Appropriations committee advances bill defining 'opportunity gaps' to committee of the whole

The House Appropriations Committee voted to send Senate Bill 170 to the Committee of the Whole after a discussion over how the bill defines “opportunity gaps.” The motion to advance the bill passed 8–2, with one member excused.

Representative Bacon, the bill sponsor, summarized the bill’s working definition, saying it addresses “disparities in students’ access to educational opportunities and disparities in academic outcomes, including, but not limited to, achievement, growth, graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness experienced by groups of students based on factors such as race, socioeconomic status, geography, disability status, and English learner status.” Bacon said the bill recognizes both internal and external factors that affect learning, including access to supports, high-quality instruction and stable environments.

Opponents raised procedural and policy concerns. Representative Soper said he would vote no not because of the sponsor’s work but because he believed the Department of Education should be the central body addressing those disparities, telling the committee, “I’m going to be a no vote … this seems like it should be the central goal, within that department.” Representative Taggart criticized sections he said proposed adding fractional FTEs for facilitation and data work, calling such requests “ridiculous” and arguing the department should use existing staff.

With amendment phase closed and no amendments offered in committee, Representative Titone moved to advance the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. The clerk recorded individual responses that produced the announced tally: eight yes, two no (Bottoms and Soper) and one excused (Zocai).

The bill will next be considered by the Committee of the Whole.