Andrea Brauer

March 14, 2015

Early Childhood, Reports & Briefs, Testimony

Establish an Office of Early Learning at the Texas Education Agency

Andrea Brauer

March 14, 2015

Early Childhood, Reports & Briefs, Testimony

With more and more research pointing to the benefits of early education, many states have strengthened efforts by consolidating agency functions or creating a separate early learning agency.

Alice Bufkin

March 13, 2015

Child Health, Early Childhood, Blog

How - And Why - Texas Legislature Should Support Breastfeeding

Alice Bufkin

March 13, 2015

Child Health, Early Childhood, Blog

This session the Texas Legislature has the opportunity to increase the number of babies and toddlers receiving breast milk by helping make worksites breastfeeding-friendly. A hearing scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th on bills by Representatives Farrar and Walle will be a key step in the process.

Andrea Brauer

March 11, 2015

Early Childhood, Blog

Report from Tuesday's Pre-k Hearing

Andrea Brauer

March 11, 2015

Early Childhood, Blog

Yesterday the House Public Education Committee took up the major pre-K bills for the session. Here's our take on the hearing and where we need to go from here.

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

House Public Education Committee on House Bill 173

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

Testimony to the House Public Education Committee

I am here today to testify for HB 173. Representative Alvarado recognizes that the state lacks data on its pre-K programs, and as a result, we do not have an accurate picture of the current situation in Texas, or needs that should be addressed.

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

House Public Education Committee on House Bill 4

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

Testimony to House Public Education Committee

We are concerned that the funding identified still would not restore Texas to 2011 pre-K funding levels.

Alice Bufkin

March 10, 2015

Child Health, Op-Eds

Lawmakers should focus on strengthening social safety net

Alice Bufkin

March 10, 2015

Child Health, Op-Eds

Two months into 2015, we've already seen a series of reports highlighting some of the biggest challenges facing the most vulnerable families in our state.

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

House Public Education Committee on House Bill 1188

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

Testimony to the House Public Education Committee on HB 1188

I am here today to testify on HB 1188, and appreciate that Rep. Deshotel recognizes that Texas' early childhood education system is fragmented.

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

House Public Education Committee on House Bill 1100

Andrea Brauer

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

Testimony to House Public Education Committee For HB 1100

We appreciate the depth of quality improvements that are a part of this bill, and the funding attached that would help districts to achieve higher quality. However, while teacher aides are addressed in the bill, the bill does not address the quality improvements for lead teachers.

Texans Care for Children

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

House Public Education Committee on House Bill 296

Texans Care for Children

March 10, 2015

Early Childhood, Testimony

Testimony to House Public Education Committee for HB 296

We appreciate the strong quality standards included in Representative Wu's bill. Class size caps, teacher-student ratios, and increased training for teachers would raise the level of quality of Texas pre-K programs.

Peter Clark

March 9, 2015

Child Protection, Press Releases

Following Foster Care Deaths & Abuse, Monday Hearing on Key Safety Bill

Peter Clark

March 9, 2015

Child Protection, Press Releases

After a year of attention on tragic child deaths and abuse with the very foster families selected to keep Texas children safe, on Monday, March 9 the Texas House Committee on Human Services will hold a hearing on legislation to take a key step towards protecting and supporting children in foster care.