Texas Mathematics Teacher Spring/Summer 2021 - 21

TCTM Government Relations Update
Spring/Summer 2021
Tracene Nechamkin, TCTM Government Relations Representative
87th Legislative Session
The Texas Legislature convened on January 12 for its 2021 session. The Texas House and Senate have put precautions
into place for members and invited guests, including all who enter the Capitol must take a Covid-19 test and Texas State
Troopers will be guarding the Capitol. During the first days of session, the House and Senate will vote on the rules that
will govern their chambers. Some items of question will include giving Texans the options to watch committee hearings
and offer testimony virtually.
Texas House Speaker: Dade Phelan (R)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Senate committee assignments for the 87th Legislature.
Three Priorities for the Agenda
The three priorities that have emerged for the agenda are the budget ($950 million deficit), redistricting (delay in 2020
census; now due to states for redistricting by April 1, 2021), and the pandemic. Census delays due to Covid-19 may result
in one or two special sessions.
See the TCTM Government Relations Blog at https://www.tctmonline.org/blog for a list of bills to watch that relate to
mathematics education.
State Board of Education (SBOE) Updates
New faces on the SBOE
* District 5 - (San Marcos Area)
Rebecca Bell-Metereau, San Marcos - D
* District 6 - (Houston)
Will Hickman, Houston - R
* District 8 - (Greater Houston/Southeast Texas)
Audrey Young, Nacogdoches - R
Find your representative here.
Texas Education Association - Things to watch
* Student Assessment Contract
Cambium Assessment, Inc., along with Pearson have been awarded the student assessment contract effective
September 1, 2021. Cambium will host and manage the testing platform while Pearson will be responsible for item
development and test form construction.
TEA feasibility study for 100% online testing was due 12/1. What happens next depends on the legislature but
Cambium (and technology access due to Covid) make it more feasible for online testing to be required by 2022-2023.
HB 3906 requires action by the Legislature in order for the plan to move forward. TEA Announcement
* A-F Ratings Pause
On December 10, 2020, TEA announced that A-F ratings will be paused for the 2020-21 school year. The test will
proceed for the year for data purposes. TEA is providing flexibility for those schools that incorporate STAAR results
into teacher evaluations.
* 26 Texas Schools Receive 2020 National Blue Ribbon Honors
List is available under Agency News on TEA Website.
* Covid-19 Support Website
TEA has set up a Covid-19 support site with Public Health Order that includes Public Health Orders, K-12 COVID-19
Testing Project, Case and Test Reporting and other information such as vaccinations. Website Link
* TEKS Revision plan was revised in September 2019. CTE courses that qualify for mathematics credit will be
considered alongside mathematics TEKS review and revision.
TEKS Review in 2021-22 school year
TEKS Adoption in 2022-23 school year
Instructional materials review in 2023-24 school year
Instructional materials adoption in 2024-25 school year
Instructional materials and revised TEKS implementation 2025-26 school year
www.tctmonline.org
Spring/Summer 2021

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Texas Mathematics Teacher Spring/Summer 2021

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