Senate Ed Committee Advances Bill Aimed at Censoring, Suing Schools
The Senate Education Committee has passed the so-called ‘parental bill of rights’ (SB 489 / AB 510). The bill to make it easier to censor educators and sue school districts. The bill passed the Assembly in January.
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Roundup: Other Bills Passed by Senate Education Committee
Maintaining Supply of Opioid Antagonist (SB 206 / AB 223). This bill has also passed the Assembly Education Committee.
Hiring Unlicensed Administrators (SB 335 / AB 342). Allows districts to hire administrators not licensed by the DPI. This bill has also passed the Assembly Education Committee.
Alternative Teacher Certification (SB 742 / AB 758). This bill removes the requirement that an alternative teacher certification program for an initial license to teach be operated by a non-stock, non-profit organization for purposes of an initial license to teach. There is currently no companion bill in the Assembly.
State Aid Adjustments under Open Enrollment (SB 653 / AB 680). This bill would increase the full-time open enrollment program transfer amount for the 2024-25 school year is $10,000. The transfer amount, adjusted annually, is currently the amount equal to the sum of any per-pupil revenue limit increase that applies to school districts in that school year and any per member increase in categorical aids between the current school year and the previous school year. This year’s transfer amount is $8,618. This bill has also passed the Assembly Education Committee.
Student Teaching Requirement (SB 917 / AB 1005). WEAC analysis shows this bill lacks comprehensive approaches to apprenticeship, ignoring the significant amount of work that has already been done at both the DPI and the Department of Labor, which go far beyond the scope of this bill. The bill also ignores the significant amount of financial and technical support federal agencies have given for apprenticeship programs in many fields beyond education in the past three years under President Biden’s direction. This bill does little to make apprenticeship, a concept WEAC endorses when done well, a practical reality because it lacks any funding support. The Assembly Ed Committee has held a public hearing.
Youth Membership Groups (SB 549 / AB 592). This would allow representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership groups, such as the Boy Scouts, to provide information to pupils on public school property during school hours.
