INSIDE THE CAPITOL WITH SENATOR GARCIA
A Spotlight on Education
Tuesday, March 3, 2015

EDUCATION IN THE 84TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION

I am extremely proud to sit on the Senate Committee on Education this legislative session because I feel that the quality of our education system is the most important issue facing Texas. Texas ranks nearly last in high school graduation rates and SAT scores, and much of the problem stems from a lack of investment in our kids and our state's future. It is unacceptable that Texas ranks 43rd in the nation in expenditures for public schools. If we do not invest in our kids now, we will pay the price later. A lack of education today leads to unemployment tomorrow. If we are going to turn the tide, we must look at education as a top priority in the 84th Legislature. Additionally, we need to find ways to do more with what we have. As such, I am working on two bills that would help the state better utilize the resources that we have to provide our kids with the education they need to succeed.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Studies have shown that a child’s first four years are the most important in brain development. This means that a child’s ability to succeed later in life is often determined before they arrive to their first day of kindergarten. Because of this, it is imperative that we ensure kids have access to high quality daycare and pre-k. Recently, Governor Abbot declared that expanding pre-k is one of his top priorities for the session, and proposed increasing funding by $118 million. While this falls short of what is needed to offer free all day pre-k throughout Texas, it is a step in the right direction. In regards to daycare, I am working on a bill that would increase training standards for daycare employees. Currently, daycare workers are only required to acquire 24 hours of training to care for children, which is shocking when considering that nail technicians require 600 hours of training to do nails!

A MESSAGE FROM SYLVIA: EDUCATION FUNDING

Texas’ failure to adequately invest in our education system is the biggest challenge we face, but there is also the problem of inequitable school funding. Available funds are not distributed equally among school districts across the state, causing some districts to thrive and others to struggle. Unfortunately, the struggling schools are in low-income neighborhoods, making it tough for these students to compete. To address this issue, school districts have joined to sue the state for a fair funding formula. If the court determines that our current system is not equitable, it will be up to the legislature to determine a new formula. While we await the court’s decision, I have decided to be proactive by filing a bill that would lay the groundwork for a new formula. SB 556 requires the Texas Education Agency to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing weights, allotments, and adjustments in the school finance system.

AN UPDATE ON SENATOR GARCIA'S EDUCATION BILLS

SB 56
Status: In Committee
- Requires the Texas Education Agency to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing components weights, allotments, and adjustments in the school finance system
- Lays the groundwork for what actions the legislature can take once there is a final ruling on school finance litigation

Early Education Bill
Status: Drafting
- Improves child care teacher training
- Increases the number of pre-service training hours required from 8 to 24 hours before the child care teacher is given responsibility for children
- Focuses on components of quality that matter most; ensures training is obtained from highly professional sources