House Public Education 3-31-09

This meeting of the House Public Education Committee heard some emotionally charged testimony on bills dealing with student discipline and sexual education.  House Bill 171 by Olivo which is related to determining appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against a public school student and HB 1323 by Strama which would add bullying through electronic means to the education code both received testimony from parents and students who would have benefitted from these bills.  Testimony for HB 741 by Castro which requires medically accurate information to be included in sexual education and HB 1567 by Villarreal  which requires abstinence to be taught as the healthiest (rather than preferred) choice of behavior when it comes to sexual activity lasted several hours.  The committee heard from numerous health care providers about the state of teenage health and sexual activity in the state as well as from students and their opinions about the quality of sexual education they receive. 

Other bills of interest included HB 1313 by Representative Giddings which would prevent some students from being taught by new teachers or teachers without proper certification for two years in a row. Duncan Klussmann representing TSA and David Anthony with Cy-Fair ISD both testified on this bill.  Also heard was HB 1693 by Hochberg which is related to the adoption of standards for school financial accounting software.  Amanda Brownson registered for this bill on behalf of Moak, Casey & Associates.