings have not been released for the past two years due to ongoing litigation. The Committee expressed concern about the lack of transparent data, which legislators rely on to make informed decisions and allocate resources. To improve accountability, the Committee recommends reinstating the release of the A-F ratings. This would provide clearer insights into academic performance, helping to drive policy decisions and support for schools in need.

4. Texas Through-Year Assessment Pilot (TTAP): TTAP is a promising pilot program designed to provide more frequent and actionable assessment data throughout the school year. Currently being tested in 144 school districts, including Spring ISD in the Houston region, TTAP aims to replace end-of-year testing with three assessment points during the school year. Initial findings show that the model’s third testing opportunity is of comparable accuracy to STAAR scores. However, further testing over the next 2-3 years is needed to fully assess its viability and impact. The Committee recommends continuing the pilot program to explore how through-year assessments could improve testing efficiency, reduce testing time by 30 minutes, and offer more meaningful interim data.

5. Advancing Postsecondary Readiness and Advanced Coursework: With more students participating in advanced courses like AP and dual-credit programs, Texas is making strides in preparing students for postsecondary success. However, challenges remain in ensuring these courses translate to college credit. The Committee highlights issues such as inconsistencies between different types of advanced course credits, limited advising, and unclear guidance on credit applicability. To address these gaps, the Committee recommends improving advising structures, setting better student-to-advisor ratios, increasing investment in programs like the FAST program for dual-credit courses, and expanding data collection to track student outcomes and improve course alignment.

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