Special to The Leader

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott signed four bills implementing his emergency early education initiative. The Governor hosted an event at Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin, Texas where he ceremonially signed House Bill 4 (Huberty, R-Kingwood; Campbell, R-New Braunfels), which will implement high-quality education standards for Texas Pre-K students. Governor Abbott was joined by students, teachers and several members of the Legislature, including the bills’ authors and sponsors.
“Our children must first learn to read before they can then read to learn, and I applaud the Legislature for recognizing the importance of providing our teachers with the tools necessary to improve literacy instruction by passing SB 925,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “These literacy achievement academies will serve as a catalyst in the transformation of our state’s early education system, and ensure generations of Texas students will receive the highest quality education possible during their critical early learning years.”
In addition to signing HB 4, Governor Abbott signed SB 934, SB 935 and SB 972, which contain his additional early education proposals. The Governor previously signed SB 925, also part of his early education initiative.**
“The time has come for the State of Texas to become number one in the nation for education,” said Governor Abbott. “By signing these bills, we are providing our education system with the tools and resources necessary to build the strongest possible foundation for our early education programs and subsequently, Texas’ future.”

**SB 934 (Kolkhorst R-Brenham; Farney, R-Georgetown): Relating to providing training academies for public school teachers who provide mathematics instruction to students in kindergarten through grade three.
SB 935 (Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Deshotel, D-Beaumont): Relating to the establishment of a reading excellence team pilot program.
SB 972 (Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Deshotel, D-Beaumont): Relating to training academies for public school teachers who provide reading comprehension instruction for students in grades four and five.
On May 21, 2015 Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 925 (Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Aycock, R- Killeen), which establishes literacy achievement academies to provide high-quality, face-to-face professional development to public school teachers who instruct students in kindergarten through third grade.