Educate Texas - Philanthropy Advocates

Philanthropy Advocates was formerly known as the Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium (TEGAC) until August 2020. Previously-created resources, documents and blog posts mentioning TEGAC are still provided on this website for your reference.

Recap: State Board of Education (SBOE) Meeting

Notes on the November 18 SBOE Meeting

The SBOE (State Board of Education) met on Friday, November 18. Board Chairman, Kevin Ellis, welcomed members and outlined the meeting’s discussion around STAAR redesign, school safety standards, and recommendations from the board for the upcoming 88^th Legislative Session.

Recap: Texas Early Learning Council (TELC) Quarterly Meeting

Notes on the Council's October 21 Meeting

The Texas Early Learning Council (TELC) met on Friday, October 21. Reagan Miller, Chair of the Council and Director of the Child Care and Early Learning Division with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), outlined the meeting’s discussion around the work of the Council’s data roadmap work group and funding updates regarding child care ahead of the 88^th Legislative Session.

Recap: The Texas Commission on Community College Finance (TxCCCF) Meeting

Finalized recommendations from the Texas Commission on Community College Finance

The Texas Commission on Community College Finance met on Tuesday, October 18, to finalize their set of recommendations to the Texas Legislature.

Recap: State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) Meeting

Notes on the September 29 SBEC Meeting

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) met on Thursday, September 29 for a work session, and again on Friday, September 30 for their regular meeting. Thursday’s session was focused around edTPA and teacher performance assessment options. With State Board of Education’s (SBOE) rejection of edTPA in July, SBOE will discuss next steps for moving forward with edTPA.

Recap: Joint Public and Higher Education Committee Interim Hearing

Notes on the Joint Committee’s September 20 Interim Hearing

The Texas House Public Education Committee and Higher Education Committee met in a Joint Hearing on Tuesday, September 20. Committee chairs framed the discussion on improving the climate for teachers in the state and stated that the day’s testimony would lead to written legislation for the upcoming 88^th Legislative Session.

Recap: Texas Commission on Community College Finance

Notes on the Commission's September 12 Meeting

The Texas Commission on Community College Finance met on Monday, September 12 to discuss the Commission’s recently released draft policy recommendations.

Recap: House Public Education Committee Interim Hearing

Notes on the Committee's August 8 Interim Hearing

The Texas House Public Education Committee met on Tuesday, August 9. Chairman Dutton welcomed the committee and anchored the discussion by addressing the two interim charges that would be addressed – the unfulfilled recommendations of the 2016 Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability and the Implementation of HB 3906.

Recap: House Higher Education Committee Interim Hearing

Notes on the Committee's August 9 Interim Hearing

The Texas House Higher Education Committee met on Wednesday, August 10. Chairman Murphy welcomed the Committee and anchored the discussion as an opportunity to discuss interim charges including:

- Monitoring agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction
- SB 1102- TRUE program (Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education grant Program)
- SB 1295- Comprehensive Regional Universities (CRUs)
- Rising costs of higher education
- Reviewing the impact of state investments (Public Universities Fund - PUF).

Testimony: Texas House Committee on Higher Education

TRUE Initiative Provides Exemplars to Build From

Read our written testimony on the Texas House Committee on Higher Education interim charge relating to monitoring Senate Bill 1102.

PDF version available here.

The State of Effective Teaching: Educator Certification Examination

An Overview of the Discussions Surrounding the Future of Texas Educator Certification Examination

As educators across the state are gearing up to begin a new school year – conversations as to how best equip future Texas Teachers continue to be had by various state agencies. Effective teaching is a key priority of Philanthropy Advocates. We have prepared an overview of the ongoing state regulatory discussions impacting educator certification examination at the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and State Board of Education (SBOE).

Recap: Texas House Committee on Public Education

Notes on the Committee’s July 25 and 26 Meeting

The Texas House Committee on Public Education met on July 25 and 26 to discuss interim charges. Read a recap of these meeting.

Recap: Texas Early Learning Council (TELC) Meeting

Notes on the Council's July 15 Meeting

The Texas Early Learning Council (TELC) met on Friday, July 15. Reagan Miller, Chair of the Council and Director of the Child Care and Early Learning Division with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), welcomed members and outlined the meeting’s discussion around the work of the data roadmap work group, and the opportunity to hear public comment and updates from TELC members.

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