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Committee advances package of education bills on testing, teacher supports and access to AP exams
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Summary
A committee forwarded a set of education bills, including measures on AI use in classrooms, temporary virtual instruction during testing, caps on teacher professional development hours, AP exam access, and teacher induction; most passed unanimously or near‑unanimously.
A legislative committee advanced a slate of education-related bills, moving them out of committee with 'do pass' recommendations after brief presentations and limited questioning.
Among the measures the committee advanced were: Senate Bill 1734 (restrictions on certain AI tools in schools, except for educator-directed uses); Senate Bill 1630 (allowing up to one day of virtual instruction for students completing statewide assessments); a PCS to Senate Bill 1894 (capping some professional development requirements for teachers under certain experience thresholds); Senate Bill 1975 (ensuring access to a physical proctored location for Advanced Placement exams and access to the state’s online platform, Horizons); Senate Bill 1432 (removing pilot/sunset language for an alternative certification path); Senate Bill 1437 (physical fitness testing guidance); Senate Bill 1812 (making benchmark assessment results for K–8 available to parents); Senate Bill 346 (modifying teacher background check processes); Senate Bill 710 (expanding Teach Forward to additional providers if funds are available); Senate Bill 1489 (professional development for principals regarding IDEA compliance and a parental bill of rights); Senate Bill 1614 (teacher induction PCS requested by the State Department of Education); and Senate Bill 2045 (a recess bill prohibiting recess being used as punishment, with a 30‑minute recess provision).
Most bills saw unanimous or near‑unanimous committee support: multiple measures passed with 11‑0 or 12‑0 tallies as recorded in the meeting; SB1250 (library material review) was a notable exception, passing 8‑2 after more extensive questioning. Committee clerks reported the votes during the session; sponsors explained measures and answered brief technical and implementation questions.
Key quotes and points: Pro Tem Moore described SB1734 as a restriction on AI classroom tools, saying it would 'prohibit... AI tools from being used in public districts for instruction and education purposes except through educator directed uses.' Chairman Caldwell presented the PCS for SB1614, noting the amendment was a late request from the State Department of Education tied to the budget process and aimed to create a teacher induction program for new and emergency-certified teachers.
What’s next: Each bill will continue through the legislative process; bills reported 'do pass' from committee will proceed to later committee work or the chamber floor according to the legislative calendar.
