Texas legislative session yields victories for public education

The Texas Legislature convened from January to June of 2015. More than 100 bills passed related to public education.

According to Government Relations Director Ashlea Graves, one of the biggest victories for HISD was the passage of Senate Bill 1004, which gives all school districts in Harris County the ability to work with the four community college systems operating inside its boundaries: Houston Community College, Lone Star, San Jacinto, and Lee.

“We’ve been seeking that flexibility from the state for several years,” she said. “Now our students will be much better off.”

The legislature also passed House Bill 4, which provides $118 million in grant money for half and full-day Pre-K programs.

Click here (.pdf) to see a one-page synopsis of highlights from the session.