HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOTICE OF FORMAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

COMMITTEE:    Public Education
             Interim Charge 3 

TIME & DATE:  N/A
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 

PLACE:       N/A 
CHAIR:       Rep. Dan Huberty 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and challenges in scheduling public hearings at this time, the House Committee on Public Education is conducting necessary oversight functions through an information gathering process under Section 301.014, Government Code.

This is notice that the House Committee on Public Education is seeking information and input from state agencies, interested parties, and the public in regard to the topics and questions outlined below. Submissions received in response to this request will be transmitted to members of the committee and posted on the House website.

The Committee seeks responses to the topics and questions outlined below from the following state agencies: Texas Education Agency, Texas State Auditor’s Office, and the Legislative Budget Board.

Submission Guidelines

·                Submissions must be in Microsoft Word, written in a 10-point font or larger.

·                Please submit a separate document for each topic to which you are responding.

·                Submissions are to be limited to 5 pages of text in length.

·                Submissions must be submitted via e-mail to education@house.texas.gov

Please include the following information in the submission email: submitter name, organization, or entity (if applicable and an authorized representative), mailing address, email, and telephone number.

The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

Comments received in response to this Request for Information will be publicly posted on TLO, TLIS, and the House website. When submitting comments, please remove any personal identifying information, such as your personal phone number, residence address, or e-mail address.

Topics:

Interim Charge 3: Monitor the progress of the TEA's compliance with the Corrective Action Response required by the United States Department of Education, the implementation of the state's Special Education Strategic Plan, and the state’s compliance with other federal requirements regarding special education, including maintenance of state financial support for special education. Recommend solutions to barriers the agency, school districts, students with disabilities, and parents face in accessing a free and appropriate public education and in meeting the milestones of the plan and any measures needed at the state level to ensure that students with disabilities are being located, fully evaluated, and appropriately identified for special education instruction and services.

In the event it becomes feasible to safely conduct a public meeting, the Committee reserves the right to hold an in-person hearing on these charges.